Summer is a magical aspect of childhood, conjuring to mind the susurrus of crickets, the rush of river song in an old-growth forest, and summers spent by the beach. One of the most nostalgic aspects that can be found right within your yard are fireflies – these short-lived flyers that light up the night sky in the early days of summer – hence the alternate name of lightning bugs.
Unfortunately, fireflies are declining at an alarming rate, with a third facing the threat of extinction. Little attention or effort is dedicated towards their conservation, and while gardeners might not be able to do much to halt their decline, there are ways that they can make their garden more attractive to fireflies.
Where to See Fireflies
Expect to see fireflies emerge anywhere from the third week in May to the third week in June. If the weather is warmer earlier in the season, there’s a likelihood that they may emerge earlier. It’s probable to find a dozen flitting about in humid environments near water like marshes, streams, ponds, and rivers. For the chance to see swarms of fireflies congregating in almost biblical proportions, areas such as the Smoky Mountains will run lotteries for viewing. Rural areas in Pennsylvania or Tennessee will have significant populations that are almost as spectacular, if you’re lucky.
Attracting Fireflies to the Garden
1. Choose Native Plants to Replace Lawns
Fireflies are ephemeral creatures that spend 95% of their life cycle in the larval stage, depending on moist soil for survival. When they emerge as adults, they don’t live long, especially compounded with man-made obstacles – it’s either live or die.
Fireflies seek out leaf litter in shady areas and tall grass, preferring minimal light. Wild areas with an abundance of native grasses and wildflowers are oases where fireflies can blend in, land on, and rest. Closely cropped turf grass is undesirable, lacking both moisture and landing spaces. In general, native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and nectar-rich plants are attractive. Eliminating your lawn not only attracts fireflies, but it will also attract a whole host of other beneficial wildlife, truly rendering it into a hive of animal activity. Raised garden beds can help maintain a favorable environment by concentrating plantings together.
Below are a few native plants that are great for supporting fireflies:
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Oxeye Sunflower: Consisting of a profusion of bright, daisy-like flowers, oxeye sunflower, also known as false sunflower, is a staple for pollinators. It is able to contend with tough soils heavy in clay.
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Forbs: Forbs are a classification that refers to native wildflowers and some weeds. Includes asters, frogfruit, and goldenrod. A common denizen of woodlands and open forests, asters are a delight to grow.
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Native Grasses: Many ornamental grasses feature pliant stalks that offer shelter for fireflies. A popular option, little bluestem grass darkens to bronze in the fall, providing seasonal interest.
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Vines: Vines like morning glory, purple leather flower, and Carolina jessamine create dense, tangled vines that provide shelter, offering a safe, shaded refuge from predators. Allow them to clamber over an arched trellis for thick coverage in no time.
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Pine Trees: If you have enough room, consider planting pine trees, which are surprisingly fertile grounds for fireflies. The dark canopies provide ideal areas for them to sleep and lay their eggs.
2. Turn off the Lights
You may adore the bright lights of the big city, but fireflies don’t. Light pollution, even from house lights, can disrupt firefly mating patterns; decorative landscape lightning is especially harmful, not only to fireflies but also to other nighttime creatures. The solution is to turn off any artificial lights or keep them at a minimum. Be sure to also keep shades drawn to prevent light from spilling out. Motion-detector lights are a good alternative that provides the necessary protection.
3. Assess Soil Health
Once you have implemented the above steps, you should likely have viable vegetation with good garden soil. If you’re just beginning and have subpar soil in the yard, amend it with compost or organic matter. A water feature or even a clean birdbath can supplement efforts in making your garden more amenable to wildlife.
4. Refrain from Using Chemicals
Keeping your garden healthy means foregoing the reliance of chemical fertilizers and broad-spectrum pesticides, which will target soft-bodied insects indiscriminately. A truly healthy garden should not require pesticides, which should only be used as a last resort. A proliferation of pests is a sign of an imbalance, such as an overabundance of food, a lack of natural predators, or unhealthy soil – a garden that is well-tended should not have many infestations.
5. Make Brush and Wood Piles
Refrain from raking your leaves and throwing them onto the curb – this inadvertently harms growing fireflies that rely on leafy detritus for sustenance. Leaf litter and logs provide shelter for many lurking critters, including worms, insects, and slugs. The good thing is that firefly larvae will actually eat slugs, removing them from the food chain so that you won’t have to. Wood and brush piles, with a multitude of dense knots and hidden nooks and crannies, work in a similar fashion.
6. Spread the Word
You may scoff at this, but even just bringing attention to the decline of fireflies among neighbors and acquaintances can matter. Get them to follow simple measures first, such as turning off their lights at night, then inspire them to improve their yard. If you want to take it a step further, advocate for fireflies within your community and participate in community projects focused on conversation.
