我們的家Our Houses
「家」是什麼呢？家是一個具體的物理空間，不論是簡陋的避難所或是華麗的別墅，都是人們可以遮風蔽雨的實體居所。但嚴格來說，人類的「家」無論如何與外界封閉、隔離，仍是大自然中的一部份，對節肢動物而言，如果這個「家」是適於居住的絕佳環境，牠們也就毫不客氣地當成是自己的家了。
What is a house? A house is a specific physical space, whether a crude and simple shelter or a luxurious mansion. It is a place for living that provides protection from the elements. But, no matter how shut off from the outside world or how isolated a human house is, it is still part of nature. Our "houses" are also suitable living environments for some arthropods and they are not in the least hesitant to make themselves at home.
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害蟲？益蟲？Harmful Arthropods? Beneficial Arthropods?
想一想，蝴蝶、蜜蜂、蟑螂、白蟻，誰是益蟲？誰是害蟲？你心中一定馬上有了答案。但其實所謂的害蟲與益蟲都是人類主觀賦予的定義，莎士比亞曾說，「事物本身沒有好壞之分，是人類的思想決定了它的意義。」動物因為人類的好惡而被分了等級，將可以提供人類好處的蟲視為貢獻良多的益蟲，而視與人類資源重疊的蟲為罪該萬死的害蟲，自私地決定了節肢動物的生與死，也因此破壞了大自然的平衡。
Think about it. Butterflies, bees, cockroaches, termites. Which are harmful? Which are beneficial? You are sure to quickly come up with an answer. Humans have developed subjective definitions of harmful and beneficial arthropods. William Shakespeare once wrote, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Humans classify animals as "good" or "bad", based on whether they benefit humans or whether the resources they utilize overlap with those utilized by humans. This selfish and egotistical view of arthropods is destroying Nature's delicate balance.
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歡迎光臨Making Themselves at Home
任何節肢動物的生存都需要有適合牠們生長與繁殖的環境，人類所營造的居家環境，對某些節肢動物們而言，具有較室外穩定的生存環境，及不虞匱乏的食物來源，若再加上暢通無阻的通道，「家」就成了牠們的歡樂居所。人類總是試圖讓自己住得更舒適，並設法排除住在家中令人厭惡的蟲子，殊不知這樣的行為，反而造就更多適應於居家環境的節肢動物。
For any arthropod to survive, a suitable environment for growth and reproduction is required. The human house is a more stable living environment than the outdoors and there is an unceasing supply of food. Added to that is unobstructed access, making the house, a happy dwelling place. Humans work to create more comfortable homes and to design ways to keep out arthropods they consider pests. They don't understand that this behavior actually leads to more arthropods adapting to life in their houses.
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蟲與牠們的棲地Arthropods and Their Habitats
2016年美國北卡羅萊納州立大學調查美國50間房子節肢動物多樣性，結果共採到579種節肢動物，平均每間房屋擁有100種以上的蟲子，這個數據遠超乎我們的想像。臺灣位居亞熱帶及熱帶氣候區，其溫濕度更適於節肢動物的生存，生活於家中的種類與數量必高於此數據，只是一直以來我們忽略了牠們的存在，究竟這麼多蟲子平常都躲在哪裡呢？
In 2016, researchers at North Carolina State University in the US conducted a survey of the diversity of arthropods in 50 US houses. From their results, among 579 total species, each house had an average of more than 100 species. This number seems far beyond our imagination. Taiwan, which is located in subtropical and tropical climate zones, has a humidity level well suited to many arthropods. The number of species in homes in Taiwan most likely surpasses that of the US. But, many go unnoticed. Exactly where do they hide?
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ertone et a.l (2016) 調查 50 間美國家庭中節肢動物之物種多樣性比例圖Species proportional diversity of arthropod orders across all rooms. (Figure modified from Bertone et a.l ., 2016)
誰躲在我家? Who is Hiding in My House?
不同的食物與環境會吸引不同的節肢動物，希望知道家中有哪些蟲？喜歡出現在什麼地方？可以透過定期檢視、監測與鑑定，來了解這些節肢動物的種類、生活史、棲息地，與隨著季節或時間上族群的改變，再經由這些資訊了解家中蟲子的多樣性及潛在問題，做為日後防治的參考。
Different types of foods and environments will attract different species of arthropods. Do you want to know which species are in your house and where? Through regular inspections, monitoring and identification, you can understand these arthropod species, their life histories, habitats, and population changes by season or time. With this knowledge of the diversity of arthropods in your house, potential problems can be avoided and appropriate eradication methods can be carried out if needed.
