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This image provided by Bugwood.org shows a ground beetle. (Joseph Berger/Bugwood.org via AP)

A neighbor texted me this week asking for advice on carpenter bee control. She was hoping for an exterminator recommendation, but I offered her a simple, do-it-yourself solution that was kinder to the wallet and the environment, and even more effective.

It got me thinking about the importance of taking the time to find out whether insects are actually causing damage – and, if so, to what extent – ​​rather than immediately reaching for a spray can or calling in the big guns.

We all know about beneficial insects like ladybugs, dragonflies and bees, but it’s high time we reconsider our definition of “harmful” and collectively add other less familiar insects to the list of friendly bugs. Native beetles, assassin bugs, and even wasps are among those that contribute significantly to the environment despite their menacing appearance.

The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain has even removed the pest designation for slugs and snails, generally considered threats to gardens. They also happen to play a vital role in the ecosystem, consuming decaying vegetation and providing an important food source for birds, frogs and other animals, with some species even helping to control algae.

This should come as no surprise: everything on Earth has a purpose, whether we realize it or not.

Fortunately, as gardeners learn more about the relationships between different life forms, they view insects as essential parts of a sustainable landscape rather than nuisances.

I told my neighbor that the pesticide an exterminator would use to try to eradicate his carpenter bees would also kill other pollinators and beneficial insects. Additionally, these chemicals would need to be applied repeatedly to maintain control, hence the “service plan” upselling.

Carpenter bees are large and, to the uninitiated, they look scary. But males don’t have a sting, and females only use theirs if they are clearly disturbed. Yet they do it “pierce” holes in wooden surfaces.

What to do

I recommended filling the holes with wood filler to prevent the bees from accessing their nests and force them to relocate. Additionally, carpenter bees don’t like painted surfaces, so painting bare wood would discourage hole drilling in the first place (while still protecting it from the elements).

Spraying nest openings with almond or citrus oil, which bees hate, would also be an effective deterrent.

If you have to act

Common sense should prevail, as particularly serious infestations might warrant a tougher approach. If so, look for an organic product, such as diluted Neem oil, sprayed only after dark to avoid exposing pollinators. Homemade soap sprays made by mixing 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a quart of water can be used to control soft-bodied insects on plants, if necessary.

Planting native plants with nectar-rich flowers will support native insects like ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps.

Avoid planting the same crops in the same beds year after year. Rotating them will essentially starve pests that target specific plants and provide a clean slate when you reintroduce them into the bed two or three years later.

And learn to accept it “pest” activity. A few leaf nibbles should not warrant eradication. These measures should only be taken when a damage threshold is crossed. In many cases this will not be the case.

The circle of life

A single nest of baby birds consumes between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars, insects and worms during their first weeks of life. Encourage prospective avian parents to nest on your property by installing a feeder and providing them with fresh, clean water. They will do a great job and work for free.

And it is without a doubt the best exterminator a gardener could hope for.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.