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Oct 3, 2016

Cheats Guide: Easy Pets for kids


*image credits to http://duffanimaldiversity.wikispaces.com/file/view/ladybug.jpg/312246224/ladybug.jpg

I know what you are thinking... you're probably thinking 'I don't need anymore so called easy pets for the kids they aren't exactly looking after the ones they already have!'

It's true. Caring for animals and pets is a big responsibility for kids. They are most likely always going to need your help with that and it can mean yet another things to do for you in a busy day. We do it though because we love them and they still learn something along the way. Even if it is just learning that they can count on you to look after those pets too.

Recently, I was talking to a lady who works with kids everyday, in a town far away. She told me that the kids at the daycare centre she works at became fascinated with Ladybugs. She followed this up by not only reading up about them and teaching them about them and making a whole bunch of colourful craft but she set up an indoor enclosure for these bugs (lots and lots of them).

It's funny how things work out. One of my kids recently brought one of these little creatures in to the house last week and asked if we could keep it. Not only did I not realise we had them in our garden but I honestly thought my children were too old for this sort of thing. Here's to change though, it looks like this week we will be setting up a habitat of our own. We're gonna need a few things though.

Here's what we'll need.

1. Insect box, spider cage, reptile tank or fish tank

Even though you can keep these bugs in a takeaway container the fact is the bigger it is the more bugs you can keep in there. Go for whatever the cheapest reasonable option is for you because somewhere along the line you are probably going to let them go. A takeaway container is fine as long as you put air holes in it but you can think big if you like. Whatever the choice, If you wanna make this happen it needs to be fully enclosed. If it doesn't have a lid, thats no problem. A bit of mesh, shadecloth or flyscreen will keep them in. Unless you are trying to sell it there's no real concern for how you keep it enclosed as long as both you and the air can get in and bugs don't come out before you let them go. I really don't recommend selling these.

*image credits to http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/27/2705/85GND00Z/posters/kenneth-garrett-close-view-of-a-ladybug-on-a-leaf.jpg

2. Habitat stuff

Don't bother even thinking about getting started if you don't want your bugs to feel at home. This bit isn't too hard though. Grab the things that are naturally available in their existing habitat and add it in such as leaves, flowers and pebbles. If you stack some sticks of varied lengths and sizes in there in a crafty way you can layer the homely goodies in a way that the best place to view them is at the front.

*image is from wikihow

3. Water

You will need to moisten the leaves with a gentle spray every day and perhaps leave a couple of milk bottle lids in there full of water. Bugs need water too.

4.Shade

Light is great but it can get hot in any container if they were roaming free in the garden they would have plenty of shade. If the bugs don't get any shade you will cook them. How are you going to explain that one to the kids?

*image credits to https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/sites/gateway/files/Peter%20Norris%20Agronomy%20for%20profit.jpg

5. Food

The typical red and black ladybugs or ladybeetles eat aphids and that's all! When you collect leaves from their natural habitat you should collect foliage or greens that have these little critters on it. If you can't you could always leave some soggy saltanas in there but if that's the case you should let them go after several days so they can go back to what they were doing. Never put anything acidic in there.

*remember, regardless of the success of your enclosure these beetles won't live long in captivity anyway. It's not natural and after you have had your kicks you should let them go or replace them before they suffer.

Ideas are thanks to RA from Evans Head.

Enjoy your bugs and aphids.

-Mez

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