DAPHNE, Ala. — “What’s the three parts of an insect?” Bob Nagy of Orkin asked children at Daphne Public Library’s summer reading session on Tuesday. A chorus of children answered, “Head, thorax and abdomen.”

Children  learned about pests such as mosquitos, yellow jackets and ticks; they engaged in a lengthy discussion about bed bugs that induced several “ews” and “yucks,” and sparked insightful questions from the third- through fifth-grader “tweens.”

“They always say ‘sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite;’ are they actually in your bed?” Melissa Mayfield, 9, said.  

Nagy said the saying is true. Bed bugs hide in the folds of mattresses, linens and inside folded clothes in dressers.

Professionals are needed to get rid of infestations because insects continually multiply, he said.

Nagy thinks he knows the reason behind the recurring problem.

“It’s because we’re in a mobile society,” he said. “We’ve reinvented the definition of a melting pot.”

Bed bugs are not the only result of easy and frequent travel, he said. Formosan  termites and fire ants entered the country through the port of Mobile Bay.

The children watched a video about insects and looked at specimen of the dobbins fly and Southern house spider.

Afterward, the class made insect mobiles and doorknob hangers during an arts and crafts activity.

This week marked the end of the Daphne Public Library’s summer reading sessions. Children have learned about several insects from guest speakers, puppet shows and materials.

Reading logs are due on Monday and the top three winners from each age group will receive awards at the July 21 city council meeting.

Purchase pictures of this event at GulfCoastPhotosnow.com!