How to identify and get rid of fireflies

For those lucky enough to live in the Eastern part of the U.S., summer nights are often filled with a light show put on by fireflies.

These luminous beetles are on a mission to find their next mate but do it in a very flashy way. Fireflies, sometimes called lightning bugs, create a chemical reaction inside their abdomens to produce light.

Males will fly into the night air, flashing their abdomens with precise timing and patterns. They do this because the females of their species are watching the night sky for the right signal. There are many different species of fireflies in the U.S., and females need to know how to distinguish the right ones from the wrong ones. Once a male has flashed the right signal, females will respond, and the male will approach to mate.

In areas like the Great Smoky Mountains, certain species of fireflies will flash in synchrony with each other. Whole areas of forest can be lit up at the same time by these glowing males.

Females will then lay their eggs in the soil, and the larvae will hatch a few weeks later. The larvae sometimes glow, too, giving them the name glowworms. Larvae will eat other insect larvae, snails, and slugs. They typically overwinter as larvae and emerge in the spring as adults.

Fireflies are best identified by the glowing tips of their abdomen, starting around dusk in the summer. They usually have black wings with an orangish-colored head. Their antennae are long and often serrated, like a saw.

You’ll know fireflies are around if you see their distinctive flickering lights in your garden or near woods. However, not all fireflies are bioluminescent. Some only fly during the day and use pheromones to communicate and find a mate.

How big are fireflies?

Fireflies typically range from 0.5 to 1 inch in length.

What other pest looks like a firefly?

Some beetles, like soldier beetles, may be mistaken for fireflies, but they are yellow and don’t have bioluminescent organs.

Fireflies are common in the Eastern half of the United States, particularly in humid, warm areas with lots of water and vegetation. Fireflies prefer to stay outside and are usually found in gardens, near ponds or other bodies of water, or in fields and forests. They rarely enter homes.

If you are worried about fireflies getting into your home, then the best option is to spray and maintain a bug barrier in and around your property. With the Pestie Smart Pest Plan, you’ll get a pro-grade, DIY solution delivered right to your door so you can enjoy a pest-free home year-round.