Check out some great bug information and facts on these common creepy-crawlies:
Ants | Beetles | Bees | Cockroaches | Flies | Lice |
Mosquitoes | Wasps
Mice | Rats | Opossums | Spiders | Termites | Ticks
| |
 |
|
 |
|
Ants |
There are more than 12,000 species of ants all over the world. There are many different colors, sizes, and shapes. Ants are social insects that live in large colonies or groups. Some colonies consist of millions of ants. There are three types of ants in each species, the queen, the sterile female workers, and males. The male ants’ job is to mate with the queen ant. The queen mates and then spends the rest of her life laying eggs.
Ants build many different types of homes. Some ants live in little mounds out of dirt or sand. Other ants use small sticks mixed with dirt and sand to make their homes more protective. Ant mounds consist of many chambers and tunnels. Some ants even live in wood like termites. If ants become a problem within your home, you must call an exterminator to have them removed.
Ants you might see around your home are the Carpenter Ant and the Pavement Ant.
 Carpenter Ant Information for kids:
Carpenter ants are normally larger than the little ants you see outside. They are often black or brownish-red in color. They will tunnel into wood to build their homes and can even cause damage to homes. You can see carpenter ants outside around dead tree stumps.
Pavement Ant information for kids:
Pavement ants love sweets, fruit like honeydew and cantaloupe and even greasy foods too! These ants find their food at night and move very slowly. In the spring, colonies of pavement ants go to war against other colonies! Pavement ants can be found in sidewalks, baseboards, near water sources, and around stones or wood. Sometimes they are found in the plumbing pipes!
Click here for more ant facts or ant pictures for kids!
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Beetles |
Beetles are found all over the world! Soldier beetles can often be found in homes and cannot hurt humans. There are 12,000 different kinds of ground beetles in the United  States. Most beetles live outside and eat other insects. Aquatic beetles live near water sources. These beetles have wings and can fly, but they are more suited to traveling in water.
Beetles find the food they like in houses, bakeries, grain stores and warehouses - anywhere food is stored, especially dried food, such as grain, cereals, flour and nuts. That’s just another reason why you should protect food using well-sealed plastic or glass containers. These keep beetles out and prevent the spread of new insects. If these don’t work, sometimes an exterminator is needed.
For more beetle information, you can visit the Amazing Beetle Page! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Bees |
Bumble Bees: The bumble bee is best known for its yellow and black fuzzy stripes. They also appear to be very furry. Bumble bees feed on spring flowers and search for places to start new colonies. Workers emerge about 21 days after the the queen bee lays her eggs. The worker bees collect pollen and nectar from the flowers – and help defend the colony.
 Carpenter Bees: The carpenter bee is a large, yellow and brown bee that becomes active in early spring. This bee is commonly 2/3 to 1 inch long, usually with a shiny body. Although it is rare to be stung by one, they can be scary because of their large size. You should stay away from them.
Honeybees: The honeybee has been around for at least 100 million years! These bees produce honey for food – and store the honey in their hive during the long months of winter. They live in colonies and have jobs. The queen is the largest bee in the colony and lays the eggs that produce more bees. The drones have no stingers – their job is to reproduce with the queen. Worker bees guard the hive entrance and help to keep the hive cool by fanning their wings. Worker honeybees also collect nectar to make honey.
For more bee information, you can visit buzz over to the Bee Hive! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
More Bugs and Creepy Crawlies |
Cockroaches: Cockroaches are large bugs that like to be around food! They can often be found near garbage cans or in sewers and basements. Cockroaches can see in any direction and they have hairs on their legs that allow them to touch things. Cockroaches’ antennae allow them to smell – but their mouths can smell too! Cockroaches can be dangerous. They can increase the chance for asthma in kids and can carry bacteria like salmonella.
Learn more cockroach facts and get more cockroach information! Click here!
