Most kids love bugs. Maybe it’s their natural curiosity about the world and everything in it that makes creatures with multiple legs, multiple eyes and other interesting features so fascinating. Perhaps, it’s just our reactions to bugs that kids get a kick out of. If you have an entomologist in training in your home and want to nurture their interest, might we suggest a discussion on how bugs can be good and bad? Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging, we’ve put together some notes on a few bugs that have helpful and hurtful characteristics and also a link to a fun coloring page below.
Termites are little insects that live here in Tennessee and in every state except Alaska. Their home is a large underground nest that can house thousands of termites! Termites are good because they clear the forest of dead trees. Termites are bad because they can eat the wood in our homes.
Spiders are arachnids. They have eight legs and build webs. Some types of spiders are good because they eat other insects like mosquitoes and flies. Unfortunately there are spiders in Tennessee that are poisonous; their bites can cause trouble for people and pets.
Bees fly around Tennessee pollenating plants. Bees are good when they help grow the fruits and vegetables we eat. Bees are bad and can be hurtful when they sting us. God gave them their stingers for protection purposes; unfortunately they don’t realize we aren’t a threat.
There are so many bugs out there for your little one to study. We encourage you to take time to explore your backyard; you don’t really need much, maybe a net to catch creatures and a bug house for observing the insects you collect. Together determine why that bug you caught is good and why it’s bad. And don’t forget to finish your exploration with this Good Bugs And Bad Bugs coloring page.
And parents, if you happen to see bugs that are bad news for your home, give us a call to schedule a free home evaluation. Our family owned and operated pest control company has been serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee since 1961, we are ready to help you protect your family and home this summer and all year long.