Website introduces kids to bugs, pests

Children looking to learn more about creepy crawlers and furry critters have a new resource. The National Pest Management Association’s new children’s website, www.pestworldforkids.org, blends fun and education in an online portal into the pest world.

Comprised of five sections: Amazing Pests, Threats & Prevention, For Teachers, Learning Games, and Pestcards, the site lets children discover fun facts about their favorite insects, research pest-transmitted diseases and play a variety of engaging, educational games.

According to National Pest Management Association Public Affairs Director Cindy Mannes, "We have had so much positive feedback on this site––from children, parents and teachers."

Children who have visited the site made the following comments:

"I wondered why you would want to learn about bugs, but it teaches you all these things about bugs, and how you can prevent them."

"I thought it’d be gross, but I liked how it was animated––that made it more fun and less gross."

Mannes said, "Families exploring the site together have a great opportunity to learn about and discuss the dangers of pest-spread illness and important preventive steps, as well as to develop a better appreciation for the role pest control professionals play as protectors of public health and property."

The Amazing Pests section differentiates between a "critter" and a "pest," highlights little-known interesting pest facts such as "the total weight of all termites in the world is greater than the total weight of all people in the world," and offers an interactive quiz on pest tidbits showcased throughout the site.

Threats & Prevention provides a look at pest-related health and property threats using language that is easily understood by children. By offering maps, pictures and simple definitions, the site helps to make abstract pest threats, such as Hantavirus, comprehendible for children.

"Pestworldforkids.org was designed by an educational Web design firm. The company integrated educational theories, curriculum standards and National Science Foundation requirements in all of the site components," said Mannes.

The site also includes two interactive Learning Games: Pest Detective and Name that Pest.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.