Why economics bugs me.

I had a bit of an epiphany this weekend about economics. More accurately, I had an epiphany about why it is that economics rubs me the wrong way as often as it does.
Let me get the disclaimer out of the way up front: I’m not bugged by all economists. I’m probably not bothered by all economic theory or claims flowing from it. Heck, there’s a good chance, in the village of ScienceBlogs, that I am the village idiot as far as economics goes, and that what bothers me is misuse of economics rather than economics itself.
That said, I am still bothered.

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I’m overthinking this

Sign on the door of the San Francisco Zoo’s “Insect Zoo” building:

No food, drink, gum, or smoking in the Insect Zoo.

No smoking I understand (an indoor space in a part of the zoo aimed at children — and it’s California). I’m less certain about the gum (but no one wants to step in it).
Why no food or drink?
Are they worried it will attract bugs?