Why Did Mall of America Release over 100,000 Bugs in the Mall?

This story has the potential to bug some people, especially if you're not a fan of insects and ladybugs in particular.

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota recently released over 100,000 ladybugs inside the mall, I know, ooh, right! Why would they do such a thing?

Well, don't worry, you won't be finding a handful of ladybugs crawling out from inside one of the pockets of the next pair of jeans you buy there.

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The recent release of Ladybugs is actually a very good thing and done for a very good reason.

In case you've never noticed, there are over 30,000 plants and trees scattered throughout the Mall of America. Each year, for the past 30 years, the mall has been releasing all these hardworking little ladybugs who act as natural pesticides to help protect plants from harmful pests such as aphids.

According to the Mall of America website, local children from around the Twin Cities area, together with the Mall's dedicated landscaping team released these little ladybugs on thousands of live plants throughout the Mall and the Nickelodeon Universe.

READ: Body Heat is One of the Main Heat Sources for the Mall of America

It's all part of the Mall of America's continued commitment to green and its annual celebration of Earth Month in April.

Some of the plants and trees you can find inside the Mall of America include a lemon tree, an orange tree, a shrimp plant, a bird of paradise, and countless others.

So the next time you take a trip up to the Mall of America, you should keep an eye out for some of these unique plants and trees in between people-watching. Who knows you might even spot a few of these ladybugs on the job.

Source: Mall of America

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

11 Things You’ll Only Understand After Living in South Dakota

From soda to pop to sloppy Joes, different parts of of the country have their own local quirks and language. Simple phrases can have totally different means, local events may seem weird, and food may go by a unique name.

If you're new to South Dakota here is a sort of translation guide for some odd things you may see or hear.

Filed Under: Earth Month, Ladybugs, mall of america, Minnesota

Categories: Articles, Newsletter KMXC

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Why Did Mall of America Release over 100,000 Bugs inside the Mall?

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

11 Things You’ll Only Understand After Living in South Dakota