By JESSICA DAMIANO

A neighbor texted me this week asking for advice on carpenter control bees. 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 made me think about the importance of taking the time to know if insects actually cause damage – and, if so, how much – rather than immediately reaching for an aerosol can or calling in the big guns.

We all know beneficial insects like ladybugs, dragonflies and bees, but it’s high time we reconsider our definition of “pests” and collectively add other less familiar insects to the list of friendly insects. 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. It turns out that they too play an essential role in the ecosystem, consuming decaying vegetation and constituting an important food source for birdsfrogs 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” upsell.

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. However, they “drill” 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 (and protect 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.