Carpenter Bees
You’ll see carpenter bees active from early spring through late summer or early fall. They’re not social insects and do not live in nests or colonies. Economically, they are important because they pollinate crops and home gardens. However, these bees tend to hover around houses and other wooden structures when searching for mates and favorable sites to construct their nests.
Don’t be frightened if you see a carpenter bee. They won’t attack you. These bees fly very erratically around their homes. The male carpenter bee is aggressive when protecting its nesting site, but is harmless. Why? Because he doesn’t have a stinger. And the female will only sting when she feels threatened.
Females will nest in various types of woods, but she prefers the weathered and unpainted woods. She typically bores a perfectly round hole straight into the wood across the grain. Then she takes a right-angle turn to create her gallery where she can lay her eggs. The holes these bees make in wood may alarm you because this may often lead to more serious damage by woodpeckers when they try to feed on the carpenter larvae deep inside the holes.
To prevent carpenter bee infestations we would recommend painting, varnishing or applying a heavy sealant on all wood surfaces. Wood stains will not prevent carpenter bee damage.
If you suspect that you have carpenter bees, call Russell’s Pest Control. The inspection is free and we will make suggestions on the best treatment for your home to elimination your carpenter bee problem.
