Here's Why You Should Not Rake Your Leaves

Nov 07, 2024

Aren't the colors of the changing leaves absolutely stunning? I have been taking the scenic route every chance I get to work and to run errands just so I can drive around and look at all of the beautiful red, orange, and golden trees along the way. Soon they will all fall to the ground, and I want to enjoy them while I can.

No matter how beautiful, I know a yard covered in leaves may be your worst nightmare if raking is your responsibility. If that's the case, I have some good news for you. Especially if you love lightning bugs. Or Fireflies, whatever you like to call them.

Just this past summer, Chad and I were talking about how we hadn't seen very many lightning bugs compared to years past. We all have nostalgic memories of catching the little glowing insects in a jar, or running around in a field of them. I used to rescue them from the wave pool at Atlantis.

I saw one this year. According to Firefly.org, the lightning bug population has decreased all over the world.

Several factors play into the dwindling of numbers with the most common being light pollution and human interference such as pesticides and land development.

"Human light pollution is believed to interrupt firefly flash patterns. Scientists have observed that synchronous fireflies get out of synch for a few minutes after a car’s headlights pass. Light from homes, cars, stores, and streetlights may all make it difficult for fireflies to signal each other during mating—meaning fewer firefly larvae are born next season."

The other factor is that their natural habitats are being disturbed to make way for businesses or developing neighborhoods. The undisturbed land with rotting wood, layers of plants and leaves that allow water to collect for a damp and humid environment is perfect for lightning bug larvae to grow and emerge each summer. However, once the land is cleared and buildings go up, they are maintained and landscaped so much that there aren't as many safe places for lightning bugs to multiply like they once could.

Because humans are the number one suspected cause of the decrease in population, there are things we can also do to help give them the environment they need to hopefully come back each summer. Those things actually start now in the fall if we want to see them again next year. Here is a list of tips from The Farmer's Almanac:

So there you go! If you need a reason to not worry about raking your yard, just show this to your spouse. I think I may make a sign that says something like "Excuse the mess! We're saving lightning bugs."

Gallery Credit: Andrew Vale