Carpenter bees are large, solitary bees that get their name from their wood-boring habits Like other bees, carpenter bees serve an important role as pollinators in the ecosystem However, their wood-damaging behavior can cause problems for homeowners. If you notice carpenter bees buzzing around your property, you may be wondering – what attracts these insects in the first place? Read on to find out what draws carpenter bees in so you can take steps to deter them.
Flowers
Like all bee species, carpenter bees are attracted to flowers. They feed on nectar and gather pollen from blooms. Some of their favorite flowers include:
- Lavender
- Asters
- Salvia
- Zinnias
- Dandelions
- Clovers
- Lilacs
- Rhododendrons
- Hawthornes
Carpenter bees prefer open-faced, flat flowers that provide easy access to pollen. They are less attracted to tubular flowers or blooms with complex shapes. If you have an abundance of the flowers listed above, expect to see carpenter bees visiting your yard. Try to avoid planting vast amounts of these blooms right next to your home to deter bees from nesting on your property.
Untreated Wood
While flowers provide carpenter bees with food untreated wood offers nesting sites. Carpenter bees drill holes into wood to build their nests. They favor wood that is bare weathered, or unpainted. Some of the wood structures that attract bees looking for a home include
- Wood siding
- Fences
- Decks
- Sheds
- Barns
- Dead trees or stumps
- Wood piles
- Planter boxes
Carpenter bees seem especially fond of untreated cedar and pine. However, they will bore into any weathered softwood. To deter bees, paint or varnish wood on the exterior of your home. Also seal any knotholes in trees or gaps in wooden structures.
Existing Holes
In addition to untreated wood, existing holes attract carpenter bees. Once a hole has been drilled, it provides an ideal nesting spot. Carpenter bees often return to the same holes year after year. Females may also excavate new nests in the walls of old nest tunnels.
If there are already holes in your wood structures, try to seal them. You can also install a piece of mesh screen or steel wool in the holes. This deters the bees from re-using old nest spots. Getting rid of old carpenter bee holes is key to preventing new infestations.
Warmth
Carpenter bees prefer warm environments. They are most active in spring and summer when temperatures are higher. Like all insects, carpenter bees rely on ambient heat to stay active. That’s why they seek out areas that receive ample sunlight and warmth.
South or west-facing walls often attract carpenter bees due to increased sun exposure. Attics and eaves may also draw bees looking for hot spots to build their nests. Try blocking sunlight from wood structures to make areas less welcoming to nest-seeking bees.
High Elevations
Carpenter bees seem to favor high elevations for their nests. They often drill holes on the underside of eaves, rafters, fascia boards, and other overhangs. Nests are also common near the tops of fences, exterior walls, and dead trees.
Nests located 6-10 feet off the ground provide protection from predators and harsh weather. The height also allows the bees to utilize gravity when bringing pollen and nectar back to the nest. Try trimming back tree branches or foliage near your home to eliminate easy access to lofty nesting spots.
Sheer Surfaces
Carpenter bees like flat surfaces for their nests. Sheer walls, fences, eaves, and boards offer an ideal drilling spot. The straight angle provides support for the nest tunnel as it extends horizontally into the wood. Angled, curved, or irregular wood surfaces are less attractive to carpenter bees.
Consider adding decorative trim pieces, louvers, or other detailing to break up large flat wood areas. Unique wood detailing makes surfaces less inviting as nesting sites. It also enhances curb appeal and can help disguise existing bee holes.
Solitude
Carpenter bees are solitary nesters. Each female builds her own nest without help from other bees. She also guards the nest aggressively from intruders. Carpenter bees prefer to nest in secluded areas away from high traffic and human activity.
Deterring bees comes down to making an area seem less suitable for solitary nesting. Try hanging wasp or bee traps nearby to appear occupied. Install fake bees, hives, or nests to mimic activity and discourage nesting. Frequently use side doors or walkways where carpenter bees seem to be scouting for homes.
