How to attract fireflies to your backyard

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Normally this time of year you would see some firefly flashes.

While the Midwest hasn't seen as steep of a drop as other parts of the country, conservationists say now is a good time step in, before Kansas loses its glow.

Across the world, some firefly species are on the brink of extinction. While experts say the decline hasn't been as sharp in Kansas, things like pesticides, development and bright outdoor lighting still pose threats here at home.

"We've had a very wet spring, but we've also had one of the warmest springs on record and that extra warmth and moisture is great for fireflies because it makes the soil nice and warm and moist," Topeka Zoo Director of Conservation, Dennis Dinwiddie said. "The combination they love because their larva is in the ground until about May or June. And so, when the temperature is right, the moisture is right, that's when they come out and we start seeing fireflies."

Creating a natural environment can make all the difference, like planting native grasses, keeping your leaves in the yard and turning off outdoor lights when they're not needed.

"Best thing you can do for fireflies is to leave the clutter. Leave the leaves. In your flower beds, leave all the wood there," Jackson's Greenhouse Manager, Patrick Herr said. "Any debris that they can lay their eggs into is a good habitat for them."

Experts say Kansas has the chance to lead by example, and that even small changes can help fireflies stick around for future summers.

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