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Fireflies In Florida: The Only Guide You Will Ever need

Are you ready to be blown away by the fireflies in Florida?

That’s good! Because this article is the only firefly blueprint you will ever need when visiting sunny Florida.

Not only will you learn about the most popular questions like…

‘Does Florida have fireflies?’

But you will also learn about the best locations to see them. You will also find information about how fireflies work below.

Let’s get started…

Your Guide To Lightning Bugs Florida

Fireflies In Florida

What Are Fireflies

Many people think fireflies are flies (hence the name, right!?). However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, fireflies are actually beetles.

But don’t worry…

If you have a fear of beetles, we’re sure you will love these little guys. Even though they look like little cockroaches, they produce beautiful fluorescent light.

Unknown to many, the fireflies use this light to communicate.

Pretty cool, huh!?

One of the most popular uses for their lighting is a mating signal. Male fireflies fly around in a specific pattern, enticing females to mate.

So next time you see lightning bugs in Florida, it’s probably a male looking for a female!

Are There Fireflies in Florida?

“Does Florida have lightning bugs?”

We hear this question all the time…

Our response?

“You can bet you a** we do!”

In fact, we have numerous different species in Florida (more on that below).

However, you need to spend time in the correct locations if you want to see a firefly show in Florida. You also need to consider the time of year, as lightning bugs become more active during the Summer months.

Are There Different Types Of Florida Fireflies?

Fireflies In Florida
Are There Different Types Of Florida Fireflies?

Considering there are almost 2000 firefly species worldwide, seeing them all in Florida is not going to happen.

However, Florida is still home to more than 50 species (56, to be exact).

Where To Find Lightning Bugs In Florida

As we were saying previously, you need to look in the right places to find lightning bugs unless you attract them to your home (more on this later).

Below are some popular public places to see fireflies.

Blue Spring State Park

Fireflies In Florida
Blue Spring State Park

Monday – 8 am – 8 pm

Tuesday – 8 am – 8 pm

Wednesday – 8 am – 8 pm

Thursday – 8 am – 8 pm

Friday – 8 am – 8 pm

Saturday – 8 am – 8 pm

Sunday – 8 am – 8 pm

The holy grail of fireflies is the Blue Spring State Park.

Not only does it boast a gorgeous hiking trail (Pine Island Trail), but it also comes alive with fireflies at nightfall. We recommend spending the day at Blue Spring State Park for the best experience.

If you like all wildlife (not only fireflies), Blue Spring State Park is home to alligators, manatees, and other fish. Spending the day here means you get to experience all these different animals.

Blue Spring State Park closes at 8 pm every night of the week. However, the doors are kept open for a select few people to watch the fireflies.

The only way to get your hands on a valuable ticket is by going to the park and purchasing one inside the park.

Our advice? Arrive at 5:45 pm, as the ticket sales start at 6 pm. And to say that the firefly show is popular is an understatement!

Getting there at 5:45 pm means you have a much higher chance of getting a ticket. Once 100 ticks are sold, you won’t be able to purchase one.

The price for an entry ticket is $6. You will also need to pay a $10 car ticket to secure your spot.

Friends Of Highlands Hammock State Park

Fireflies In Florida
Friends Of Highlands Hammock State Park

Similar to Blue Spring State Park, Friends Of Highlands State Park offers special tours for people wanting to see the fireflies.

Tickets are available when the fireflies are most active. In March 2022, there were firefly tours active from the 15th to the 21st. The good news is that you can purchase tickets the day before, ensuring you don’t miss your opportunity because it’s too crowded.

For those interested, you can buy tickets at the Hammock Inn Concession.

At $12 per ticket, they are a little more expensive than Blue Spring State Park. With that being said, you can purchase children’s tickets for only $6.

Common Questions

When Is The Best Month To See Fireflies?

Fireflies In Florida
When Is The Best Month To See Fireflies

The best months to see fireflies in Florida are April, May, July, and August.

Can You Attract Fireflies To Your Backyard

Fireflies In Florida
Can You Attract Fireflies To Your Backyard

What if you could turn your own backyard into a firefly paradise?

Well, now you can! To attract fireflies to your backyard, you will need to create the right habitat. For people on vacation in Florida, it may prove difficult due to the time constraint.

But for those living there, you’re in luck!

The first (and most important!) step is growing your grass. Yes, that’s right, you will need to sacrifice your short grass for the time being!

Fireflies thrive in high grass, so put the lawnmower away for a while.

The good news is that you don’t have to let the entire lawn grow. Simply dedicate a specific patch of grass for fireflies.

Once your lawn is nice and long., you need a bed of water. For this, we recommend installing a small pond in your backyard. Not only will you attract fireflies, but also increase the aesthetic appearance of your home.

Because who doesn’t love ponds, right!?

Next, ensure all your backyard lights are turned off and wait.

Can Fireflies Hurt You?

One of the reasons fireflies glow is to warn other animals that they contain toxins. However, they are completely harmless to humans.

How Long Do Fireflies Live For?

You’ll be surprised to hear that fireflies only live for an average of 2 months when they are adults. However, their development stage from egg to adult can last more than 1 year.

That’s why a firefly’s main purpose is to reproduce as quickly as possible because they don’t have much time.