Summer Bug Catching: Which Bugs Are Best for Kids to Catch?
For some people, often kids, summer means warm weather, no school, and flowers in full bloom! As kids go outside to play during summer break, bugs follow suit and come out to play as well. Summer bug catching is the best way to learn all about insects—their characteristics, colors, sizes, and more. This activity is a simple and fun way to continue learning even when school isn’t in session.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the summer bugs that you and your kids may catch during the summer!
Butterflies
Butterflies are one of the influencers of pollination. Pollinating flowers and other plants keeps various ecosystems active. You’ll be able to see all kinds of butterflies—like the American Lady, the Clouded Sulphur, and the Eastern-Tailed Blue butterflies—throughout meadows, fields, parks, and even your yard or garden!
Carefully capture butterflies by using a butterfly net. Simply wait for a butterfly to land and capture them (gently)! You and your children will love to look at their beautiful wing patterns and design.
Beetles
There are many kinds of beetles that vary in size, shape, and color. A ladybug is a member of the beetle family that is commonly recognized for its red- and black-spotted bodies. Not only are ladybugs a sign of good luck: They also play an important role in the ecosystem. As predators, they eliminate unwanted pests that may infest your garden.
Like butterflies, you can capture them gently through the use of a butterfly net.
Crickets
More likely than not, you’ve heard the chipping song of crickets that are in your backyard during warm summer nights. While the noise can often be harmonized with cicadas, crickets are found in fields and backyards all across the U.S.
Did you know that males chirp to attract females, but—as soon as a human is nearby—they quiet down? Also, crickets contribute to the ecosystem by eating weeds like crabgrass, which can be quite intrusive.
Pro tip: If you leave a soda bottle out overnight that still has a sip of the drink inside, crickets will flock to the sweetness and get stuck on the sugar. Catching crickets is super easy and fun!
Fireflies
There isn’t anything more Hallmark-y than a summer night filled with firefly catching! This activity is fun for people of all ages, and can brighten up any hot evening—literally! The chemical reaction that takes place in a firefly’s abdomen causes a yellow-green glow to appear. Not only are these summer bugs beautiful: They are also predators which eat the larvae of slugs, snails, and earthworms. This is beneficial to the ecosystem by keeping it in balance.
Capture them in mason jars, but be sure to poke holes on the lid so oxygen can come in for the little critters to breathe.
Have Fun Summer Bug Catching
We strongly encourage you to spend time outdoors this summer and play with your kids by summer bug catching. Continue to keep your eyes peeled, as the list above is not exhaustive and just a fraction of the insects that are in your backyard ready to be caught.
Keep in mind that too many bugs, however, can become a nuisance. If you feel like there is a spike in the number of bugs in your backyard, contact us at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control to schedule an appointment. We want you to enjoy your summer without worrying about a pest infestation!