I never saw them out west either, but when I visited my great aunts at their home in Pennsylvania they had them and would tell me about growing up with them. Here in Texas I live in a creek bottom and they love the area. Walk just at dusk and the yards with dark greenery are the perfect backdrop to the glow. I always figure the yards where they are most prominent are the ones that don't use chemicals to kill insects. My yard just hums with the things!