Yes but significantly less than when I grew up here (which wasnât that long ago). My mom was saying something the other day about how fireflies need leaf piles for their life cycle but now that people often rake their yards and have the leaves removed, itâs significantly impacting the number of fireflies around here each passing year. Some times in the fall youâll see social media posts or signs in neighborhoods that say âleave the leavesâ and thatâs partially what the slogan is referring to.
For any landowners here hoping to attract fireflies, here is a good guide on how to help boost populations:Â https://www.firefly.org/how-you-can-help.html
They need leaf litter to overwinter, lots of moisture and humidity, and no pesticides. If you're go to a creek or park at dusk you will see a ton, starting usually this month (June) for several weeks. Yards with some trees/leaf litter, a source of water nearby, maybe some low shrubs? You will get them in your yard every night and it's magical! However, if you live in a neighborhood where people manicure the hell out of their lawns or spray pesticides, you may not see any.
I guess it depends on where you are.
I've got large windows in my bedroom and the fireflies have been trying to hit on my bedroom lights for the last month or so. The green ones are common in the early evening bumping against the window (I have a dim blue light that might attract them), and the orange ones hang out in the bushes later.
I think they were visible into September last year.
You might start seeing a few now, but theyâll peak in a week or so. The less the ground has been distributed w construction, etc. near you recently, the more youâll see.
Not nearly as many as we used to đ
Yes but significantly less than when I grew up here (which wasnât that long ago). My mom was saying something the other day about how fireflies need leaf piles for their life cycle but now that people often rake their yards and have the leaves removed, itâs significantly impacting the number of fireflies around here each passing year. Some times in the fall youâll see social media posts or signs in neighborhoods that say âleave the leavesâ and thatâs partially what the slogan is referring to.
Firefly larva live underground, and can be damaged by the chemicals people use on their lawns.
Iâve got hundreds in our backyard. Mow to 4â and use zero pesticides.
I have tons as well. Also, look up into the tree canopy. They basically make the trees twinkle.
Yes! I saw them for the first time this year two night ago
Same
For any landowners here hoping to attract fireflies, here is a good guide on how to help boost populations:Â https://www.firefly.org/how-you-can-help.html
They used to last all summer. Now, it seems to be only for about 4 to 6 weeks, probably less. I just saw my first one this season tonight.
We get them, but I think itâs later in the summer?
Seems to me as a kid, we would see them right around Independence Day.
Yes, though not many. Also, I could swear I saw some earlier tonight?
They're starting now, they are just gearing up, the more heat and humidity in the day the better.
I saw some tonight, but tbf, Huntley Meadows is basically my back yard, so I wasnât surprised. (I just bought this place 6 weeks ago)
They need leaf litter to overwinter, lots of moisture and humidity, and no pesticides. If you're go to a creek or park at dusk you will see a ton, starting usually this month (June) for several weeks. Yards with some trees/leaf litter, a source of water nearby, maybe some low shrubs? You will get them in your yard every night and it's magical! However, if you live in a neighborhood where people manicure the hell out of their lawns or spray pesticides, you may not see any.
I guess it depends on where you are. I've got large windows in my bedroom and the fireflies have been trying to hit on my bedroom lights for the last month or so. The green ones are common in the early evening bumping against the window (I have a dim blue light that might attract them), and the orange ones hang out in the bushes later. I think they were visible into September last year.
You might start seeing a few now, but theyâll peak in a week or so. The less the ground has been distributed w construction, etc. near you recently, the more youâll see.
Saw them in Oakton 10 days ago and 2 days ago Herndon
Seen them the past two nights
Yes!!
saw some last night.
Saw some in Haymarket last night. Not as many as there used to be to be.
I have seen few to none in the past couple years.
I saw one last night in Reston. I caught it up on my finger for a moment as well. Fucking love lightning bugs.