Community Talks About Firefly Abundance In Connecticut

I'm a sucker for a good light show. I love fireworks, floating lanterns, the glow of a big city—if it lights up, it grabs my attention. But no one puts on a better display than Mother Nature. In my opinion, the best kind of light show is when a swarm of fireflies takes over a warm summer night.

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We were at a party recently, and as the sun dipped below the trees, the little guys came out in full force. It hit me: it had been a long time since I’d seen that many fireflies in one place. Then I came across a Reddit post and realized I wasn’t the only one noticing this uptick.

A Connecticut Reddit user, u/cooldayr, posted:
"Is anyone else noticing way more fireflies this year in CT? I live in Stamford and have seen way more fireflies this year than I have in many of the years prior. Has anyone else noticed way more this year?"

The post got a ton of responses, and plenty of people agreed:

Lyn1987: Yes, actually and it's awesome. I haven't seen them in years and now they're lighting up my nightly ride home. It's pretty awesome.
chkkat: I saw them like 2 wks ago… the first time I saw fireflies in like 20+ years, it was magical!
A-Plant-Guy: While we’re on the subject, a helpful PSA: fireflies need leaf litter to live. When you rid your yard of leaves, you are literally disposing of fireflies.

That comment from A Plant Guy caught my eye. I wasn’t sure if it was true, so I looked into it—and sure enough, it is. Here’s what the National Wildlife Federation has to say:

Leave the Leaves for Fireflies
Fireflies are disappearing in America, and how we maintain our yards and gardens is a huge reason why. When homeowners and gardeners fill up yard waste bags with leaves, sticks, and other organic matter, they’re getting rid of the leaf layer that these firefly larvae need. Not only that, but oftentimes the firefly larvae themselves get put into those yard waste bags and get carted away! About 30% of these yard waste bags end up going straight to the landfill. Some get composted, but others are incinerated– which releases carbon dioxide greenhouse gasses. Wherever these yard waste bags end up, it’s not good news for the fireflies. To help save the fireflies, you can avoid the yard-waste bags. Instead, opt to intentionally use the fallen leaves in your yard.

Damn, I just got the best excuse ever for ignoring the leaves in the yard.

Dudleytown, CT: The Ghost Town That Guards Its Secrets

What you’re about to read is a journey — my journey — into the mysteries of Dudleytown, the so-called “Village of the Damned.”

You’ll get the history, the legends, the frustrating investigations, and the eerie encounters. This isn’t just a ghost story. It’s about land ownership, mysterious incidents, government secrecy, and a community reluctant to talk. It’s curiosity pushing against walls of silence. So, buckle up — Dudleytown’s story is far stranger than you might expect.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

These 5 Connecticut Insects are Deadly - What You Need to Know

Bugs are disgusting. My skin is crawling just writing this. But some of these creepy crawlies aren’t just gross—they’re downright dangerous. Here are five insects in Connecticut that can seriously harm humans or animals.

DISCLAIMER: Apologies to the entomology community—this is a massive oversimplification of the reality of your beloved insects but hang in there and see if you don't enjoy the ride.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano