They’re back, and they’re happy with my mess of a lawn.
I don’t think my lawn will ever look like a golf course, there was an above ground pool at one point so one area is packed densely and full of gravel sized rocks.
We threw down some clover, there’s wild strawberry, one spot has mint (I’ve been told trying to remove it is a sisyphusian task). It’s cozy now, and I guess the fireflies like cozy, and I like watching them from my patio.
Is the rocky area underperforming in terms of growth? Consider xeriscaping! Use drought and heat tolerant plants like succulents to fill in and color up an otherwise uninhabitable area
While it’s better than keeping a barren monoculture lawn, keep in mind that letting things grow with no intervention will get you a lot of invasive species. If you want healthier habitat for your critters try to keep an eye on what’s growing and replace the bad stuff with native options.
YMMV but i still see lots right around dusk at the edges of wetland areas. Not denying they are threatened but there are still some places they are able to live and those places should be protected. Wetlands do a lot more for us ecologically and hydrologically speaking than just fireflies anyway and are one of the most important ecosystems to be protected.
They were everywhere when I was a kid. I haven’t seen one in years.
They were so delightful, and I miss them.
I stopped mowing super regularly and my yard is full of em
Let the weeds grow, let the forest in. I’m in the Smokies fwiw
Same
They’re back, and they’re happy with my mess of a lawn.
I don’t think my lawn will ever look like a golf course, there was an above ground pool at one point so one area is packed densely and full of gravel sized rocks.
We threw down some clover, there’s wild strawberry, one spot has mint (I’ve been told trying to remove it is a sisyphusian task). It’s cozy now, and I guess the fireflies like cozy, and I like watching them from my patio.
Is the rocky area underperforming in terms of growth? Consider xeriscaping! Use drought and heat tolerant plants like succulents to fill in and color up an otherwise uninhabitable area
Definitely underperforming.
I let the plants that do grow there go to seed and it’s filled in a bit, but it’s not great.
I’m in Ontario and I don’t know if succulents will work, but I like them and can look into it.
While it’s better than keeping a barren monoculture lawn, keep in mind that letting things grow with no intervention will get you a lot of invasive species. If you want healthier habitat for your critters try to keep an eye on what’s growing and replace the bad stuff with native options.
I’m working on it :)
Just the other day my son was chasing the fireflies in our front yard.
…That front yard I was feeling bad about not mowing because the weeds mixed in with the grass quickly grow tall flowers above the head.
I think I want to keep helping those blinky-bois.
There are SO MANY DAISIES everywhere! I can’t wait to see what happens with a little more effort on my part
You and I and others like us, we can help.
YMMV but i still see lots right around dusk at the edges of wetland areas. Not denying they are threatened but there are still some places they are able to live and those places should be protected. Wetlands do a lot more for us ecologically and hydrologically speaking than just fireflies anyway and are one of the most important ecosystems to be protected.
Don’t rake your leaves
I’ve seen two this year.
I’ve seen More bald eagles land in the yard year than I have seen lightning bugs.