Insects squashed on your windscreen

[Astacus]

It’s been years since I had to clean the squashed insects off the windscreen of a car. But this week my screen became covered in tiny carcasses.

It’s actually quite heartening to see the numbers coming back.

Anyone else noticed an increase in creepy crawley carnage?

[Randy Winkman]

Monty Don mentioned the large number of insects this year on BBC Gardener's World 2 weeks ago. Didn't go into why that was but I assumed it was the dry weather in the spring for lots of the UK.

[Mikebentley]

Yep, did a 500 mile round trip in the blunt faced Defender last Friday and car was covered. Not seen that for years.

[GeniusOfLove]

Yeah I've been noticing it, let's hope it's the start of a trend because the drop off has been quite alarming.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Was certainly noted in the Le Mans 24hr race, some of the windscreens looked horrendous.

[Robertb]

We are overrun here by mosquitoes.

They can fk off.

[Terminator X]

Same, few years with almost none and this year the car is peppered.

TX.

[Dog Star]

Noticed the same thing.

For a long time - at least a decade - they’ve not been many.

[Astacus]

I wonder whether this is the result of the ban on neonicotinoid insecticides since 2018. Those things are incredibly toxic to insects.

[Riley Blue]

In May 2019 I drove from Land's End to John O'Groats and needed to clean my car's windscreen a couple of times every day because of bug splatter.

Having driven from Derbyshire to Norfolk and back in two days this week I cleaned the screen when I got home i.e. it doesn't seem any worse based on those trips.

[Randy Winkman]

My guess is that it's quite specific based on weather/climate this spring and isn't because of an increase in insects that will be sustained. That is, unless the climate/weather pattern repeats.

[STe_rsv4]

Do all bugs have constant life cycles i.e. hatching at the same time every year?
I know a few year back we had a crane fly "plague" where it only happens every 17 years or so but all of the eggs buried in the earth hatch at the same time and you are overrun with crane flies for 3 days.

[Dog Star]

Astacus said:

I wonder whether this is the result of the ban on neonicotinoid insecticides since 2018. Those things are incredibly toxic to insects.

I mentioned this phenomenon to Mrs DS last night - she’s a chemist/pharmacologist (toxicologist) in agrochems and develops this stuff. The above is the first thing she said as well.

[isaldiri]

Dog Star said:

Astacus said:

I wonder whether this is the result of the ban on neonicotinoid insecticides since 2018. Those things are incredibly toxic to insects.

I mentioned this phenomenon to Mrs DS last night - she s a chemist/pharmacologist (toxicologist) in agrochems and develops this stuff. The above is the first thing she said as well.

Ah. Fascinating that. Hopefully it'll be the start of a trend to restore what was lost and hopefully have an improvement for some of the hirundines (especially) and order birds where numbers have really declined a lot in the past years.

[Riley Blue]

isaldiri said:

Dog Star said:

Astacus said:

I wonder whether this is the result of the ban on neonicotinoid insecticides since 2018. Those things are incredibly toxic to insects.

I mentioned this phenomenon to Mrs DS last night - she s a chemist/pharmacologist (toxicologist) in agrochems and develops this stuff. The above is the first thing she said as well.

Ah. Fascinating that. Hopefully it'll be the start of a trend to restore what was lost and hopefully have an improvement for some of the hirundines (especially) and order birds where numbers have really declined a lot in the past years.

If that's correct I really don't mind having to clean windscreens more often, it was lovely to see hirundines swooping overhead on our Norfolk trip.

[QuattroDave]

I've noticed the same over the last few weeks. like others I'm really pleased to see it as it means insect numbers are on the increase again and it gives me fond memories of going on family trips with my folks in summer when the windscreen would often be awash with insect splatters of all shapes and sizes!

[LMD_1980]

Whilst we're at it, what's the best product to get them off?

[Dog Star]

There’s all sorts of surfactant foamy things, but the best way I found was a wet, soapy towel. Slap it across windscreen. Go have a coffee, beer etc. come back and they’ll wipe off.

[cb31]

On the Le Mans commentary they said the amount of insects was due to the bird, maybe sparrows, migration happening later due to colder weather. As they weren't here on time they hadn't had chance to eat the normal amount of insects.

[Evanivitch]

Had loads, but also been driving a less aerodynamic car this year.

Also loads of aphids, which ants have been enjoying but the ladybirds been somewhat absent.