6 Ways to Encourage Fireflies in Your Yard

Fireflies were always something that I loved seeing as a kid. My friends and I would love to try to catch them when we went camping. I can remember when I was maybe around eight or nine, and I finally worked up the courage to let one land on my finger. Watching the little bug glow on and off, right in front of my eyes, was something that really stuck with me.

As I got older, I began to notice that I did not see fireflies as much. Perhaps it was because when we were camping, we were outside of the city, and the fireflies were just much more prevalent. I can hardly remember seeing fireflies around my own backyard, and now that I am married and living in my own home, I realized that fireflies were just not common. And so, I set out to try and figure out why. Was the firefly population just dying out? Was there something about being in town that just discouraged them from being here?

It seems that nearly everything about living in the middle of a town could discourage the lightning bugs I loved so much! However, I was also ecstatic to learn that it did not have to be that way. With just a few simple tips, you can help your own backyard host its own firefly population!

Ever since putting these tips into practice I have noticed a drastic increase in the number of fireflies around my backyard. I love sitting in my bedroom, window open as I fold clothes, and just watch the little lights dancing across the yard. It’s calming and almost therapeutic to me, and I hope that you are able to get your very own lightning bugs in your backyard, too!

1. Let the lawn grow

Fireflies love to rest on long blades of grass during the day, so if you want to encourage the firefly population where you live, it’s best to keep your lawn long. This could mean setting your mower to the highest setting (helping to be sure you do not kill the fireflies down in the grass when you mow) and not mowing as frequently.

You could also try to keep a section of your lawn “natural.” This may be more difficult if you live in cities where you need to maintain your lawn. However, if you can shelter an area in your backyard, free from the lawn mower, weedwhacker, etc., you will help to build a space where they can live peacefully.

Another idea is to plant some ornamental grasses around your backyard. These clusters of grass are perfect for the fireflies to spend the days in, without fear of being run over by the lawn mower or stepped on.

2. Provide the fireflies a source of water

Like all animals, fireflies need to drink. If your yard is void of a water source for the insects, chances are they will move on until they find somewhere that provides this.

It’s fairly simple to keep a water source in your backyard. Bird baths do the trick, as well as simply keeping a bowl of water consistently filled. Backyard ponds and water fountains are also great sources of water for the glowing bugs.

3. Provide the fireflies a food source

Fireflies live most of their lives (about 95%!) as larvae. This lasts about 1-2 years, and during that time they are voracious eaters! Firefly larvae like to eat snails, worms, and slugs.

If you are trying to encourage the population of fireflies in your backyard, avoid using chemicals that would kill these invertebrate. You can also keep a brush pile in your yard, giving the snails, slugs, and firefly larvae a damp, leafy place to live.

4. Plant native trees

Planting native pine trees is another great way to encourage fireflies into your yard. The adults rest on the branches of the trees, and the thick canopies help to block out artificial light, aiding the fireflies in mating and avoiding predators.

As the pine trees drop their needles, they create a bedding of decomposing needles beneath that are perfect habitats for the larvae and the invertebrates they eat.

5. Keep a wood pile

A wood pile is a simple addition to a yard that really aids fireflies. The rotting wood is the perfect place for them to rest and lay their eggs. The damp wood is a great place for snail and slugs, and so the firefly larvae can have an easy feast.

If you can’t have an entire wood pile, consider leaving a few logs or branches under your trees, as this works just as well!

6. Avoid Bright Lights

It’s commonly thought that fireflies are attracted to dark places. This could be because bright lights affect their own shine, making it harder for them to find mates or to hide from predators.

It can be helpful to your fireflies if you keep bright lights out of your yard. If you live in a place with a lot of light pollution, you may consider planted hedges or trees to block the light from neighboring properties.

References

Awi-Admin. “4 Ways to Attract Lightning Bugs to Your Yard.” American Native Plants. Last modified July 4, 2019. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://www.americannativeplants.com/4-ways-to-attract-lightning-bugs-to-your-yard/.

Ljmarkson. “Nurturing a Firefly Habitat Also Helps Restore Nature.” NurtureNativeNature. Last modified June 15, 2023. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://www.nurturenativenature.com/post/nurturing-a-firefly-habitat-also-helps-restore-nature.

Straus, Rebecca. “5 Ways to Attract Fireflies to Your Yard.” Good Housekeeping. Good Housekeeping, November 2, 2021. Last modified November 2, 2021. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706057/how-to-attract-fireflies/.

Waterworth, Kristi. “7 Ways to Attract Fireflies in Your Yard.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, March 3, 2023. Last modified March 3, 2023. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/pest-control/how-to-attract-fireflies/.