When most people think of bees, images of fuzzy bumble bees or honey bees come to mind. And while those species cause a host of their own issues, their cousin the carpenter bee is destructive in a much different way. While bumble bees have a fuzzy, yellow and black appearance, carpenter bees are more of a rusted brown color and do not have fuzzy hair on their abdomen.
Additionally, carpenter bees are not social insects, like bumble bees and honey bees, so they will not live in colonies. Rather, they will construct nests in trees or frames or buildings, making them harder to spot. These are the tell tale signs of their difference, which will help New Haven County homeowners act accordingly. Additionally, carpenter bees measure approximately ½ to 1 inch and will be robust and ovular in shape.
How To Tell If You Have a Carpenter Bee Problem On Your Property
Carpenter bees are sneaky stinging insects. Because they are not social in nature, carpenter bees create individual nests that are harder to spot. They also tend to invade spaces that are typically out of sight, like building frames and siding, making an infestation even more difficult to determine. That said, New Haven County homeowners should look for the following clues to know if they could have a carpenter bee infestation:
- Holes in structural wood: Female carpenter bees will chew tiny holes into wooded areas to lay their eggs. Their ideal home is soft, unpainted wood, which would typically be found in decks and fences.
- Sawdust and excrement: Carpenter bees will also leave sawdust piles and excrement stains on the wood below their circular holes.
- Holes in live wood: They will not discriminate against any live wood that is in or around your home so issues can develop in reed-like plants and trees as well as decks, siding, and door frames.
Preventing A Carpenter Bee Infestation At Your Home
While carpenter bees don’t pose much of a health risk unless someone is allergic, if their damage goes untreated, the damage will only pile on, attracting other pests such as woodpeckers, and furthering structural impact.
To prevent a carpenter bee infestation at your New Haven County home, try some of the following tips:
- Don't leave wood untreated. Since carpenter bees come seeking shelter in weathered, untreated wood, homeowners can make these areas inhospitable to them through painting, staining, and sealing wood. Seek to start with wood shingles, Adirondack chairs, benches, and shutters.
- Purchase or build a carpenter bee house. These come equipped with predrilled holes for the bees to further nest in. This should live a safe distance away from a dwelling.
- Remove standing water sources. Removing their source of water denies the bees’ ability to replenish themselves.
- Protect potential entry points. Metal flashing can be a helpful way to decrease water penetration at places such as walls, door openings, and other vulnerable places that carpenter bees tend to seek.
- Repair any damaged wood.
Carpenter bees are capable of increasing amounts of property damage over time. The most effective way to quickly and effectively get rid of carpenter bees that have found their way into your home is with professional assistance from Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control. Reach out today, to get started on our effective home pest control or commercial pest control services.