Bugs: Up Close and Personal
Think you have bug smarts? Know your pests and rodents? Test your skills!

1) True or False: The venom of the Africanized bee is more dangerous than the honeybee.

False: The Africanized bee attacks in greater numbers, which makes it more dangerous than the venom of the honeybee – but their venom is not more dangerous.

Click here for more Africanized bee information or to check out some Africanized bees pictures for kids.

2) True or False: The Argentine Ant is only found in Argentina.

False! While the Argentine ant did come over from South America in the late 1800’s, it is now all over the Unites States. The Argentine ant is very common in Southern California and in many states.

Click here for more Argentine ants information or to check out some Argentine ants pictures for kids.

3) True or False: Bedbugs got their name because they are found in the garden beds – not beds for people!

False! Bed Bugs like to travel and will hide in suitcases, boxes, and shoes to be near a food supply. They hide in small cracks and crevices close to a human environment. Bedbugs can be found behind baseboards, upholstery, and in furniture crevices – and yes, in your bed! Although bed bugs can dine on any warm-blooded animal, they prefer humans. Bedbugs do not transmit diseases, but their bites can become red, itchy welts.

Click here for more bedbugs information or to check out some bedbugs pictures for kids.

4) True or False: Beetles love to dine on clothing just as much as food.

True! Most beetles love to munch on grain, cereals, flour, nuts, etc. but many beetles also love to attack clothing, carpets, and other household furnishings. Many beetles will consume almost anything made from natural fabrics and furs.

Click here for more beetles information or to check out some beetles pictures for kids.

5) True or False: All ticks can spread Lyme Disease.

False! Only blacklegged ticks (sometimes called deerticks) can spread Lyme Disease. Ask your folks for more Lyme Disease Information – and when you’re in an area where ticks are common, wear long sleeved shirts and pants!

Click here for more tick information or to check out some ticks pictures for kids.

6) True or False: Carpenter bees don’t sting.

False! Although the male carpenter bee doesn’t sting – it just guards the nest – the female carpenter bee stings, so be careful!

For more carpenter bee information or to check out some cool carpenter bee pictures for kids.

7) True or False: Cockroaches usually only come out at night.

True! Many cockroaches are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are awake at night. If you see a cockroach during the day, make sure to tell your parents.

For more cockroach information or to check out some cockroach pictures for kids.

8) True or false: Earwigs can bite you.

False! Although earwigs look scary because they have pinchers on their rear ends, they’re actually harmless when it comes to hurting people.

For more earwig information or to check out some cool earwig pictures for kids.

9) True or false: Flies taste with their feet.

True! Flies can taste with their feet! But, they eat using a sucking mechanism that comes from their mouth parts. Flies eat only liquids, but they can easily turn most solid foods into liquids they can eat.

For more fly information or to check out some fly pictures for kids.

10) True or false: Odorous house ants stink.

True! True - but only when you step on them. Odorous house ants got their name from the rotten coconut-like smell they give off when they’re crushed.

For more odorous house ant information or to see some odorous house ant pictures for kids.

11) True or false: Mosquitoes spread diseases.

True! Because they suck the blood out of one person or animal and inject it into another, mosquitoes can spread a number of blood borne diseases, such as malaria.

For more mosquito information or to check out some mosquito pictures for kids.

12) True or false: Opossums can play dead.

True! Opossums play dead as a defense mechanism. So if you or your parents see an opossum that appears dead, wait for one to four hours to move it – it just may get up and walk away on its own!

For more opossum information or to check out some opossum photos for kids.

13) True or false: Pillbugs love the indoors.

False! Pillbugs evolved from crustaceans (water-dwelling animals related to the shrimp) who lived in water all the time, so they prefer moist places outside. Pillbugs got their name from their pill-shaped body.

For more pillbug information or to view some pillbug pictures for kids.