Q. When is the best time of the year to spray my garden for insects?

A. Before you consider using any pesticide in your garden, you must first determine if the insects found in your garden are actually causing harm. Many insects found in our gardens are beneficial. Beneficial insects are important for many different reasons. Some are predators and perform natural pest control. Others are crucial pollinators. Another consideration to be taken is the extent of damage to the plant. If a small percentage of the plant is affected, it may not be necessary to apply an insecticide, especially if the insect will only be present for a short time during its life cycle. Applying chemical pesticides will not only kill the insect that is damaging the plants, but will harm beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies. Furthermore, the chemical is most likely toxic to humans and harmful to the environment. If a chemical treatment is necessary, it is best to pursue the least toxic options first.