Carpenter Bees

What Is A Carpenter Bee?

While most insects are social creatures, meaning they work together as a cohesive unit towards the same common goal, this isn’t the case for the carpenter bee. The carpenter bee is actually a solitary species. With a large size of ½ inch to 1 ½ inch, they can be somewhat imposing creatures. The males are black and orange, whereas the females are solid black. The carpenter bees are commonly mistaken for the bumblebee, but it is not just their hair abdomens that set them apart. A carpenter bee might have a black and shiny abdomen, but this is just one of the many distinct differences between them and the bumblebee.

Why Do Homes Have Carpenter Bees?

If you are infected with carpenter bees, you can just about guarantee your home is providing them with one of the essentials. It’s either shelter, water, or food they are getting from your home or nearby the home. That being said, it’s probably shelter since carpenter bees like to burrow into wood and most homes are constructed of wood. They dig into wood, creating tunnels oftentimes in areas like under decks, porches, and sheds. While they do burrow into wood, they do not eat it. If the problem is not rectified, carpenter bees with return year after year to invade the same areas of the home.

Are Carpenter Bees A Threat?

Most people automatically make the assumption that all bees are dangerous. And, this might be somewhat true. There is simply no getting around the fact that the carpenter bee does have a stinger. And, it can be imposing with its size. However, they don’t usually attack unless they feel the need. That being said, they are extremely aggressive around their nests. They will constantly fly around their nests, protecting them and ready to sting anyone that comes near. The female also possesses a stinger, but it more docile when it comes to the nest.

What really makes the carpenter bee so threatening is, the venom it possesses. Their venom when injected into some victims can cause severe allergic reactions that could even lead to death. When stung, one needs to seek medical attention immediately. What’s even more interesting with the carpenter bee is, they attract woodpeckers. This is because the woodpeckers feed on the larvae.

How To Eliminate Carpenter Bees

Successfully eliminating carpenter bees can be extremely difficult. And, most of this has to do with the fact that their venom is so lethal. In addition to this, the complexities and reach of the tunnels make it hard to ensure that you’ve successfully killed every creature. This is why most professional pest management firms like ours offer 30-day follow-up treatments. We’ll come back out 30 days after the initial treatment just to make sure we have successfully eliminated your infestation.

Can I Eliminate Carpenter Bees Myself?

While there are plenty of affordable, DIY solutions available for carpenter bees, they simply aren’t recommended. This is because it just takes one insect to survive. The surviving insect and easily return to the colony and repopulate it.

How To Prevent Future Infestations

As with any infestation, it’s best to hit the problem head-on and stop it before it starts. Unfortunately, this is much harder said than done. Especially, if you don’t know the facts until after. The best way to prevent carpenter bees is by utilizing hardwood rather than softwood. Another technique you can utilize is paint, lacquer, or sealant. Utilizing these materials will deter the creatures.

When Will Help Arrive?

As you can imagine, we are busy all year round. While carpenter bees aren’t a problem all year, we also treat a handful of other insect problems. Regardless, we are willing to accommodate our customers. All you have to do is give us a call and someone will be standing by, ready to assist.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.