Gwangmyeong City Launches Proactive Lovebug Control Using Eco-Friendly Microbial Agents

Gwangmyeong City Holds "Lovebug Control Measures Meeting"

Review of Pest Control Status and Response Plans by Department

Emergency Pest Control Response Team of Eight Departments Activated

Strengthening Integrated Response in Forested and Residential Areas

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province is launching a proactive pest control initiative using eco-friendly microbial pesticides to reduce citizen inconvenience caused by the mass emergence of lovebugs (Pyrrhocoris apterus) during the summer season.

Gwangmyeong City will carry out proactive pest control using eco-friendly microbial dispersants to reduce citizen inconvenience caused by the mass occurrence of lovebugs (red-backed true flies) during the summer season. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

On the afternoon of May 21, the city held a "Lovebug Control Measures Meeting" in the city hall conference room, presided over by Choi Hyemin, acting mayor (deputy mayor) of Gwangmyeong City, to review the progress of pest control operations and response plans of each department.

This meeting was organized to establish a proactive pest control system and to strengthen cooperation among relevant departments ahead of June, the peak season for lovebug outbreaks.

In particular, the city plans to focus on preemptive control by using eco-friendly microbial pesticides that suppress the proliferation of lovebugs at the larval stage.

This pesticide, provided by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, is an eco-friendly biological microbial agent (Bti) that selectively targets the larvae of certain fly species. When lovebug larvae ingest it, the toxin is activated in their intestines, inhibiting larval growth and survival.

Field verification experiments by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment confirmed the effectiveness of this agent in reducing the number of larvae in the soil before large outbreaks occur, and it is currently being used in parts of Incheon and Seoul.

The city plans to spray the eco-friendly microbial pesticide, focusing on forested areas within its jurisdiction.

Previously, the city designated the period from May to July as the "Lovebug Intensive Control Period" and initiated a comprehensive response system.

The city operates an "Emergency Pest Control Response Team" consisting of eight departments related to pest control, including the Environmental Management Division, Infectious Disease Control Division, Safety Management Division, and Garden City Division, promoting on-site response through an organic collaboration system between departments.

During the meeting, each department shared the status and future plans for pest control operations, with a particular focus on examining collaborative systems for on-site response.

The Safety Management Division is conducting regular monitoring and pest control activities in cooperation with voluntary disaster prevention groups across 18 neighborhoods. The Garden City Division is focusing on blocking larval habitats by collecting fallen leaves and leaf litter from forest edges and flower beds and removing sediment from drainage channels.

In addition, sticky traps are being installed mainly along hiking trails near residential areas, and adult moth attractant traps are also being installed and operated in some residential vicinities. The Forest Disaster Response Team is continuously inspecting the operation of these facilities and the status of pest control during patrols.

The Infectious Disease Control Division has provided pest control chemicals to management offices of apartment complexes, while the Housing Division is encouraging pest control in residential areas. In other regions, the Infectious Disease Control Division is carrying out pest control directly.

Starting in June, the city plans to further strengthen on-site response, especially in areas where adult lovebugs are detected. Once their presence is confirmed, the city will immediately conduct intensive spraying, and in the event of large outbreaks, it will quickly respond by combining insecticides and other chemicals as needed.

Choi Hyemin, acting mayor, stated, "We are implementing proactive control measures starting at the larval stage to minimize citizen inconvenience caused by lovebugs," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure that citizens can live in a more pleasant environment through active pest control and prompt removal of insect remains."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.