Stream now with KPBS+ / Watch Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. on KPBS 2
What's so bad about bugs? Some may cause problems but the majority of bugs play important roles in nature, pollinating plants, preying on pathogens, aerating the soil and more. On this episode, we explore the world of "good bugs" by visiting the pollinator garden at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum where children count bugs as part of a nation wide assessment of pollinators.
Nan visits an insectary (bug farm) in Ventura that grows "good bugs" to combat the "bad bugs"; a seed company in Salinas, California that uses flies in their breeding programs; and a researcher at UC Riverside who traveled the world to find the "good bugs" that prey on insects that carry citrus greening disease, a disease that threatens California's entire citrus industry.
Watch On Your Schedule: Episodes of A GROWING PASSION are available to stream with KPBS+, a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.
You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience).
Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.
About The Series: From earth-friendly and water-wise gardens to organic foods and habitat restoration, San Diegans demand options that protect our health, feed our communities and protect our natural resources. Hosted by Nan Sterman, A GROWING PASSION explores backyard food production, major horticultural growers, low-water landscapes and sustainable practices around the home and in the garden.
