National Be Nice to Bugs Day
July 14
About National Be Nice to Bugs Day
National Be Nice to Bugs Day takes place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026. The day encourages people to rethink their instinct to swat, squash, or spray the insects they encounter, and instead to recognise the vital role bugs play in keeping ecosystems healthy. It is a light-hearted observance with a serious conservation message at its heart.
How to Celebrate National Be Nice to Bugs Day
Being kind to bugs costs nothing and takes very little effort. Here are some practical and enjoyable ways to mark the day:
- Resist the swat – The simplest way to honour the day is to leave bugs alone. If an insect wanders indoors, gently guide it back outside with a glass and a piece of card rather than reaching for a shoe.
- Build a bug hotel – Stack hollow stems, bamboo canes, pine cones, and bark in a sheltered corner of the garden to give solitary bees, ladybirds, and lacewings somewhere to shelter and breed.
- Plant for pollinators – Sow nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, borage, foxglove, and marigold. A small window box can make a real difference to bees and butterflies in built-up areas.
- Ditch the pesticides – Swap chemical sprays for natural pest control. Encouraging ladybirds and hoverflies will keep aphid numbers down without harming the wider insect population.
- Leave a wild patch – Let part of your lawn grow long, or leave a pile of leaves and logs undisturbed. These untidy corners are exactly where insects thrive.
- Set up a bug bath – Fill a shallow dish with water and add pebbles or marbles so insects can drink safely without drowning, especially during hot July weather.
- Go bug-spotting – Spend an hour observing insects in a park or garden. Apps and field guides can help children and adults alike identify what they find and appreciate the variety on their doorstep.
- Share the message – Post a photo of your favourite bug or your new bug hotel on social media to encourage others to take part.
What is National Be Nice to Bugs Day?
National Be Nice to Bugs Day is an annual observance dedicated to changing the way people think about insects and other minibeasts. Rather than viewing bugs as pests to be eliminated, the day asks us to see them as essential workers in the natural world. It is aimed at gardeners, families, schools, and anyone who shares their space with the crawling, buzzing, and fluttering creatures that outnumber us many times over. The tone is gentle and approachable, making it especially popular with children who are curious about the natural world.
When is National Be Nice to Bugs Day?
National Be Nice to Bugs Day falls on 14 July every year. In 2026 that date lands on a Tuesday. The date is fixed, so it is easy to plan a garden activity or classroom lesson around it well in advance.
The History of National Be Nice to Bugs Day
National Be Nice to Bugs Day was created in 2021 by Kiana Monson, who wanted to remind people to pause before killing an insect on sight. The idea grew out of a simple observation: the reflex to destroy a spider or beetle is often based on fear or distaste rather than any real threat, and that reflex, multiplied across millions of people, has consequences for the natural world.
Since its founding, the day has been picked up by conservation groups, pest-control educators, and wildlife charities who use it as a hook to talk about the alarming decline in insect numbers. Although it began as a modest observance, it has gained traction online as awareness of pollinator loss has grown, and it now sits alongside a cluster of mid-summer dates celebrating the smaller residents of our gardens and wild places.
The day reflects a wider shift in attitudes. Where once garden advice centred on eradicating anything that nibbled a leaf, many gardeners now actively encourage insect life, recognising that a garden buzzing with bugs is a sign of health rather than neglect.
Fun Facts About National Be Nice to Bugs Day
- Insects make up around 80 per cent of all known animal species on Earth, with more than a million described and many millions more thought to be undiscovered.
- A single ladybird can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime, making it one of the gardener’s most valuable allies.
- Bees and other insects pollinate roughly three-quarters of the world’s leading food crops, underpinning much of what ends up on our plates.
- Studies suggest that up to 40 per cent of insect species could face extinction in the coming decades, driven by habitat loss, pesticides, light pollution, and climate change.
- Dung beetles, often overlooked, recycle waste and improve soil so effectively that they save the cattle industry significant sums each year.
- Insects have existed for more than 400 million years, long predating the dinosaurs.
Why National Be Nice to Bugs Day Matters
Insects are the unsung engineers of life on land. They pollinate crops and wild plants, break down waste, enrich the soil, and form the base of food chains that support birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals. The dramatic decline in insect populations recorded in recent decades, sometimes called the insect apocalypse, threatens to unravel these systems. A day that nudges people towards small acts of tolerance and care, such as planting a few flowers or leaving a bug be, is a reminder that everyone can play a part in protecting them. If you enjoy days that celebrate our smallest neighbours, you might also like Don’t Step on a Bee Day, which falls just four days earlier in July.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Be Nice to Bugs Day?
It is an annual day that encourages people to treat insects with kindness, recognising their crucial role in pollination, soil health, and the wider food chain rather than viewing them simply as pests.
When is National Be Nice to Bugs Day in 2026?
It takes place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, and falls on the same date every year.
Who started National Be Nice to Bugs Day?
The day was created in 2021 by Kiana Monson, who wanted to encourage people to think twice before killing insects on sight.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your favourite bug photos, bug hotels, and pollinator-friendly gardens on social media with #BeNiceToBugsDay and #BeNiceToBugsDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to leave the bug spray in the cupboard for the day!
Related Awareness Days
- Don’t Step on a Bee Day – A playful July date that asks people to watch their step and look out for the bees underfoot.
- National Urban Beekeeping Day – Celebrates the growing movement of keeping bees in towns and cities to support pollinators.
- World Nature Conservation Day – A broader date focused on protecting the natural resources and wildlife that bugs help sustain.
Links
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