Firefly / Lightning Bug Paranoia!

[blondie098]

Ok, I have become paranoid of fireflies -- my heart hurts for anyone who has lost their beloved dragon to this seemingly innocent little bug... but now I find myself doing a "firefly check" of clothing before the kids come in at dusk from playing... and if we run an evening errand or whatnot...

I have been building a butterfly/hummingbird garden for 6 years now, and have the whole front corner of our house built into a nice inviting haven -- Rose of Sharon, Turk's Cap Lilies, Asiatic Lilies, Hibiscus, Trumpet vine, hydrangea, and containers with supertunias, dahlia, snapdragons, etc... is there anything I can plant to deter fireflies from wanting to come near our porch? But also not deter my fluttery friends whom I've worked so hard to invite?

My daughter has been fascinated with butterflies since she was 2, and now at 11 she charts how many different ones she can see each year. And last year we finally achieved the hummers, they are so neat to watch!

Or is there any other way to deter the fireflies? I used to think they were so neat... now I want to build a screen box around my house to keep 'em out! :shock:

 

[zebraflavencs]

Dawn, to attract, you can use this, perhaps if it is set up away from your home, they will go there instead ?
http://www.poweng.com.au/firefly.htm
Hope this helps out !
Janie.

 

[blondie098]

Thanks Janie, but that looks like it's mainly a bird deterrent? I do have a few pesky pigeons that I am always shoo-ing away, but I have been luring a mating pair of bluejays & also a cardinal pair... I don't want to scare them away.