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Bug splatter—those sticky, smeared remnants on your windshield, grille and headlights—is more than just a messy nuisance. It’s the result of high-speed collisions between your car and airborne insects. At highway speeds, even tiny bugs hit with surprising force, and their soft bodies burst on impact, leaving behind a mix of bodily fluids, enzymes and sometimes pigments that can cling stubbornly to windshields and car paint.
In fact, the exact composition of splatter can vary depending on the insect’s species, diet and even the time of year. Some contain proteins and acids that start to etch into your vehicle’s surface almost immediately, making quick cleanup more than just a cosmetic concern.
Mark Hostetler, an urban wildlife ecologist at the University of Florida and self-described “splatologist,” drove around the country for an entire summer to research birds and cities and thought it was a good opportunity to explore the bugs that hit windshields and headlights and why they happen.
He was so inspired by his observations that he wrote That Gunk on Your Car: A Unique Guide to Insects of North America, a book chronicling the most common bug splats nationwide.
“The whole idea was to write something so people would be interested in insects,” says Hostetler, who wrote his master’s thesis on the cockroach. “People forget the role they play. Every fruit and nut you eat has been pollinated by an insect.”
Overall, most bug splats occur at night. Like the moth, as well as some flies, mosquitoes and beetles, they’re attracted to light and mistake the headlights for moonlight. Flying a mere 4 to 5 feet off the ground, windshields are the perfect height to catch these misguided insects, which unwittingly meet their demise.
Some frequent splatterers, like the lovebug (Plecia nearctica), so-called because they fly together while mating, are daytime fliers. Sunlight hitting car exhaust mimics the scent of decaying organic matter—normally the perfect location for laying eggs—but in the case of cars, it’s a fatal fake-out.
Learn how to protect your car's paint from bug splatter damage with simple preventative measures—check out our article to keep your vehicle looking its best for years to come!
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To the untrained eye, a splat is a splat, but there are a few clues. A splat with a bit of red in it is most likely a female, because they’re the biters. The red? Somebody’s blood, which the female needs for her eggs to develop. A yellow or cream-colored splat that’s strung out is likely a moth or a butterfly.
But here’s something drivers are starting to notice. There’s less bug splatter than there used to be. If you’ve taken the same road trip for years and find your windshield staying unusually clean, you’re not imagining it. Scientists have a name for this strange trend the windshield phenomenon.
The windshield phenomenon refers to the noticeable decline in the number of insects hitting windshields and headlights over time. Decades ago, a long drive in the spring or summer often ended with windshields, grilles and headlights coated in bug splatter.
This trend is raising alarm bells because it may reflect a broader drop in insect populations. A 2019 study in the United Kingdom found a 50% reduction in bugs on front-facing license plates over a 15-year period. Similar monitoring in other countries is showing a comparable decline, particularly in flying insects like moths, beetles and pollinators.
If you're looking for products to help clean your car, AAA Members can save 10%* off the retail price of thousands of quality auto parts and products at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores.
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Ever wonder why bugs seem especially drawn to your headlights and then promptly splatter across them? It turns out, there’s real science behind this high-speed collision course. Here are a few reasons insects can’t seem to stay out of your beams:
Cleaning off bug splatter isn’t always easy. In fact, some insect remains/splatter, especially when combined with bacteria that feed on them, can become acidic and start to damage your vehicle’s paint. A good coat of wax can help create a protective barrier, making splatter easier to remove. But timing matters: the sooner you clean it off, the better.
While soap and water can get the job done, longtime entomologist G.B. Hostetler shares a surprising favorite:
“I hate to say it, but cola is good.”
⚠️ Important: While cola can help remove bug guts from glass, avoid using it on any painted surfaces. The phosphoric acid that breaks down bug residue can also eat away at your car’s clear coat or paint finish.
If you are looking for easy and safe options instead of soda, NAPA Auto Parts has you covered. Newer products are designed to be gentle on car paint finishes while tough on the actual splatter. Here are a few to look for:
Bug splatter might seem like a minor annoyance, but it offers a glimpse into a much larger story about insect behavior, vehicle care and even environmental health. Whether you're scrubbing down after a summer road trip or wondering why your windshield is unusually clean these days, it's worth remembering that every splat tells a story—about nature, about science and about our changing world.
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Most bugs fly low to the ground and are attracted to headlights, heat and exhaust, which puts them directly in your car’s path.
Red splats often indicate female mosquitoes (and sometimes contain blood), while yellow or cream splats suggest moths or butterflies.
Yes. Some bug remains are acidic and can eat into paint or glass if not removed quickly. Prompt cleaning is important.
It can work on windshields but avoid using cola on paint—its acidity can damage your car's finish.
Yes! Look for foaming citrus cleaners, silicone-based sprays, microfiber towels and pH-balanced soaps that are safe for glass and paint.
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