My parents said there are not nearly as many fireflies in their Fairfax neighborhood as there were when I was a kid. I’m in Leesburg and we have a ton. My kids love to catch them (and watch the bats come out at the same time)!

My kid’s birthday is in the next week, and when she was growing up, we always said the fireflies come out to wish her a happy birthday. They still hold a lot of magic for her - although she thinks it is weird when I call them lightning bugs out of habit!

Read this as a family:

https://www.firefly.org/how-to-catch-fireflies.html

And have fun planning for this summer.

I am so glad you had this insight before your kids were grown!

👍

Are you outside with them at dusk/night? Near woods/in yards (not urban places)? I have the same memories. Give them to your child.

If need be, take them camping. You can rent everything you need . leave your devices in the car. You will not be sorry!

Mine were just last night!

Yes, close to downtown Bethesda, at dusk.

Yup. My kid found some last weekend in MoCo.

My kid definitely does! We live in Silver Spring, and see them. We saw (and she caught) our first this year a couple months ago while camping.

We live in NW dc (not upper nw) and see them all the time in the early part of the summer. We saw dozens in our yard the other night. By later in the summer they’re gone. My kids chase them. And my dog.

They do where I live

Anonymous wrote:Of course! But not in the city. I rarely see them here.

Op here. Me as well. I grew up here too. They were everywhere when I was kid.

yes, at dusk, go out tonight! then release them

Yes- when we are in CT

Of course! But not in the city. I rarely see them here.

I realize my kids have not and I cannot recall the last time I saw lightning bugs outside. It has been years.