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特異功能Extraordinary Skills
經過長期的演化選汰，每個節肢動物種類都有其適應環境的高超本領，如果能放下對居家蟲節肢動物的成見，從另一個角度來欣賞牠們，就能發現牠們不論是在形態結構、生物學及行為方面，都有令人讚嘆的特異功能，是值得學習的典範，也是最佳研究與科學教育題材。試著了解牠們，並深入觀察牠們，您將會對這些蟲住民們有不同的全新感受。
After a long period of evolution and natural selection, every arthropod species is well able to adapt to its environment. Setting aside any biases toward household arthropods and looking at them from another perspective, such as morphological structures, biology or behavior, you will discover that they have amazing skills. They are examples well worth studying. They are also the best subjects for research and science education. By understanding and observing them in detail, you will develop a whole-new admiration for household arthropods.
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小小蟲子我怕怕Small and Scary Arthropods
大多數的居家節肢動物對人無害，只有少數蟲子會引起我們身體不適、致病或甚至死亡，但卻有不少人對居家節肢動物心生厭惡與恐懼，這樣的感覺，往往來自於後天的學習或對牠們的未知。當家中出現不預期的節肢動物時，我們若不去了解問題所在，而直接使用化學藥劑處理，一旦無法在短期內解決時，即可能引發居住者的恐慌，甚至導致心理方面疾病。事實上，只要清楚家中的節肢動物習性與食性，即能以正確方式減少牠們的存在。
Most household arthropods are not harmful. Only a few species can cause physical discomfort, disease or even death to humans. However, many people are disgusted by or fearful of household arthropods. This is mostly due to acquired learning or lack of knowledge. If we don't fully understand why certain arthropods unexpectedly appear, we may directly turn to chemical insecticides. If these do not resolve the problem in the short term, this can lead to panic and even mental distress or illness. If you clearly understand the habits and feeding behaviors of household arthropods, it is possible to develop appropriate methods for reducing their numbers.
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請你麥擱來Dont Come Back Again
當節肢動物出現於居家環境時，多數民眾常因不認識或不了解這些蟲子，就直接以化學藥劑處理，這樣的作法除影響自身健康外，更對環境造成嚴重污染，且治標不治本。最好的防治方法是運用綜合害蟲管理概念，先知道家中有哪些節肢動物、喜歡棲息於何種環境，再透過改善環境來預防蟲子發生，或是以移除食物方式，來預防和降低家中節肢動物的為害，達到防治效果。只有在少數特殊情況下，才考慮使用化學藥劑來解決害蟲問題。
When arthropods appear in the home, many people use chemicals as their first resort due to their lack of understanding. This not only impacts on health, but also contaminates the living environment. Moreover, the root of the problem goes unresolved. The best method is to apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concepts. First, understand which arthropods are in your house and the types of environments they prefer. Then, prevent arthropod infestations by improving the environment of your house. Or, eliminate potential food sources to reduce household arthropod numbers. Only in a small number of special circumstances should chemical insecticides be considered.
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如果家裡沒有蟲? What If There Are No Arthropods in My House?
如果在家中找不到任何蟲子，恐怕我們得開始擔心了。正常而言，家是大自然的一部份，必定會有節肢動物棲息喜歡的環境或食物。如果家裡沒有蟲子，只可能有兩個原因：即家中環境不適於蟲生存，蟲子不願進入，或屋外蟲子均已滅絕，當然也不會有蟲進入屋內了。不適蟲生存的環境，一定也不適於人類生存。因此不論哪種原因，都表示環境出了問題，而這樣的環境是我們所盼望的嗎？
We should start to worry if we don't find any arthropods in our homes. Our homes are part of Nature, thus they are sure to possess environments and food sources attractive to some arthropod species. There are only two possible reasons for there to be no arthropods in a house. The environment of the house is not suited to the survival of arthropods or there are no surviving arthropods outside the house. However, an environment not suited to the survival of arthropods is also not suited to the survival of humans. Therefore, this implies a problem in the environment. Is this the type of environment we hope to have?
如果人類消失，地球將回復平衡和諧；若昆蟲消失了，環境將會崩潰瓦解帶來大災難。
愛德華。威爾森 (生物多樣性之父)
If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.
E. O. Wilson (The Father of Biodiversity)
