By JESSICA DAMIANO

A neighbor texted me this week asking for advice on checking carpenters bees. She was hoping for an eradication recommendation, but I gave her a simple, do-it-yourself solution that’s easier on the wallet and the environment, and even more effective.

It made me think about the importance of taking a hit find out if insects actually cause any damage — and if so how much — rather than immediately reaching for a spray can or calling in the big guns.

We are all familiar with beneficial insects like ladybugs, dragonflies and bees, but it’s high time we re-examine our definition of ‘pest’ and collectively add other, less familiar insects to the friendly bug list. Native beetles, assassin bugs and even wasps are among those that make significant contributions to the environment despite their menacing appearance.

Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society has even removed the pest designation from slugs and snails, which are commonly considered garden threats. As it happens, they also play an important role in the ecosystem, consuming decaying vegetation and acting as an important food source for birdsfrogs and other animals, with some species even helping to fight algae.

This shouldn’t come as a 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 see insects as essential components of a sustainable landscape rather than nuisances.

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

Carpenter bees are large and, to the uninitiated, scary. But the males have no stingers, and the females use theirs only if they are clearly disturbed. Nevertheless, they “drill” holes in wooden surfaces.

What to do

I recommended sealing the holes with wood putty to prevent the bees from accessing their nests and forcing them to move. Also, carpenter bees don’t like painted surfaces, so painting bare wood would discourage drilling in the first place (as well as protect it from the elements).

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

If you must act

Common sense should prevail, as particularly severe infestations may warrant a stronger approach. If so, look for an organic control, 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 gallon of water can be used to control soft bugs on plants, if needed.

Planting nectar-rich flowering native plants will support native insects such as ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps.