How Gardeners Can Control Harmful Insects, Protect Helpful Ones

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How Gardeners Can Control Harmful Insects, Protect Helpful Ones

Most gardeners know this story.

They have planted beautiful gardens and they are happy to see helpful insects like bees and butterflies surrounding the flowers. But as they take a closer look, the tomato plants are covered in black dots and filled with harmful insects like aphids.

Some gardeners may immediately reach for chemicals like pesticide¹. But this is not wise. Although it may stop the aphid problem, it will also threaten bees and butterflies. They help plants reproduce and keep harmful insects, or pests, under control.

Instead, take a series of small steps to control the harmful insects.

The process starts with the idea that having some pests is acceptable. Only when there are too many pests should a pest control be considered. The first defense² should always be the safest method available.

Also remember that helpful insects like butterflies start out as caterpillars³. And all caterpillars eat plants. So, some plants will have at least some holes, which is good for the ecosystem⁴.

But how do you deal with the aphids on tomato plants? You want to wash aphids off with a strong current of water. It usually works. But if they continue to return after several attempts, and you believe it is time to take stronger actions, take another small step.

In this case, the next step would be to use a pest control called insecticidal soap. It is nontoxic and safe for people, helpful insects (when dry), and most plants. Make sure your plant is not one of the few that is sensitive to the product.

Prevention

As a rule, prevention is the best treatment. Inspect plants closely, including under their leaves, before bringing them home from the store. Do not bring any home that show signs of disease or the presence of harmful insects.

When planting, space plants out to permit them to grow to their full size. Plants too close together can grow harmful organisms like mold, mildew⁵, and fungus⁶.

Keep your garden clear of fallen leaves, fruit, and other waste. They invite insects and other harmful pests if permitted to remain on the ground.

When you do see pests like aphids, wash them away. Use rubbing alcohol for removing some insects or pick them off the plants. Traps can be used to capture insects like slugs.

Pesticides⁷

If you decide a pesticide is necessary, choose it carefully and follow the directions and warnings on the product. Avoid using any pesticides in extreme heat, on windy days, or when plants are wet.

Treat the plants early in the morning or at night, when helpful insects, like bees and butterflies, are inactive. It might hurt, but consider removing flowers from the plant to lessen⁸ the risk that helpful insects will come in contact with the pesticide. In most cases, more flowers will come.

Pesticides like insecticidal soap and horticultural oil work by suffocating⁹ pests rather than poisoning. They must come in direct contact with the pests, and they become safe for helpful insects once they have dried.

Words in This Story

pesticide – n. a chemical that is used to kill animals or insects that damage plants or crops

garden – n. an area of ground where plants (such as flowers or vegetables) are grown

nontoxic – adj. not poisonous

rubbing alcohol – n. a liquid that contains alcohol and water and that is used to clean wounds or skin

suffocate¹⁰ – v. to kill (someone) by making breathing impossible

1 pesticide   

n.杀虫剂，农药

参考例句：

• The pesticide was spread over the vegetable plot.菜田里撒上了农药。
• This pesticide is diluted with water and applied directly to the fields.这种杀虫剂用水稀释后直接施用在田里。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 caterpillars   

n.毛虫( caterpillar的名词复数 )；履带

参考例句：

• Caterpillars eat the young leaves of this plant. 毛毛虫吃这种植物的嫩叶。
• Caterpillars change into butterflies or moths. 毛虫能变成蝴蝶或蛾子。 来自辞典例句

4 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

5 mildew   

n.发霉；v.（使）发霉

参考例句：

• The interior was dark and smelled of mildew.里面光线很暗，霉味扑鼻。
• Mildew may form in this weather.这种天气有可能发霉。

6 fungus   

n.真菌，真菌类植物

参考例句：

• Mushrooms are a type of fungus.蘑菇是一种真菌。
• This fungus can just be detected by the unaided eye.这种真菌只用肉眼就能检查出。

7 pesticides   

n.杀虫剂( pesticide的名词复数 )；除害药物

参考例句：

• vegetables grown without the use of pesticides 未用杀虫剂种植的蔬菜
• There is a lot of concern over the amount of herbicides and pesticides used in farming. 人们对农业上灭草剂和杀虫剂的用量非常担忧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。

9 suffocating   

a.使人窒息的

参考例句：

• After a few weeks with her parents, she felt she was suffocating.和父母呆了几个星期后，她感到自己毫无自由。
• That's better. I was suffocating in that cell of a room.这样好些了，我刚才在那个小房间里快闷死了。

10 suffocate   

vt.使窒息，使缺氧，阻碍；vi.窒息，窒息而亡，阻碍发展

参考例句：

• If you shut all the windows,I will suffocate.如果你把窗户全部关起来，我就会闷死。
• The stale air made us suffocate.浑浊的空气使我们感到窒息。