Flies: There are many kinds of flies. Flies that you might come across are the common house flies, fruit flies, and gnats. Horseflies are another common type of fly. They bite! Still, the fly you are most likely to run into is the house fly. House flies are attracted to food and garbage that contains food. A clean home is the best defense against the house fly – but if they don’t seem to go away, you may need a pest/rodent control expert.
Lice: There are two common types of lice – head lice and body lice. Head lice are found on the head and latch on to hair. Head lice can also be found on the eyebrows and eyelashes. Body lice (sometimes called clothing lice) are found on the body and attach their eggs to fibers of clothing. If you find yourself scratching your head or body a lot – be sure to tell your mom or dad. It could be lice – and your mom and dad should ask your doctor how they should be removed. There are various lice shampoos and lice combs that help get rid of lice.
Wasps:  There are many kinds of both of these pests. Wasps are known for their stinging. Wasp nests may be as simple as a burrow in the ground. Some wasp nests are above ground and are made of mud attached to twigs, rocks, or human structures. Among the most intricate nests are those made of paper fibers collected from dry wood and bark and mixed with the wasps' saliva.
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can also be dangerous if they bite you, but they are not known as “stingers”. Mosquitoes can be found almost anywhere and at any time of the year, depending on where you live. If you have cold winters, they might not be around as much. Mosquitoes like food and stagnant water resources, such as puddles or ponds. Many mosquitoes will suck your blood if they stay on your skin long enough! Ask your parents about putting on some protective lotion or spray when you go outside. If a mosquito bites you, wash the bite(s) with soap and water. Don’t scratch! And then ask mom or dad for some anti-itch medicine. If mosquitoes become a big problem around or even in your house – you should call an exterminator immediately!
Click here to learn more about mosquitoes and wasps! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Mice, Rats and Opossums |
Mice are dark grey with hairless tails. Mice enter homes through small holes in the walls and floor and can contaminate human food. Mice also carry diseases, so stay away from them if you see one – and tell your parents. A pest/rodent control expert might be needed to come get rid of the mice in your home.
 Rats are usually brown or grey. The Norway rat is the largest and most common. It has a long body and small hairless ears and a short hairless tail. Rats will chew on just about anything – including wires, which can cause a fire. These rodents also carry fleas and can spread disease to people and animals. To help prevent rats, cover garbage cans, remove debris, and block entrance ways – or call a pest/rodent control expert!
Opossums are often seen at night roaming alone. These rodents have beady eyes that shine when the light hits them. They have hairless tails, big teeth and are actually quite harmless, despite their scary appearance. Opossums will not harm you, but you should not approach one. They have 50 pointy teeth! To avoid opossums, do not leave food outside at night, make sure your trash cans are covered and your yard and lawn are trimmed. Also, keep your garage doors closed at night – so you don’t walk in to find a rodent surprise! Did you know that opossums are related to both the koala and the kangaroo?
Click here to learn more about rodents like opossums, rats, and mice.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Many household spiders can be found in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. Some spiders can be found in the upper corners of rooms or in attics. Most spiders hide in cracks, darkened areas, or areas where they can construct their webs. The black widow spider, brown recluse spider and various scorpions can not be killed with pesticides purchased in grocery stores, hardware stores, or big home supply stores. They probably will not work – so have your folks call a pest control expert if you see a spider. Pest control experts can also answer any spider questions you might have. 
Certain types of termites love to dine on wood! And because your home is probably mostly made of wood, it’s a good idea to protect your home from termites! Termites live in underground nests or colonies that may be 5 to 10 feet below the surface. They're only about 1/8 inch long and they will travel hundreds of feet for food. If termites eat the wood on your house – it can do a lot of damage. If you see wood damage to your house, ask your mom or dad to take a look, and then call an exterminator or pest control expert!
They’ve come to suck your blood! Yes – ticks can attach themselves to your skin and suck your blood into their tiny bodies. You should always wear long sleeves and pants if you play in the woods, where many ticks are hiding. Some ticks can be very dangerous. If you find a tick on you, tell a parent or guardian and have them remove it with sharp tweezers. Did you know that the tick is related to the spider?