As the weather gets warmer and the world wakes up from its winter sleep, we see a lot of different plant and animal life in our yards. Homeowners who see small piles of sawdust on their wooden porch or around their property should pay attention. This is a sure sign that carpenter bees are digging tunnels, which they use to lay eggs and raise their larvae.
To protect wooden surfaces, traps, treated wood, and pesticides may be used. But entomologists say that these bees are also very important as pollinators in Georgia’s landscape. But before we talk about ecology and ways to get rid of them, let’s figure out how to recognize these bugs.
Carpenter bees (Xylocopa virginica) are yellow and black, like many other bees. They look a lot like the popular bumblebee, but there are some clear differences between the two. Typically, carpenter bees are about an inch long. They have a black abdomen and have areas of yellow hair on their thorax. A white spot on the front of their face is characteristic of adult males. Female carpenter bees can inflict a painful sting, but rarely do. Although males cannot sting, they will hover in an effort to frighten adversaries.
One easy way to tell the difference between the two is to remember that carpenter bees don’t have the fuzzy-looking hairs on their abdomens like bumble bees do. Whenever I’m teaching eager youngsters about basic entomology, we remind them that “carpenter bees have a shiny hiney. ” While the phrase may lack scientific gravitas, it seems to do the trick every time!.
Carpenter bee adults only live a few weeks, but they use that time to drill holes in wood to lay their eggs. Bare, unpainted or weathered softwoods like redwood, cedar, cypress and pine are preferred. Painted or pressure-treated wood is said to be less likely to be damaged, but paint alone doesn’t seem to protect me much. Railings, porch ceilings, windowsills, door frames, headers, rafters and even siding are often subject to attack.
Carpenter bee holes and tunnels are perfectly round and about the diameter of a finger. Coarse sawdust beneath an entry hole and burrowing sounds are often the first signs of the bees. They drill approximately an inch into the wood and then tunnel along with the grain. Since they often reuse the same spots, holes and tunnels may reach several feet in length. As one can imagine, these insects can do severe damage over the long term. For each generation, they make nest walls by chewing on the inside of the tunnel and making a paste. Carpenter bees overwinter as adults in abandoned nest tunnels and emerge in the spring. After mating, female bees drill holes in wood and lay eggs within a series of small cells. A ball of pollen is added providing food for larvae until they emerge as adults in late summer.
What can be done? Painting wood is suggested as a way to keep bees away, but even if you use several coats of oil-based or polyurethane paint, the wood will still be vulnerable to bees. Spraying adults with aerosol insecticides will kill them, but just spraying wood surfaces will not. Each tunnel needs to be filled with insecticides like carbaryl or deltramethrin dusts that are labeled for controlling carpenter bees for them to work.
If you want to use chemicals to get rid of carpenter bees, remember that spraying at night might work better because the adults might not be near the nest during the day. After treating the hole, leave it open for a few days so that the bees can come in contact with the insecticide and spread it throughout the nest. The next step is to fill the holes with a wooden dowel. Once there are no more signs of bee activity, caulk or wood putty should be used. If activity continues, additional residual insecticide application should be made at weekly or twice weekly intervals.
A secondary result of carpenter bees may be damage from woodpeckers. Large and noisy, carpenter bee larvae often attract woodpeckers who are looking for a tasty snack. Unfortunately, woodpeckers can cause further damage when they hunt for carpenter bee larva. If woodpeckers look under your house’s eaves, they are probably looking for carpenter bee larva.
Having said all of this, despite their destructive potential, carpenter bees have good pollinating qualities. After the female carpenter bee leaves a tunnel, she visits flowers and gathers pollen for her eggs. Visits from flower to flower transfers pollen resulting in successful fruit formation. Without insect pollination, many plants will produce little fruit.
It is reasonable to protect home structure from damage, but use insecticides carefully, following label directions exactly. Confining your control measures to only where they are needed and effective will protect against unnecessary pollinator mortality.
Looking for more tips on the management of pest insects in and around the home? Ask your Extension office about the UGA Extension Bulletin #1412.
Carpenter bees can cause significant damage to wooden structures if left unchecked. Though small, these bees are capable of drilling into wood to create nesting galleries that weaken infrastructure over time. Understanding the type of damage carpenter bees can inflict is key to preventing costly repairs.
