While they can be beneficial insects, carpenter bees are very destructive to structures made with wood. The female carpenter bee will create holes in wood in order to make a home for her eggs. Because of this, carpenter bees in Bucks County can be a problem for many.
Leaving carpenter bees alone is an option since they are excellent pollinators. The difference between carpenter bees and other breeds of bees is that their activity can result in holes all over your fence, window frames, shed, etc. The wood that they destroy actually gets chewed up and mixed with saliva in order to create material for a nest. This process contributes to the cycle of adding more and more carpenter bees each year.
Upon spotting a carpenter bee infestation on a property, home and businesses should contact an experienced Bensalem pest management company to assist.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES LOOK LIKE?
While carpenter bees look quite a bit like the common bumble bee, they lack the distinct yellow markings that other bees have. The abdomen of a carpenter bee is very smooth and has a bit of a shine to it. They may even have markings that are purple, green or blue. Because of this, some people may disregard a carpenter bee as a wasp or a different insect.
Compared to other species of bees, the carpenter bee can be anywhere from ¾ of an inch to one full inch in size. The females tend to be larger than the males. Another way of determining if a carpenter bee is male or female is to look at the head of the insect in question. Male carpenter bees have white markings on their heads, and females do not. Also, the female will have a stinger as a protective feature.
WHERE DO CARPENTER BEES LIVE?
In the Bucks County, PA, area, carpenter bees can be found in a variety of wood structures where they have created a home for themselves. This can include siding, wooden roofs, decks, sheds, eaves and even outdoor furniture. They prefer unpainted and untreated wood, especially varieties that are soft and easy for them to chew. This includes cedar, pine and redwood. If concerned about having a carpenter bee problem but want to construct something on your property, opt for painted or pressure-treated wood as a potential deterrent.
The tricky thing about spotting carpenter bees is that they are often found alone. They are not like other bees that create colonies and function that way. A single carpenter bee can still indicate that the existence of a destructive problem, so do not disregard a spotting of one or two of them.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES EAT?
The diet of a carpenter bee revolves around finding sweet plant nectar. Because of this, spring and summer are the times of the year when carpenter bees are most active. Female carpenter bees will remain quite active, feeding on nectar so that they can begin laying their eggs. Even after she lays her eggs and remains in the nest, regurgitated pollen and nectar will keep her nourished.
While flowering plants are the diet of choice for carpenter bees, they will also come around humans if there are sweets that can be sourced. When outside, keep an eye on things like fruit juice, soda and baked goods. It doesn’t take long for a carpenter bee to spot these items and attempt to feed off them.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY CARPENTER BEES
Carpenter bees do not create as much of a mess as other insects, such as termites, but their destruction can be just as devastating. Damage caused by carpenter bees can usually be spotted as a small hole in a piece of wood. The initial hole will generally extend about an inch or two deep into the wood. Carpenter bees create their holes at a 90-degree angle, and they will proceed to dig channels in the wood. These channels are where other small holes will be created in order to make homes for eggs. The eggs will actually be sealed off inside the channels so that development can safely occur. It is difficult to know just how many eggs have been laid in the nest of a female carpenter bee.
ARE CARPENTER BEES AGGRESSIVE?
A lot of people do not like to see any species of bee on their property, because they assume that all bees will sting as a defense mechanism. Compared to other types of bees, carpenter bees are one of the less aggressive types. They will become aggressive if you get too close to their nest, where eggs are located. If you have a carpenter bee that has made their home in an area that sees a lot of traffic, this can be a problem.
Male carpenter bees often stay with a female at the nest site. They can be very aggressive, defending their family or flowers nearby. In early spring, males can be quite aggressive as they wait for females to emerge from nest structures to mate.
DO CARPENTER BEES CARRY DISEASE?
Carpenter bees do not typically carry disease, but there is venom in the stinger of the female. There is a possibility that you can have an allergic reaction if you are stung. This can include symptoms such as itching, swelling and pain. Most people will benefit from a dose of an antihistamine, but there are some people who are susceptible to an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting. This type of reaction can include hives, trouble breathing and dizziness. If such symptoms are experienced immediate medical attention should be sought.
HOW TO DETECT CARPENTER BEES
Signs of a carpenter bee presence include:
• Piles of sawdust on the ground • Excrement stains on our nearby carpenter bee holes • Aggressive insects in an area that match the physical description of a carpenter bee • Holes in wood, with or without the presence of bees nearby
HOW TO PREVENT CARPENTER BEES
To help prevent carpenter bee issues the following steps should be taken:
• Fill in any cracks or gaps in wood that have the potential to attract carpenter bees • Consider painting or varnishing wood surfaces to make them less inhabitable • Fill in any holes that you find. Wait until the bees have emerged from the holes before filling. • Keep all of your wood structures in good condition • Watch for carpenter bee activity in the early spring and summer months
HOW TO TREAT FOR CARPENTER BEES
It is not always easy to diagnose and treat a carpenter bee infestation. Unlike social bees with their central nests, a large carpenter bee infestation may be much more widespread. This makes the intervention of a carpenter bee control professional absolutely essential.
Proper carpenter bee control involves a series of steps, including the application of insecticides, dusts, and the sealing of existing holes. The selected insecticide is used as the initial form of treatment, followed by the injection of a specific dust formulation which provides residual protection. Finally, entrance holes are plugged after the carpenter bee colony has been given sufficient time to distribute the treatment products throughout the nest area.
Newtown Termite & Pest Control utilizes a multi-faceted approach to eradicating the unwanted bees. When combined, the processes work together to ensure that your Bucks County home or office remains a pest-free environment.
