CHICAGO — If you’ve been walking around your neighborhood at dusk this week and spotted flickering yellow glows darting through the air, you’re not alone. Fireflies — also known as lightning bugs — seem to be making a glowing comeback across Chicago, delighting longtime residents who recall their summer magic from childhood.
A post on Reddit’s r/Chicago sparked a warm wave of memories and curiosity. The original poster from Avondale wrote, “As a child in the 90s I vividly remember they used to be everywhere… now suddenly in 2025, there are seemingly so many again.”
Are There Really More Lightning Bugs This Year?
It’s not just nostalgia. Anecdotally, many Chicagoans across neighborhoods like Avondale, Logan Square, and even parts of the suburbs have been reporting a noticeable spike in lightning bug sightings this summer.
While no official count exists, entomologists say firefly populations fluctuate based on several key factors, including:
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Rainfall and humidity: Wet, warm summers help boost firefly populations.
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Reduced light pollution: Some areas implementing darker outdoor lighting may help fireflies thrive.
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Less pesticide use: A shift away from lawn chemicals can improve habitat health.
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More awareness and reporting: People spending more time outside post-pandemic may just be noticing them more.
Firefly Nostalgia: A Chicago Childhood Staple
Many commenters described how fireflies were once a common summer sight in the ’90s and early 2000s, lighting up backyards and parks in the thousands. Over the last decade, though, populations had seemed to vanish, leading many to wonder if they were gone for good.
“I’ve had conversations with family and friends about how sad it is that the fireflies seem to have gone,” the Reddit post read. “Now suddenly… countless every night for the past week.”
Others chimed in sharing joy over seeing kids catching them in jars again — a symbol of carefree Midwest summers.
Why Did Fireflies Disappear in the First Place?
Experts have pointed to a mix of urban sprawl, lawn chemicals, habitat loss, and light pollution as key reasons behind the long-term decline in firefly populations.
Chicago’s expansion — including new developments in formerly wooded or grassy areas — means less damp, undisturbed ground for firefly larvae to grow, and more concrete, lawn pesticides, and lighting that disrupts their mating patterns.
Could This Be a Turning Point?
It’s too early to call it a full comeback, but naturalists say that even short-term increases are meaningful — especially if residents and city planners pay attention.
Organizations like Chicago Park District and Shedd Aquarium have previously encouraged residents to support pollinators and native insect habitats by:
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Reducing outdoor lighting at night
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Avoiding chemical fertilizers and weed killers
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Letting parts of lawns grow wild or damp
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Planting native grasses and flowers
Some city programs are even embracing “No Mow May” or pollinator garden initiatives to support insect populations including fireflies.
Where to Spot Fireflies in Chicago
While sightings seem most common in residential backyards, people have also reported seeing lightning bugs in:
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Horner Park
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LaBagh Woods
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Indian Boundary Park
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Montrose Harbor trails
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Cook County Forest Preserves
Best time to spot them? About 20–30 minutes after sunset, especially after a humid day.
Have you noticed more fireflies around your neighborhood this summer? Tell us where and how it felt at chicagosuburbanfamily.com — and let us know what other childhood memories you’ve seen coming back in 2025.
