Janet Needham is trying to change the negative buzz surrounding insects.

She wants to open Bakersfield's Bug Zoo Aug. 8 in the Golden State Mall with the goal of not only showing off some creepy crawlers, but also emphasizing the importance of entomology.

"I want to teach about the environment," Needham said. "Without bugs, our world wouldn't be the way it is."

She said she also hopes to "ignite your child's imagination."

The idea first struck her three years ago. While on her honeymoon, Needham visited the Victoria Bug Zoo in British Columbia. "I thought, 'That's so cool!'" Needham said.

Plus, "I thought, Bakersfield could really use more educational entertainment," she said. "Something to get kids out of the house."

Her vision started large: She wanted to use a 3,000- to 5,000-square-foot space, and she wanted to have an entomologist on staff.

She had trouble finding a sponsor or investor to help pay for it, though.

But she never gave up. She settled on a space at Golden State Mall, 3201 F St.

She also found an investor: Her husband was willing to take money of out of the couple's savings account.

Bill Needham said he was hesitant about spending the money, which ended up being under $10,000. "But you won't know if it's successful unless you try."

Things are starting to come together for the zoo, which will feature a variety of bugs including butterflies, taranchulas, spiders, beetles and centipedes, Needham said.

Most of the time the bugs will be displayed, but every once in a while she will have a "parade" where they will be set out on a table and kids can pick them up.

But there are more obstacles to overcome. Needham already had to push back the zoo's grand opening as she had to wait an extra week for the floor to be put in.

There's one other pesky problem: A vendor Needham will get the insects from won't ship the bugs unless the weather is under 90 degrees. And with this being Bakersfield, that could take another month or two.

Needham still hopes to get an entomologist on staff, even a student from a local college. She also hopes to have at least two clerks.

But for the time being, this is a one-woman operation.

Fortunately, insects are relatively low maintenance, said Don Richardson, curator of the California Living Museum, which has its own collection of insects. "But certainly any animal requires a certain amount of care."