It’s that time of the year where lovebugs take over the real estate of your car’s front bumper. What most people don’t know is that these bugs can damage your car in several ways.

Lovebugs come out twice a year, in May and again in September. Because of their acidic body fluids, they have been notorious for causing damage to paint finishes. Although it is impossible to avoid them, it is possible to avoid potential paint damage to your car.

According to Clemson University research, traveling at slower speeds can reduce the number of lovebugs that splatter on your car. Also, it might seem redundant, but a well-waxed car will lessen paint damage. Regardless, splattered lovebugs should be washed off your car within a day to prevent permanent damage.

Another problem lovebugs present while driving is clogging automobile radiators and engines. Placing a breathable cover over the grill of the car will protect the radiator from overheating and potentially the most destructive way lovebugs could damage your automobile. It is also recommended that motorists actively clean their grill inside and out, including the exposed radiator.

Finally, and most noticeably, lovebugs can obstruct a motorist’s vision when splattered on the windshield. It might sound bizarre, but because of the multitude of lovebugs in the air, this could cause automotive accidents. Traveling at slower speeds could help prevent this from happening too, but having a full windshield fluid tank is just as important. Also, periodically visit your local gas station to clean your windshield manually to avoid being blinded by lovebugs.

Also, it is important to note that lovebugs are active during the daytime from about 10 a.m. until dusk, so plan long trips in the early evening or at night to avoid catching an extreme case of the lovebug.