Preventing an Infestation
Now that you know what attracts carpenter bees, you can take steps to deter them from nesting on your property:
- Seal existing holes and paint/stain untreated wood
- Avoid planting vast amounts of flowers loved by carpenter bees
- Trim back tree branches and foliage around your home
- Install bee traps or decoy nests
- Add decorative wood trim pieces to break up large flat surfaces
- Keep woodpiles covered and store lumber indoors when possible
If you already have an established carpenter bee infestation, contacting a pest control professional is advised. They have the proper tools and products to remove bees and seal up nesting spots. A combination of preventative measures and bee removal will stop carpenter bees from boring holes in your home.
Carpenter bees serve an important ecological role as pollinators. But their destructive wood-boring comes at a cost for homeowners. Identifying what attracts carpenter bees is the first step in keeping them at bay. With some diligent prevention methods, you can deter bees from nesting on your property.
What Do Carpenter Bees Eat?
In their spare time, carpenter bees don’t eat wood. Instead, they eat pollen and plant nectar from nearby flowers.
Do Carpenter Bees Sting You?
There are stingers on the female carpenter bees, but they are calm and only sting when they are directly provoked, handled, or swatted.
Men, on the other hand, may look mean when they’re looking for mates or protecting their nests, but they’re actually not dangerous because they don’t have stingers.
Most species of carpenter bees are all black, or mostly black with some yellow or white coloring. People often mistake these hardworking bees for bumblebees, but most carpenter bees have a shiny abdomen instead of a fuzzy one. Apart from bumblebee queens, they are the largest native bees in the U. S.
Unlike bumblebees, carpenter bees are solitary insects. Female carpenter bees chew tunnels into wood to build nesting galleries, depositing the chewed frass outside their tunnels. This kind of nesting behavior weakens wood structures and creates minor surface damage.
Though some species are solitary, carpenter bees are often gregarious and create nests near each other. Even though males don’t have stingers, they fiercely guard the entrance to the nests, scaring people who live nearby for no reason.
Carpenter bees sleep through the winter and mate in the spring. To make room for their young, they clean out old holes and make them bigger. Each female builds six to eight chambers and lays her eggs on top of “bee bread,” which is a mix of pollen and nectar that the bee has regurgitated. Larvae typically hatch in August to feed on nearby nectar, before returning to their tunnels for winter.
Are carpenter bees attracted to?
FAQ
What is a good bait for carpenter bees?
How do you keep carpenter bees away?
Are carpenter bees good for anything?
What smell do carpenter bees hate?
Are carpenter bees attracted to wood?
To summarize, carpenter bees are attracted to softwood and untreated wood surfaces to create their nests. They drill clean, round holes and create tunnels for their eggs. By addressing these factors, you can reduce the chances of carpenter bees nesting in your structures.
Where do carpenter bees live?
Open Landscapes: Carpenter bees can also be found in meadows, orchards, and open woodland environments where there are plenty of flowers for nectar and pollen. Sheds and Barns: Older wooden outbuildings are especially susceptible because they often lack the paint or treatments that deter these bees.
What do carpenter bees eat?
Within each chamber, the female carpenter bee lays an egg on a ball of pollen and nectar she collected. The egg will hatch into a larva and eat the pollen ball as its only source of food. Carpenter bees often nest in small groups, and the same nests are used year after year, growing more elaborate with each generation.
Are carpenter bees aggressive?
Some are aggressive, while others simply want to be left alone to do their business, and carpenter bees fall into the latter group. Unlike common bees and other pollinators, wood bees are not social insects and generally spend their time working alone.
Are carpenter bees attracted to flowers?
Carpenter bees are attracted to gardens full of flowers and plants rich in pollen. Your garden can become a haven for these pollinators if you cultivate a diverse selection of flowers and herbs. Some flowers that are particularly attractive to carpenter bees include lavender and lilies.
What plants attract carpenter bees?
To summarize, a diverse garden filled with flowers, herbs, and fruit trees will attract carpenter bees eager to collect pollen. By incorporating plants like lavender, lilies, oregano, basil, thyme, plum, and apple trees, you can create an inviting sanctuary for these essential pollinators.