Why Carpenter Bees Damage Wood
Carpenter bees chew into wood to make nests for egg-laying and raising young The females drill holes around half an inch wide using their large mandibles They excavate into the wood with the grain to create tunnels up to 10 inches long for brood rearing. The males do not bore holes but will use existing nests.
While carpenter bees do not eat wood, their nesting activity substantially damages it. As generations reuse tunnels year after year, the holes expand and structural integrity declines. Untreated damage can lead to collapsed roofs, sagging floors, and fragmented wood.
Signs of Carpenter Bee Damage
Telltale signs reveal carpenter bee activity:
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Perfectly round holes around 1/2 inch in diameter on bare wood surfaces These entry points often have fresh sawdust underneath
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Sections of wood that sound hollow when tapped Tunnels make wood weaker and prone to breaking
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Coarse, yellowish bee droppings near entry holes. This pollen-colored residue is a clear marker.
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Males hovering near nests, aggressive in dive-bombing intruders. They vigorously defend territory.
Catching carpenter bee damage early is key. Left unchecked, holes expand rapidly over generations, riddling wood with compromising tunnels.
What Structures Are at Risk?
Carpenter bees target exposed wood on homes, barns, sheds, fences, and outdoor furniture. No finish or treatment deters them. They even excavate seasoned woods like cedar, redwood, and cypress. Common damage sites include:
- Siding, eaves, and fascia boards
- Decks, railings, benches, and gazebos
- Window frames, shutters, and trim
- Doors, porch beams, roof shingles
- Outdoor furniture like picnic tables, swings, planters
Trees also provide choice nesting sites, especially pine, cypress, cedar, and willow. Look for damage on trunks, branches, and in cut logs.
Preventing Costly Damage
Fixing carpenter bee destruction gets expensive. Replacing tunnel-ridden boards or structural supports can cost thousands. Prevention is vital:
- Inspect wood routinely, especially in spring when nest excavation begins
- Fill existing holes and paint/seal bare wood surfaces
- Treat active burrows with insecticidal dusts or sprays
- Install carpenter bee traps as alternative nesting sites
- Caulk cracks and crevices to deter entry
- Maintain a well-sealed home exterior
Controlling carpenter bees before they take up residence helps avoid significant wood damage. Acting at the first signs of an infestation can nip the problem before costly repairs become necessary. Taking preventative measures and addressing issues promptly will keep this bee damage from burdening your budget.
How Much DAMAGE Can CARPENTER BEES Cause?! (What To Do About Carpenter Bees/How To Get Rid?)
FAQ
What does damage from carpenter bees look like?
Should you get rid of carpenter bees?
Are carpenter bees worse than termites?
What happens if you plug up carpenter bee holes?
Do carpenter bees damage wood?
But carpenter bees are no joke. These little pests use their strong jaws to bore perfectly round holes in wood, and fixing carpenter bee damage can be downright expensive. But, before you can do anything, you need to know how to identify this damage and what you can do about it. And this guide has you covered. What are carpenter bees?
What are the complications of bee sting?
Complications of a bee sting include: • Hives or severe itching • Vomiting or diarrhea • A rapid heart rate • Low blood pressure causing dizziness or fainting • Tongue or throat swelling which may cause shortness of breath These may be symptoms of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. If a person has multiple bee stings, complications can also include headache, fever, confusion, seizures or worsening of other pre-existing medical conditions.
Are carpenter bees dangerous?
When passing near homes, these bees may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other bees. However, homeowners in areas with large carpenter bee populations look at these wood-damaging insects differently. Carpenter bee activities can cause extensive damage to wooden structures, including your home, and threaten their integrity.
Can a carpenter bee affect your home?
A carpenter bee infestation isn’t just unpleasant—it can cause serious damage to your home. Read on to learn how to battle your carpenter bee problem. Carpenter bees tunnel through the wooden parts of your home to create nests. These annoying pests don’t just damage your home. They can also sting and cause allergic reactions.
Can a carpenter bee damage a board?
On the surface, damage from a carpenter bee is actually quite inconspicuous. Usually, it appears as nothing more than a ½-inch diameter hole in the bottom of a board. It’s not until they see a big, fat carpenter bee flying in and out of this hole that most homeowners realize that they’re looking at damage from a carpenter bee.
Do carpenter bees kill other insects?
Those that kill carpenter bees likely kill other insects as well, including honey bees, bumblebees and other types of bees. If you use a pesticide, look for products you can apply directly into the carpenter bee hole to reduce the risk of unintentionally killing beneficial insects.