Much to the dismay of homeowners across the globe, carpenter bee damage can be a serious problem.
The carpenter bee is a large, black and yellow bee that is often mistaken for a bumblebee. They get their name because they burrow into wood to make their nests. Carpenter bees are usually not dangerous to people because they are not aggressive, but they do damage to untreated wood structures by boring holes in them to make nests where they lay their eggs.
Pests like wasps and termites are usually very dangerous, but these bugs can really bother people if they don’t get rid of them.
This article will tell you important things about these bees, the harm they do, and how to get rid of them if you have a problem.
If you’re having issues with carpenter bees, proof. pest control is here to help. Using cutting-edge, organic techniques, we are equipped to deal with any pest, any time. Contact us today for a free consultation.
As the weather warms up, you may start to notice large, bee-like insects hovering around wooden structures, investigating tiny gaps and crevices. These are likely carpenter bees scoping out sites to build their nests and lay eggs. Although carpenter bees play an important role as pollinators, their nesting habits can seriously damage wood buildings, decks, and outdoor furniture. Instead of swatting them away or using harmful pesticides, a better solution is filling their holes to humanely prevent nesting.
Why Do Carpenter Bees Bore Holes?
To reproduce, female carpenter bees drill holes into wood, preferably softer types like redwood, cedar, cypress and pine. They favor weathered and untreated boards because the wood is easier to excavate Some common targets include decks, fences, barns, sheds, and outdoor furniture
Using her strong mandibles, a female carpenter bee chews out a smooth, round hole up to half an inch wide. This entrance tunnel extends for about one inch then widens into a larger hollowed out gallery. Within this nesting chamber, she deposits several eggs, leaving pollen provisions to sustain her young when they hatch. The emerging offspring will overwinter inside the hole before chewing their way out the next spring.
Protecting Your Wood Structures
Once you spot carpenter bees starting to investigate your property, taking prompt action can help halt damage. Simply plugging their entry holes forces these solitary bees to move on rather than excavating further into the wood. Here are some effective fillers:
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Wood putty or wood filler – These wood-colored compounds can be pressed into holes and sanded smooth once dry.
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Caulk or silicone sealant – Clear acrylic or silicone caulking squeezed into holes creates a waterproof barrier.
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Cork stoppers – Wine corks are just the right size to jam into quarter-inch holes. Break off any excess length.
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Plastic drinking straws – Cut straws to size and insert into holes. Seal entry point with caulk.
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Steel wool – Compactly stuffing coarse steel wool deters chewing. Apply caulk over top.
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Cedar golf tees – Shave and whittle wooden tees to wedge tightly into holes.
Regularly inspect repaired areas to ensure new holes don’t pop up nearby. A good preventative option is applying a beeswax wood finish or polyurethane sealer, which helps harden and protect exposed wood surfaces
When to Take Action
The ideal time to implement carpenter bee control is early spring. This allows you to get ahead of females arriving to assess potential nest spots. Focus on locating existing holes, especially around areas like eaves, window frames, and deck boards. Holes may be perfectly round or slightly jagged if bees chewed an exit.
Plugging holes as soon as you notice them prevents bees from taking up residence and laying eggs. It also stops them from burrowing further through the wood, which can severely undermine structural integrity over time. Don’t wait until you see bees flying in and out of holes to make repairs.
Benefits of Exclusion Over Insecticides
It’s tempting to pull out harsh chemicals and sprays when carpenter bees start invading your property. However, insecticides are not very effective against these wood burrowing bees. They also endanger beneficial pollinator species like honey bees visiting nearby flowers.
Simply filling holes provides lasting results without toxins. Plus, exclusion techniques are extremely affordable using common hardware store supplies. Anyone can easily patch holes and save their wood projects. By taking this gentle approach, you protect your home while also safely allowing carpenter bees to continue their vital pollination activities elsewhere.
With a few basic steps, you can outsmart those destructive carpenter bees seeking to set up house. Let them know loud and clear that your wooden fixtures are not open for nest excavation! Keep your eyes peeled for the first sign of fresh holes, and fill them fast. A little proactive hole-plugging goes a long way towards preventing major carpenter bee headaches down the line.
Are Carpenter Bees Dangerous?
Carpenter bees are not aggressive, and they will only sting humans if they are handled or squished. Male carpenter bees don’t have stingers, so they can’t really hurt people (at least not directly). If you put your hand near their nest holes, the mother bees will probably get angry enough to sting you.
Carpenter bees are mostly dangerous because they can damage the structure of homes and other buildings. Their nests can weaken wooden beams, eaves, and rafters over time, which could lead to dangerous collapses.
In addition, the sawdust and wood shavings they create while nesting can clog up ventilation systems. When homes and other buildings are treated for carpenter bees on a regular basis, they are much less likely to get damaged. If you think you have a problem with carpenter bees, you should call a professional pest control service to come take a look.
How to Prevent Carpenter Bee Damage
If you have more and more problems with carpenter bees every year, you might want to do some maintenance work on the outside of your house. This is especially relevant for homeowners with wooden decks or porches. Because there is more surface area for bees to drill holes in and more exposure to the weather, an unfinished deck is like an apartment complex for these pests.
On surfaces like decks and windowsills, some professionals recommend that you reseal and refinish every two years. However, that is definitely a big commitment for most people. You can prolong the finish of a deck by sweeping it regularly, rotating furniture, using synthetic mats or rugs, and washing it annually.
Fixing or getting rid of any rotting wood on your property can help keep both carpenter bees and termites away. It’s also just good practice for homeowners in general. Epoxy can be used to fix wood that is only slightly damaged, but it is often more expensive and less effective than taking out the damaged wood and replacing it.
If you’d like a deeper dive on the subject, check out this in-depth guide on how to repair rotten wood.
To get rid of carpenter bees, you can also just take down the wood they are nesting in and put up new wood in its place. It might be a cheap and easy way to fix the problem, depending on where the wood is. However, this may not be possible if the wood is structural support for your home.
If you think you have a problem with carpenter bees, you should call a professional to come look at it and give you their opinion.
Keeping Food Sources Away
You can also get rid of carpenter bees by taking away their food source. If you move or take away their pollen and nectar sources, they’ll go somewhere else to find more. Don’t put gardens next to old or unfinished wood, or right next to your house if the windowsills or siding are made of wood.
Bee Repellents and Sprays
Pesticides might work for a short time, but they’re not the best way to keep bees away for good. Sprays for people can keep carpenter bees away for up to three weeks before they start to fade, so you’ll need a lot of it to cover an area all season. If you choose to use sprays, put them on any area of wood that hasn’t been treated or is breaking down, especially holes.
You can get rid of the bees more effectively with insecticide dust because it can be put much deeper into the nests than spray can. When deploying insecticide dust, be sure to wear a facemask so as to avoid breathing in the dust.
Vinegar can be used instead of sprays because it is cheaper and better for the environment, but it wears off even faster. However, avoid apple cider vinegar or wine-based vinegars. Some of these vinegars can leave behind sugar when they dry, which can bring in more bees or more dangerous pests like termites.
How To Fix Carpenter Bee Holes
FAQ
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