Summer is here, and the fireflies should be arriving soon — right? Otherwise known as lightning bugs or glow worms, their populations have been declining, but there are ways to help, writes Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for Pennsylvania Patch.

Across Chester County and the state, these jewels of the night have been prominently sighted every summer for years, but there are some concerns that they may be disappearing. There are around 170 species of fireflies, according to the Brandywine Conservancy, and it’s hard to know when they will pop up.

The Farmers’ Almanac details that fireflies tend to thrive in a muggy climate, which means if those conditions show in June, the insects may become confused and make appearances earlier. With habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and light pollution, their numbers become threatened.

“And if it continues, fireflies may fade forever, leaving our summer nights a little darker and less magical,” said Firefly Conservation & Research, a nonprofit founded in 2009 by firefly researcher Ben Pfeiffer.

But there are ways to help fireflies keep returning to your backyards!

Some tips include dimming porch lights so artificial lighting doesn’t affect them, creating an ideal habitat that avoids pesticides and chemicals, and considering adding a small pond or stream to cater to their muggy preferences.

Read more about fireflies in the Pennsylvania Patch.

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