Why are there so many dragonflies in my yard?

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Written By: Mark Marino, a Massachusetts Core Applicator License holder
and owner/operator of Lawn Phix,

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black dragonfly

Dragonflies are some of the most fascinating insects in the United States. Despite their ferocious name and brightly colored exoskeletons, these flying insects are far less dangerous than you may first believe.

But what happens when dragonflies show up around your property in massive numbers? The sound of beating dragonfly wings or relentless hungry swarms could put your teeth on edge while in the yard or garden.

If you want to know the answer to “Why are there so many dragonflies in my yard?” this article has you covered. We’re discussing everything you need to know about dragonflies in the US, including what they are, why they swarm, and how you can attract (or not attract) these insects to your yard.

What are dragonflies?

Dragonflies are flying insects from the order Odonata. Approximately 3,000 dragonfly species are located worldwide, with an estimated 300 in the US and Canada. Although dragonflies share some resemblance to their close cousin, the damselfly, they are far better fliers and much heavier in build compared to these smaller insects.

There are several species of dragonfly common to the US, including:

  • Green darner
  • Migrant hawker
  • Common sanddragon
  • Great blue skimmer
  • Midland clubtail

Dragonflies are primarily beneficial insects that consume other pests during their lifecycle. In fact, many gardeners strive to retain dragonflies for their many pest control proclivities. These insects cannot harm plants, people, or pets and prefer to live outside near stagnant water. Only one dragonfly species, the bee butcher, poses a significant risk to farming operations.

Since dragonflies are highly territorial in nature, you’re unlikely to see large numbers around your home. However, if you do have a high population of dragonflies in your yard, you may be dealing with a dragonfly swarm.

What are dragonfly swarms?

A dragonfly swarm is exactly what it sounds like: large groups of dragonflies circling about the yard or garden. Although they typically appear in spring and summer, they may also be present in early fall (if you live in a warmer climate).

You’re likely to spot dragonfly swarms near:

  • Small ponds
  • Water lilies
  • Other bodies of standing water

Keep in mind dragonflies prefer to infest areas where pest prey are prevalent. For example, you’re highly likely to find a static swarm around a pond filled with mosquitoes.

The reason dragonflies swarm is primarily due to warmer weather conditions. Other seasonal fluctuations (like periods of heavy rain) may attract large swarms in force.

A few other reasons you may have dragonfly swarms in your property include:

  • Mass hatching and maturation. Dragonflies spend anywhere from a few weeks to a few years in the larval stage. Depending on when dragonfly adults last visited your property, you may experience the development of many adult insects all at once.
  • The movement of prey species. Dragonflies are all-too familiar with the seasonal emergence of their favorite foods, including flies, ants, and mosquitoes. They won’t hesitate to live in places with good water proximity in the hopes of catching an easy meal.
  • Migratory swarms. Many species of dragonfly, including the green darner, travel long distances for up to three generations to ensure the survival of their species. If you’re lucky, you may catch a migratory swarm moving into your yard as the insects follow their migration path.

Dragonfly infestations are typically rare and do not pose a problem to humans. In fact, spotting a dragonfly infestation around your yard could lead to some long-term benefits for your garden! Not only do these insects eat other insects while in their larval phase, but static swarms could get rid of future infestations by eating adult pests (like mosquitoes and other small insects).

But perhaps you don’t have any dragonfly swarms near your property. In that case, you may be interested in finding some ways to encourage the adults to drop by.

Attracting dragonflies to your property

What attracts dragonflies to properties quickly? All you need is some standing water and a green thumb.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Make your property a haven for small insects and other prey species that attract dragonflies. Remember: dragonflies can consume small fish, water bugs, and even larger insects like beetles and bees. Encouraging biodiversity around your property is a great way to attract dragonflies quickly.
  • Be cautious about where you hang bird houses and suet feeders around your yard. Larger birds are all-too happy to snap up large insects like dragonflies, which could make it difficult for these brightly colored insects to maintain a presence in your yard.
  • Any body of standing water can attract dragonflies to your home. Setting up a koi pond is just one example of a water body, although you can also set up less complex areas by putting a few border stones around a vernal pool.
  • Try putting dragonfly-friendly plants around the front and sides of your home. You can draw dragonflies closer with Joe-Pye weed or Black-eyed Susans, or plant some water lilies in standing water to retain nearby static swarms.

