Although carpenter bees benefit the environment with their pollination, these are not insects you want in and around your home! These bees look like bumblebees because they are large with black and yellow patterns. However, the main physical difference is that they have no hair on their stomachs. In addition, carpenter bees shelter by themselves as opposed to living in nests or colonies. This can result in them seeking shelter in your home! You do not have to handle these bees yourself. The best option is to give us a call here at TermiGuard so that we can take care of it for you with our state-of-the-art pest control programs.
What are carpenter bees?
First, it is important to learn the basics about these bees. Carpenter bees are often called “wood bees” because they bore into wood. They can cause a lot of damage to various types of wood, including softwoods like cedar and pine. Female carpenters specifically sometimes even lay their eggs in the holes they have bored into the wood. They deposit the eggs into the holes, brings pollen over for the newly hatched larvae to eat, and then seals off the hole to repeat the process with the next egg.
What are the signs of a carpenter bee infestation?
To recognize an infestation, you must learn the signs that carpenter bees have decided to shelter on your property. The first is noticing circular openings in wood that range in size from half an inch to three-fourths of an inch. You would also see some wood shavings or sawdust near those openings. Similarly, observing a yellow substance inside the hole is a sure way to know you have a carpenter bee infestation. Lastly, you see the bees! They fly around your property because they become protective of their territory, especially the males. You can also notice that they do not sting.
What damage can carpenter bees do?
These bees tend to attack unfinished wood typically under decks and sills. They also find softwoods more appealing than hardwoods. It is important to note that they do not eat the wood, but they do bore into it to lay eggs in the spring and take shelter in the winter. These holes can seem small from the outside, but they bore in deep enough to give themselves plenty of space. They can create tunnels that extend feet within the wood, causing extreme damage. Over time, the damage from the carpenter bees can destabilize the wood completely. Eventually, woodpeckers who are looking for larvae to eat can cause even more damage by further burrowing in the wood.
How do you get rid of carpenter bees?
1. Apply Residual Dust
Spraying insecticidal dust deep into the wooden holes will help prevent longer-term infestations and prevent new intrusions. It will also stop any larvae from reproducing. Some insecticide sprays you can use include Demon WP, FenvaStarCap, and Cyzmic CS. To find the holes, make sure you look at the underside of wood surfaces and their sides. Double-check any wooden overhangs, decks, fence posts, and window frames since these are sneaky places the bees could be hiding.
2. Plug the holes
To stop carpenter bees for the long term, you must plug their old holes because they tend to return to the same holes again and again. By sealing off the holes, you eliminate an easy return for them. You can plus the holes using cork or wood putty. If you decide to use wood putty, you can paint over the wood to make it look as though no holes were formed! Only do this once the bees have had time to pass through the holes containing the insecticide dust. It is also important to only plug the holes once the carpenter bees have already died and you have cleaned out the larvae. A safe time to do this is during the early fall months. Please keep in mind that a large bee infestation should require professional intervention.
How does TermiGuard get rid of carpenter bees?
1. Initial Consultation
First, there is a consultation where we will evaluate the situation and what your property needs. We will discuss your specific concerns, learn about your property’s history, and work together to identify potential entry points the bees use!
2. Build a Plan
After we have learned about your home’s needs, we will explain the options you have. Our team members will work with you to identify the best plan of action.
3. Execute the Plan
We will execute the plan you have chosen once the details have been figured out. Our team members give every client the best service possible and are extremely precise and professional.
4. Follow-up
At the end of your first appointment, we will make sure your home is already responding to the treatment. If it is not, we will make necessary adjustments along the way. If you choose our TG Plus plan as detailed on our website, you will even have unlimited, no-charge emergency callbacks!
For further future prevention, try painting or varnishing exposed wood surfaces around your home because this will make them less attractive to the carpenter bees. You can also cover exterior openings to your house by using mesh screens or even caulk for small crevices.
If you notice carpenter bees infesting your property, the best thing you can do is call the experts! Although there are DIY options, only experts will know the extent of the damage. Here at TermiGuard Services, our TG Plus plan gives unlimited callbacks so the problem always gets solved!
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