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Nothing says "summer" quite like stepping outside at dusk and watching fireflies flit over your garden. If you've noticed more of them some years than others, there's a reason for that, and there are ways that you can welcome more of them.
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Despite their name, fireflies are actually beetles. Like all beetles, they go through a complete lifecycle, from egg to glowworms, pupa to adults. Most of that life is spent underground or under leaves and fallen wood. The adults that we see are in the final, ephemeral phase of their journey, with lifespans of just 2-4 weeks.
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The Lifecycle of a Firefly
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In mid to late summer, the females lay their eggs in sheltered, damp, undisturbed spots. The eggs glow faintly at first, the light gradually fading before they hatch. The glowworms that emerge are also bioluminescent, which protects them from attack. They spend their lives beneath damp leaf litter and moist wood, and they're voracious hunters of slugs and snails, which makes them excellent garden companions.
Pictured left: A glowworm, warning off potential predators.
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Come winter, the larvae burrow into decomposing wood or moist soil and go dormant, emerging the following spring to grow and eat for a little longer before building small mud chambers where they transform into adults.
Their entire adult life is devoted to finding a mate. At dusk, males fly low to the ground, flashing in a pattern every five to seven seconds. Females perch in low vegetation and flash back exactly two seconds later, allowing them to find each other in the dark.
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Everything a firefly needs can be provided by a thoughtful gardener:
Give them a damp corner. A rain garden, bog garden, or a moist ditch is ideal habitat. They're especially drawn to damp fallen leaves and decomposing wood. The key is to leave it alone. Tilling or raking up the leaves will kill the larvae.
If a wet area sounds like an invitation to mosquitoes, scatter BTi granules over it periodically. BTi is a naturally occurring bacteria that specifically targets mosquito family members and leaves other insects untouched.
Watch what you spray. Because fireflies are beetles, any product targeting beetles will also harm them. This includes grub killers for lawns and broad-spectrum insecticides like Sevin dust. At Hoerr Nursery, we use integrated pest management in our own growing operation, which means we rely on observation, biology, and targeted solutions. We're always happy to help you apply the same approach in your own garden, so if you've got a problem, just ask!
Give them places to perch. Female adults need height, like tall ornamental grasses, shrubs, or tree canopies to rest on while they watch for males.
Turn off the lights. Artificial light is one of the biggest threats to firefly populations. It interferes with their ability to read each other's flashes, which means fewer successful matings. If you have an outdoor light that stays on all night, consider switching it to a motion sensor, or simply turning it off. The fireflies will thank you, and as a bonus, you'll get a better look at the summer stars.
Fireflies are one of the season's most magical sights. And once they find a home in your garden, they’ll return year after year to light up the night.
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Some pest problems can be handled by spraying less, but many don't require spraying anything at all. Squash borers are a great example. They burrow into the base of young squash plants, causing their host to die.
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If you've lost plants to squash borers before, you know how fast they go from great to gonners.
The simplest trick to avoid heartbreak is plain old aluminum foil, wrapped around the squash stem to help keep borers out. And if you’re just getting started, we’ve got both summer and winter squash in four-packs for $2.99 each & 4" plants for $3.99 each.
Happy gardening!
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We're 100 Years Young.
Thank You, Peoria
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Last Thursday, Hoerr Nursery was honored at the Peoria County Board meeting with a proclamation marking one hundred years in business.
We're grateful to have grown alongside generations of Central Illinois gardeners, and even more grateful for the community that has made it possible. From our family to yours, thank you for helping us reach this milestone!
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Scam Alert:
Midnight Blue Hosta
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Breaking news: We regret to inform you that "midnight blue hostas" are currently available only in the same place as piranha plants and money that grows on trees. Click to watch the video!
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