G-L-O-W-S
Do you want to see more fireflies? Here's how to make a yard that GLOWS with them.
G
GROW GRASS long and plant native shrubs and trees
-
Plants shelter fireflies during the day.
-
Females perch on low vegetation so flying males can see them.
-
Native plants and undisturbed ground help the soil hold more moisture for firefly larvae and their prey (slugs, snails, & worms).
L
LEAVE the LEAVES and LOGS for the LARVAE
-
Fireflies spend most of their lives as larvae (up to 2 years!), living in leaf litter, under rotting logs, or under the ground.
-
Larvae eat slugs, snails, and worms, which thrive in leaf litter and under logs.
-
Leaf litter keeps the soil moist, important for larvae and their prey.
O
OPT for ORGANIC.
No pesticides, please!
-
Avoid insecticides. Insecticides kill insects, and fireflies are insects!
-
Don’t use slug or snail bait. Slugs and snails are food for firefly larvae.
-
Herbicides and chemical fertilizers can also harm fireflies or their prey.
W
WELCOME fireflies with WET and WATERY places
-
Fireflies lay their eggs in moist places, such as damp moss and rotting logs.
-
Wet habitats are necessary for larvae’s food - slugs, snails, and worms.
-
Although ponds, streams, and other water features are ideal, simply leaving an undisturbed, shady spot with leaf litter is helpful.
S
STOP the lights for dark SKIES
-
Lights at night make it hard for fireflies to see flashes and find a mate.
-
Lights also affect larval foraging behavior and development.
-
Turn off all outdoor lights at night if possible.
-
Close curtains at night to keep indoor light from spilling out into the yard.
-
Use motion sensor lights for security and safety if lights are needed.
-
Where lights are necessary, use shielded light fixtures that direct light downward, and use bulbs with low wattage.
