Flick is a bit intense. If you’ve spent any time on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you know the vibe. He’s obsessed. He’s gothic. He’s the undisputed king of the Animal Crossing Bug Off, and he’s the only reason you’re running around in circles with a net on a perfectly good Saturday afternoon.
Look, catching bugs isn't exactly high-stakes gaming. We’re not talking about a Souls-like boss fight here. But when that timer starts ticking down and you realize you’ve only caught two common butterflies and a stink bug? The pressure is real. Most players approach the event all wrong. They sprint. They scare away the high-value targets. They get frustrated when the points don't add up fast enough to snag that gold trophy. Honestly, winning the Bug Off is more about understanding the game's spawn mechanics than it is about having the fastest reflexes in the world.
What the Animal Crossing Bug Off Really Is
The event is basically a seasonal tournament hosted by Flick. It happens on the fourth Saturday of the month during the summer. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, that’s June, July, August, and September. If you're down in the Southern Hemisphere, you’re looking at November, December, January, and February. It always runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
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Your first entry is free. After that, Flick charges you 500 Bells per round. It’s a bit of a racket, but since he buys your bugs for 1.5x their market value, you usually make that money back instantly. You get three minutes to catch as many bugs as possible. Each bug is worth one point, and if you catch at least three, you get a two-point bonus.
Points translate into swag. Specifically, weird, bug-themed swag.
The Rewards Nobody Tells You About
Most people want the trophies. You get Bronze at 100 total points, Silver at 200, and Gold at 300. It’s a grind. You don't have to earn them all in one day, though. Flick keeps a running tally of your lifetime points, so if you only hit 150 points in June, you start at 150 in July.
Then there are the items. For every 10 points, you can trade them in for a random reward. We're talking:
- Artisanal Bug Cages (the best item in the set, hands down).
- Bug Wand.
- Butterfly Backpacks.
- Ladybug Rugs.
- Spider Doorplates.
The game uses a "check-off" system. You won't get a duplicate until you've received one of every item. This makes the initial grind feel rewarding, but once you start getting your fourth "Bug Aloha Shirt," the charm wears off.
Stop Running: The Secret to High Scores
Speed is the enemy.
Seriously. When you run, you create vibrations that despawn bugs before they even enter your screen’s field of view. To dominate the Animal Crossing Bug Off, you need to manipulate the environment.
The biggest mistake is staying in the plaza. Sure, it’s convenient, but the plaza is a dead zone for spawns. You want to be near flowers. Lots of them. But not just any flowers—hybrid clusters are bug magnets. If you have a massive field of flowers, you can essentially walk in a circle. By the time you finish one lap, the bugs at the start of the circle have already respawned.
Use the "Stump Method"
If you’re serious about points, cut down a few trees before the event starts. Keep the stumps. Certain beetles and longhorn beetles only spawn on stumps. They’re easy pickings. They don't fly away as fast as a Great Purple Emperor.
Also, ignore the "trash" bugs if they’re too far away. If you see a mosquito, ignore it. It’s a tiny hitbox and a waste of time. Focus on the big targets or the clusters of butterflies. If you can get 10 bugs in three minutes, you’re looking at 12 points per round. Do that 25 times, and you’ve got your Gold Trophy. It sounds like a lot, but each round is only three minutes. That’s 75 minutes of actual gameplay.
The Multiplayer Hack (The Real Way to Rank Up)
This is the part that most solo players miss. The Animal Crossing Bug Off is significantly easier—and more profitable—with friends.
When you play with others, you get a "Cooperative Bonus." If the group catches a total of 5 to 9 bugs, everyone gets 5 extra points. If the group catches 10 or more, everyone gets 10 extra points.
Think about that.
If you’re playing solo, you’re lucky to get 12-14 points per round. If you have three friends over, and you all catch a few bugs each, you could easily walk away with 20+ points every single time. Plus, the 500 Bell entry fee is waived when you play in multiplayer. It’s basically free points and free money.
Just make sure your internet connection is solid. There is nothing worse than catching 12 bugs and having the "Communication Error" screen wipe your progress. It’s devastating.
Inventory Management and Gear
Don't show up with a half-full pocket. Empty everything. You only need two things: a net and a backup net. Maybe three nets if you’re paranoid.
When the timer is running, the bugs you catch don't go into your pockets; they go into the bug cage next to Flick. This is a blessing. It means you don't have to stop to clear space. However, once that cage hits 20 bugs, you must empty it or sell to Flick before you can start another round.
Net Durability is a Trait
A standard net lasts for 30 catches. If you're hitting 10 bugs a round, your net is going to explode mid-way through your third attempt.
Pro tip: Customize your net. Using a Customization Kit on a tool completely resets its durability. If you’ve finished two rounds, go to a workbench, slap some paint on that net, and it’s brand new. It’s cheaper than buying a new one and faster than crafting.
Why Flick Matters Beyond the Points
Flick isn't just a quest-giver. He’s an economy breaker.
During the Animal Crossing Bug Off, he will buy any bug from you for 150% of its normal price. If you’ve been hoarding expensive specimens in your storage—like those 12,000 Bell Giraffe Stags or Golden Stags—today is the day to cash out.
Don't sell them to Nook’s Cranny. Timmy and Tommy are lowballing you. Wait for Flick. Even outside of the three-minute rounds, you can talk to him and sell your entire inventory.
He also does commissions. If you give him three of the same bug, he’ll mail you a high-quality model of it the next day. These models are incredible for decorating your island, though be warned: the butterfly models are huge and beautiful, while the beetle models are surprisingly tiny. Most people go for the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing model because it’s basically a centerpiece.
Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls
A lot of people think they need to use the "Sneak" mechanic (holding A) during the Bug Off. Honestly? Don't bother unless it's a very rare beetle on a tree. For 90% of the bugs you’ll see—butterflies, dragonflies, locusts—sneaking just wastes time. You need to be efficient.
Another myth is that the weather affects the Bug Off. It doesn't. The event is hard-coded to be a clear or slightly cloudy day. You won't have to worry about rain ruining the spawn rates of butterflies.
The "No-Bug" Glitch
Sometimes, it feels like the bugs just stop appearing. This usually happens because you’ve accidentally "filled" the spawn slots with bugs you aren't seeing. Water bugs are a common culprit. If you have ponds or rivers, giant water bugs might be hogging the spawn slots. Scaring them away or catching them will force the game to generate new bugs elsewhere, hopefully closer to you.
Practical Next Steps for Your Island
If you want to be ready for the next event, start prepping your layout now.
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- Create a "Circuit": Plant a path of flowers that leads in a large circle back to the Resident Services plaza.
- Stockpile Customization Kits: You’ll need these to keep your nets from breaking.
- Clear the Trees: Remove excess trees so you have a clear line of sight. Hidden bugs are wasted points.
- Save Your High-Value Bugs: Put your expensive catches in storage now so you can sell them to Flick for that 1.5x bonus.
The Bug Off isn't just about the trophies; it's the fastest way to get the Artisanal Bug Cage, which actually functions as a wardrobe. It’s one of the coolest looking furniture items in the game. Get out there, stop sprinting, and watch the spawns. You've got this.