Ask Lemmy

Insect populations are affected by human urbanization.

In other words, the area you live in has become more developed over the last few decades and has become a poorer ecosystem for insects.

UK here. It's just not a thing any more. I regularly drive - or am a passenger - on a ~200 mile round trip and insect strikes just don't happen.

That said, I recently drove from the North of England to the South of France. Almost as soon as we crossed the Channel we were instantly getting insects splattered on the windscreen to the point we had to refill buy some bright pink no-nonsense washer fluid at the next services. So I assume some counties are more responsible than others with their use of pesticides.

Last time I drove at highway speed: Thursday around 19:40

Every day, over and over and over... I have to keep actual glass cleaner in my car and spray the windshield occasionally—like at stop lights by sticking my arm out the window—because not even the "bug remover" windshield washer fluid works well enough. You need something strong like ammonia to loosen all the protein.

Note: I don't live in a city.

You've activated my "thing". No one seems to have noticed that the bottom of the ecosystem just fucking dropped out.

When I was a child, dad taught me to always clean the windshield when we stopped for gas, and sometimes in between. I have not done this in years, easily more than a decade.

We drive hundreds of miles of back country highway to pick up my kids. Talking the South here, mostly Alabama which is 77% wooded. Nada.

Screw it, I could tell stories for an hour, too depressing to go on.

I drove for 8 hours today, I'd estimate I hit at least 200

Like 2 days ago.

Last week.

But cars tend to have more of a slant to the windows then they used to, so less bugs smack and splatter.

They’re 70-80% gone here since around ‘20, anecdotally as someone who’s driven the same highway corridor day and night.

They still get hit by the vehicle, but there is a profoundly apparent absence.

Almost every day. Rural living.

Not really on my windshield often but my bumper and mirrors are covered within a few miles of driving. Maybe it's an aerodynamics thing?

It’s been years.

A couple of years ago, but I don't drive all that far most days. It sure seems like there are fewer and fewer. For instance, last summer, I saw fireflies for the first time in over a decade. This can't be good.

I live near a metro so its not as noticable but yeah 50 years ago you would get some. More significantly you did not need to go far (you could reach it in a day trip. say within 2 hours away) and you would have your windshield plastered. Basically out were you could see some farmland. Even in the 90's though going to school downstate you did not see much and Every so often I have trips across states and even down south and stays crystal clear. I will note besides insect decline there is a thing were more airodynamic vehicles don't get as many. The air flows around and the insects are more likely to survive. That being said just going camping and such im amazed at how few insects there are. I used to get eaten alive.

sadly, global warming is killing them. I remember years ago they'd splatter my windshield every commute

Probably well over two decades ago or so.

That was the last time I owned a car.

Was talking about this a few weeks ago. Then we spent a week on the Gulf coast of TX, and the rental car collected a pretty good number of bugs. Not as much as when I was younger, but more than I remember seeing in a long time.

Every time I take a trip out of the city.

Generally, I NEED to clean it every 300 miles due to not being able to see through the sheet of bug-goo covering my windshield.

It's been many years.

Yesterday. It's cicada season.

June bugs are already out here, and I went out last night. Got a bunch still splattered on the windshield rn.

Don't really drive anymore so no idea. If I did it probably would've been within the last 24 hours as at least in this neighborhood the bug problem has gotten atrocious bordering on apocalyptic. My fellow bicycle riders have advised me not to open my mouth on the trail lest ye get an involuntary protein supplement.

Months ago, I don't have a car anymore, at most I drive my dad's.

When I roadtrip my windshield get so fucking nasty every time I stop I have to clean it cause the windshield fluid isn’t enough to degunk everything

They’ve bounced back in our area. For years there was nothing. Now, daily.

A few months ago when I still lived in Brandenburg in Germany (I had to clean my windscreen regularly). Haven't had a single one in Baden-Württemberg. I wonder if the wine growers use more pesticides.

When I lived in England my windscreen was suspiciously empty too.

Not my windshield, but I've hit multiple today with my face and one got in my eye.

Yesterday was the first time I noticed any in a long time.