How to control dragonflies flying around your yard

A dragonfly swarm isn’t necessarily dangerous — but that doesn’t mean you want one around your property! If you’re dealing with a dragonfly infestation and looking to get rid of it fast, here’s what you have to do:

  • Set up plenty of bird feeders around your yard and garden. Next, try introducing tadpoles and bat boxes to your yard. Adult stage dragonflies are a favorite food of small birds and bats, while nymphs are beloved by frogs, newts, and lizards.
  • Mow your grass at least once a week to keep the height under four inches. Be sure to turn off your sprinklers as well to prevent other insecs from settling down and attracting hungry dragonflies.
  • Organize, stack, or burn any clutter around your property. Rotting wood or decaying leaves in ponds could be some of the biggest reasons dragonflies visit your home. If you live in a warmer climate, consider getting rid of excess brush to prevent termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-destroying pests from attracting dragonflies (and damaging your home).
  • If a static swarm of dragonflies has taken over your property, you may to consult with a trusted professional team to take care of the problem fast. You many need to use specialty product in ponds and standing water, or control other bugs like mosquitoes and flies to get dragonfly swarms under control.

Dragonfly FAQs

Now you know the answer to ‘why are there so many dragonflies in my yard?’ However, you may still have a few questions related to their control, migration, and habitat areas.

Let’s take a look at some common dragonfly FAQs sourced from an aquatic entomologist.

Is it good to have a lot of dragonflies in your yard?

Dragonflies cannot damage fruits, vegetables, and plants and act as natural pest control in your yard. Although they can bite humans if captured or threatened, they are not naturally aggressive and rarely choose to attack.

If you’re a backyard gardener looking to get rid of pests in the yard safely, large swarms of dragonflies may actually be a good thing. You can easily control many insects and their young without relying on harsh chemicals.

What does a swarm of dragonflies mean?

Dragonfly swarms usually stem from your yard, your climate, or passing migratory swarms. These insects may stick around for feeding purposes before moving to a new area or appear each year in the summer when the weather warms up.

Remember that a large influx of dragonflies could point to a secondary pest infestation, as swarms gather to feed on common prey insects like mosquitoes, flies, moths, and bloodworms.

Why are there so many dragonflies this time of year?

Dragonflies love warmer weather and typically appear in force during the spring and summer months. This coincides with the rise of other insects, including some of their favorite snacks.

However, keep in mind that dragonflies can appear anywhere their ideal environment is located. This may include a large body of water, a small pond, or a marshy area with plenty of shade and sunshine.

What does it mean when you see dragonflies?

Spotting a dragonfly infestation near your property could mean one of three things.

First, there may be a migratory swarm moving through your area that temporarily settled down in your yard.

Second, static swarms appearing in early spring may indicate large numbers of hatching and maturing bugs.

Third, a smaller group of dragonflies flying near your pond or mown grass could indicate seasonal feeding on a specific pest (like a massive infestation of mosquitoes).

Are dragonflies beneficial insects?

Yes! Dragonflies are some of the most beneficial insects found in the backyard garden. Not only do dragonflies eat prey species like mosquito larvae, but they also control dangerous fly species like black flies.

To summarize: swarms of dragonflies are typically good for the backyard gardener.

What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?

Dragonflies have large, thick bodies with larger thoraxes compared to damselflies. They are strong fliers that rest their wings horizontally when not in flight.

Damselflies have thin, lighter bodies with thinner thoraxes compared to dragonflies. They are weak fliers that rest their wings alongside their bodies while not in flight.

Unlike the dragonfly, damselflies can also have iridescent or metallic wings.

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Author's Note: this piece has been updated for accuracy since its first publication on

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Author: Mark Marino
My name is Mark Marino, and I am the founder, owner, and operator of Lawn Phix. With a passion for lawn care and turf nutrition for over a decade, I've dedicated countless hours to correcting soil and perfecting lawns. Today, my expertise, backed by formal courses at UMass Extension Pesticide Education, allows me to offer top-tier lawn care services and advice. I am a fully licensed and insured lawn care applicator in Massachusetts, specializing in comprehensive turf nutrition, weed control, and lawn pest control. My license number is AL-0053865. Contact me at [email protected] or +1 (508) 500-8402.

1 thought on “Why are there so many dragonflies in my yard?”

  1. It’s always fascinating to learn about the natural world around us, and this article provided valuable insights into the presence of dragonflies in yards. Thank you for sharing this informative piece!

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