harbour pests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harbour pests" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to unwanted or troublesome creatures that take refuge in a specific location, often in the context of gardening, agriculture, or environmental discussions. Example: "The old shed in the backyard has become a place where we harbour pests, making it difficult to maintain a healthy garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The flowers are loved by bees in the same way as lavender Biodiversity is important partly because a monoculture can harbour pests and disease.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The snake was taken to quarantine and euthanised "as exotic reptiles of this kind can harbour pests and diseases not present in Australia", a spokeswoman told Guardian Australia.

Independent

Traditional practices that reduce effective pest population include the elimination of diseased or infected plants or seeds (roguing), cutting out of infected plant parts (surgery), removal of plant debris that may harbour pests (sanitation), and alternating crops unacceptable to pests (rotation).

Britannica

health related – weeds that harbour pests and diseases or act as alternative hosts for such species.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Keep doors closed when they are not in use, and remember that if you have any items that have not been disturbed for a long period of time they may be harbouring pests – always clear unwanted items".

The Guardian

C. odorata harbours pests such as Aphis spiraecola Patch.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

These linear habitats are key to maintaining local biodiversity, but can also harbour "irruptive pest" species, such as voles.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Adequate care was taken to ensure that the plants did not harbour any insect or mite pests.

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control

Although green is a common colour for externally feeding herbivores, many externally feeding insect pests are known to harbour variation in body colour, including purple, such as in Spodoptera caterpillars (Alford 2011).

Evolutionary Applications

Mr Hawley said he expected the number of call-outs dealing with rats in flood-hit regions such as Devon to have risen by around 25%. Brown rats are one of the planet's most serious mammalian pests, ruining crops and harbouring disease.

BBC

More than 795,000 homes harbour severe health threats from damp and mould, pests, electrical installations, excess cold, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, lead and other chemicals, including asbestos.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environments prone to pest infestations, use "harbour pests" to accurately convey that these places provide refuge and sustain pest populations.

Common error

Avoid using "harbour pests" when you mean to say pests are merely present, but not necessarily thriving. "Harbour" implies the location is actively supporting the pest population.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbour pests" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, describing the act of providing shelter or refuge to unwanted creatures. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harbour pests" is grammatically correct and describes the act of providing refuge to pests. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It commonly appears in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, indicating a neutral register. When writing, ensure that "harbour" accurately reflects that the location or object is actively supporting pest populations, not just a place where pests are present. Alternative phrases include "shelter pests" and "attract pests", depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shelter pests

Focuses on providing protection to pests, instead of the location where they are found.

cultivate pests

Emphasizes intentional fostering or breeding of pests, not just their presence.

attract pests

Highlights the action of drawing pests in, rather than the state of providing refuge.

provide a breeding ground for pests

Specifically refers to an environment conducive to pest reproduction, not just general habitation.

serve as a haven for pests

Implies a safe and secure refuge, potentially with a more positive connotation than the original phrase.

become infested with pests

Shifts the focus to the act of becoming overrun with pests, rather than the location's role.

be a hotbed for pests

Suggests a place of intense activity or development of pests, implying rapid growth.

offer refuge to pests

Highlights the act of providing safety, rather than the inherent quality of the place.

be a source of pest infestation

Points to the origin of pest problems, not simply a place where pests reside.

suffer from pestilence

Implies a widespread and devastating infestation, going beyond simple habitation.

FAQs

How can I use "harbour pests" in a sentence?

You can use "harbour pests" to describe a location or item that provides shelter and sustenance for pests. For example: "The neglected garden can "harbour pests" like aphids and snails."

What is a good alternative to "harbour pests"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "shelter pests" or "attract pests". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize shelter or attraction.

Is it correct to say "harbor pests" instead of "harbour pests"?

"Harbor" is the American English spelling, while "harbour" is the British English spelling. Both are correct, but use the spelling appropriate for your audience.

What does it mean for a location to "harbour pests"?

When a location is said to ""harbour pests"", it means it provides a suitable environment for pests to live and reproduce, offering them shelter, food, and protection from predators.