Monarch butterflies are migrating through Missouri. Here’s how you can aid their flight

Missouri residents will start to see more butterflies floating around, as monarch butterflies make their annual migration south to Mexico.

Butterflies have already been spotted in northern U.S. states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to butterfly tracker Journey North . Many observers reported on the tracking website that they’re still seeing eggs and caterpillars.

Missourians can see the monarch butterflies now, as the insects have been spotted across the state. More have been seen in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas as of Friday, Sept. 6, but they have also been reported in Marshall, Plattsburg and St. Joseph, according to Journey North .

It can take up to two months for butterflies to complete their migration and they’re most likely to be seen during the daytime in urban and rural areas, according to the United States Department of Agriculture .

While the sight of these migrating butterflies is still common, the loss of their habitats could prevent this natural phenomenon from happening in the future, the Missouri Department of Conservation says . The department says herbicides used throughout North America have been eliminating milkweeds, monarchs’ required larval food plant.

The butterfly with its iconic black and orange coloring is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature . They play an important role in the ecosystem by supporting other pollinators like bees in helping plants reproduce.

While the butterflies travel to Mexico for their migration, there are a few things Missouri residents can do to help keep the population alive and prevent the species from becoming endangered again .

Plant milkweed

Milkweed is vital to monarch butterflies’ survival since the adult butterflies will only lay their eggs on this plant. Planting milkweed can help attract the insects to your home during their migration, the Missouri Department of Conservation says .

You can also plant flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, like asters, clover, goldenrod and ironweed, which is where the butterflies get their food from .

Avoid using pesticides

Pesticides of any kind are harmful to the monarch butterfly because it eliminates milkweed.

The Missouri Department of Conservation recommends that you avoid using pesticides when you’re trying to get rid of mosquitoes or other bothersome insects. Instead use bug spray on yourself or citronella candles on your porch rather than spreading insect repellents outdoors and onto your plants.

Address climate change

Climate change is a significant factor in the decline of monarch butterflies in North America, according to the IUCN.

“Drought limits the growth of milkweed and increases the frequency of catastrophic wildfires, temperature extremes trigger earlier migrations before milkweed is available, while severe weather has killed millions of butterflies,” the organization said in a statement .

“Climate change has significantly impacted the migratory monarch butterfly and is a fast-growing threat.”

You can take steps address climate change locally, like composting your food waste , reducing your reliance on fossil fuels, and learning about local policies and plans intended to protect the environment .