Are Lovebugs Harmful to Pets If Eaten?

Despite our best efforts, it's hard to ensure our pets don't eat things they shouldn't. While parents can control human foods and household items, walktime can be dangerous for overly curious pets. Although many may focus on making sure their pets don't nab a plastic bag or piece of trash, small pests and insects are another concern for parents, especially during warm weather.

One of those pesky insects to watch out for is the lovebug. Also known as march flies, lovebugs are black-bodied insects with red heads that can be quite a nuisance due to their swarming behavior. Found in the southeastern United States, these insects are well known for mating in flight and remaining coupled for several days.

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Since lovebugs are attracted to heat and sunlight, they tend to swarm in large numbers, posing a significant annoyance during the summer season. While they aren't known to bite pets or humans, their large numbers make it easy for pets to encounter them while outdoors. Like any other insect, it's important to keep an eye out for small creatures your pet might swallow during walks or playtime. Knowing how lovebugs can affect pets if they are eaten is important to ensure your companions stay safe all year long.

Are Lovebugs Dangerous?

According to pest experts, lovebugs don't pose a serious threat to anyone, but can damage your vehicle. Because lovebugs don't sting or bite, their primary warning is the annoyance they can cause as they swarm in large groups. Swarms can become so thick that drivers may struggle to see, posing an indirect danger.

Swarms can leave highly acidic tar-like splatters on cars. These splatters can burn the paint and plastic of your car after 24 hours, leaving you with quite the paint job afterward. In more extreme cases, lovebugs can clog radiators and cause engine overheating, though this is highly unlikely.

Are Lovebugs Toxic to Pets?

Just as with humans, lovebugs aren't known for biting, stinging, or transmitting diseases to pets. While they aren't toxic to pets, they can cause various issues if eaten in large quantities, which isn't uncommon given their tendency to swarm.

According to Community Animal Hospitals, lovebugs can cause problems when consumed in large quantities, including an upset stomach, intestinal blockage, or mouth/throat irritation. Because of their hard bodies, pets who have consumed large quantities of lovebugs might have trouble passing them, leading to blockages and stomach aches.

Because lovebugs gather near cars and garages, pets can also be exposed to chemicals nearby. While many of these issues can be easily resolved, it's still worth keeping a close eye on pets during the lovebugs' mating season.

What Symptoms Should You Watch For?

If you aren't sure whether your pet has eaten lovebugs, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling or pawing at the mouth, decreased interest in food, lethargy or difficulty going potty. Pet parents who witness any of these symptoms, especially during mating season in May or September, should contact their vet for further care.

When Should You Call a Vet?

Pet parents should contact their vet if their pet seems uncomfortable or is vomiting repeatedly. If you've found that your pet has consumed large quantities of lovebugs, it's recommended that you seek guidance on how to proceed. While not toxic, it's best to keep an eye on your pet if they've had more than a few of these pesky insects.

How Can You Prevent It?

While it's difficult to prevent large swarms, pet parents can help keep their pets from grabbing lovebug snacks. This includes keeping pets indoors if you witness swarms in the surrounding area.

Since lovebugs dislike citrus, pet parents can spray a citrus spray mix on windows, doors and patios to prevent them from lingering near your pets' spaces. Because lovebugs are more active during the day, limit your pet's outdoor time in backyards until later in the day.

Related: 7 Wildlife Animals You Can Actually Own as Pets-but Should You?

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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 5:40 PM.