On Balconies, Clothes, and Walls They Leave Black Marks... Zagreb Residents Don't Know How to Get Rid of Them

Zagreb residents are grappling with a pervasive infestation of oak lace bugs, which have become a significant nuisance across the city.

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Does anyone have problems with them? I can't get rid of them. Balcony curtains, laundry on the line... There are a lot of them. It seems to me there are more now than in previous years.

Citizens have taken to social media to voice their frustration, reporting the bugs' presence on balconies, curtains, freshly washed laundry, and even on themselves after walks or bike rides. Many residents feel the number of bugs this summer is considerably higher than in previous years. One user on Reddit described the problem, stating, "Does anyone have problems with them? I can't get rid of them. Balcony curtains, laundry on the line... There are a lot of them. It seems to me there are more now than in previous years."

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I literally have to spend more than ten minutes removing bugs from the laundry before taking it off the balcony.

The bugs leave behind unsightly black spots on light-colored clothing, curtains, and walls, which are proving difficult to remove. Another resident lamented, "I literally have to spend more than ten minutes removing bugs from the laundry before taking it off the balcony." Some believe the infestation is worse this year than ever before, with one person noting, "Every year there are more and more of them," while another observed entire clouds of bugs passing by their house.

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Every year there are more and more of them.

Explanations for the increased presence point to the bugs' feeding habits. Oak lace bugs feed on tree sap. During hot and dry periods, when moisture in plants decreases, the bugs become more active and tend to fly towards balconies, clothing, animals, and people. Furthermore, these bugs are an invasive species originating from North America, and their spread across Europe in recent decades has made permanent control challenging. While humorous "combat methods" like sticky traps and even flamethrowers have been jokingly suggested in online discussions, residents are seeking effective solutions to this persistent summer problem.

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On light-colored clothing, curtains, and walls, they leave black spots that are impossible to remove.