With the end of the school year on the not-too-distant horizon, teachers and students are probably ready for something new on the lesson plan. How does a Madagascar hissing cockroach sound?
The Clark Pest Control Bug Zoo travels to public and private schools across California (No. Ca, Orange County, Ventura and San Diego areas) to teach young students (grades three through six) about different bugs, their role in the environment, and their habitats. Spring is the ideal time of year to have the zoo make a visit to your school, as insect populations are blooming and booming!
The free, interactive program provides an entertaining and educational introduction to the fascinating world of insects and other arthropods. At the end of the program, each child is awarded a certificate verifying his or her status as a junior entomologist.
Among the topics covered are during the hour-long presentation are:
- Insect and spider anatomy
- Where our Bug Zoo pets live
- How they defend themselves naturally
- What insects eat
- Each species' technical (binomial) name
After the students listen to the presentation, they will be divided into small groups to participate in station activities, including the Bug-ology page, Bug Match, Bug Discovery, and a visit to the table in small groups to view each specimen that was discussed in the presentation.
The Bug Zoo display includes:
- Tarantulas: Versicolor, Chaco golden knee, and rose hair tarantulas. These stay in a protected enclosure; tarantulas may be taken out by a trained Clark handler for an up-close view.
- Scorpions: Desert hairy scorpion.
- Hissing Cockroaches: Due to their docile behavior and cleanliness, students may be able to handle one or view from a handler's hand up close.
- Cave Spider (tailless whip scorpion): Students may view up close while being held on natural habitat.
- Vinegaroon (whip scorpion): Due to their docile behavior, students may choose to hold or view from handler's hand.
The presentation will conclude (time permitting) with a handling demo of an adult female Chaco golden knee tarantula. Petting is allowed to those who want to participate, and backpacks with insect tattoos, activity, coloring booklet, and more are provided.
What do Clark Bug Zoo participants think of the program? The Clark Man asked the students at Castle Rock Elementary School in Castella, CA who wanted to take some of the insects home as pets!
“My favorite part of the Bug Zoo was the pregnant scorpion. It was really cool because of its light color and it just sat there.”
“I liked the whip scorpion the best because they don't use their tails to actually whip anything. They just tap things with them. Oh and the spray stinky stuff too."
"I love the baby hissing cockroaches. They are just so cute."
For more information on scheduling a bug zoo visit to your school, visit
www.clarkpest.com/about-us/bug-zoo or contact Clark Pest Control’s head zookeeper, Patty Smith, at (209) 368-7152, ext. 413 or
psmith@clarkpest.com .
If you have questions about insects, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.
Until next time, I’m the Clark Man and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.