A welcoming habitat for fireflies (Lampyridae)

[dado potato]

The firefly population is in decline due to loss of habitat and light pollution.

When I was a kid in the 1950s, there were thousands of "lightning bugs" at Gramma's house. I am sure I caught more than my share to bring indoors in a jar.

There are a few things that can be done to preserve a habitat for fireflies:
Make a woodpile of the branches removed by pruning and the sticks that fall from trees.
Let an area of lawn go unmowed.
Leave some leaves on the ground.
Minimize artificial lighting.
Build a water feature that would appeal to snails (the "expensive" option).

[rosarugosa]

We started mulching our beds with shredded leaves a few years ago instead of bark mulch, and coincidentally or not, it seems like we started getting fireflies in our garden around the same time. Last year, I first saw them on 6/8, so hoping for an appearance any night now.

[dado potato]

I understand that some mulches that are sold contain arsenic or chromated copper arsenate. The Mulch and Soil Council carries on a product certification program, enabling consumers to identify bags of mulch that are free from chemicals "that could harm the environment".
At the linked website there are consumer education videos.
http://www.mulchandsoilcouncil.org

[rosarugosa]

Thanks, Dado. I will bookmark that for future reference.