害虫
Meanings
1
Refers to insects that damage crops, spread disease, or are otherwise harmful to humans. Can also be used figuratively for people seen as pests.
Farmers use pesticides to protect crops from harmful insects.
Cockroaches are a typical pest.
Usage patterns
- 害虫が発生するfor pests to appear/breed
A large number of pests appeared this year.
- 害虫を駆除するto exterminate pests
I had a professional exterminate the pests.
- 害虫を防ぐto keep pests away
This chemical is effective at keeping pests away.