Squeals, squeaks and snickers rang in the air as dozens of young children released thousands of ladybugs into the Evergreen Academy Preschool gardens on Earth Day last week.

“They don’t sting. They don’t bite. They just tickle,” said Evergreen Academy Principal Ami Satterfield, reminding students the ladybugs could not hurt them.

In groups of 20, preschoolers planted herbs and flowers before immediately letting loose the red beetles free to crawl about the planter beds, up children’s arms and in some of the students’ hair.

As part of learning the bug’s life cycle, students had raised the bugs in the classroom before letting them loose April 22.

Students learned the importance of bugs like these, which act as a natural pesticide when they feed on insects that could pose a threat to the health of various plants.

“Evergreen Academy teaches the importance of community and exploring nature at a young age,” according to a press release.

Evergreen Academy is part of a national network of more than 185 nonsectarian private schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia. It is located at 3601 228th Ave. S.E. in Issaquah.