In the spring, many Doylestown are home and business owners find perfectly round holes in wood on their property. Chances are good that these holes were created by female carpenter bees.
While many species of bees live in colonies, carpenter bees are solitary. Adults use the tunnels that they or other carpenter bees have excavated in which to spend the winter. Males and females emerge in the spring to mate, and then the female begins creating new tunnels for her eggs. Because carpenter bees are capable of laying multiple eggs in one summer, these infestations quickly become difficult to control.
Carpenter bees are known for their painful stings. They also can cause structural damage to homes, fences, decks and outdoor furniture. The potential seriousness of the infestation makes it necessary for a professional exterminator to intervene.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES LOOK LIKE?
Like other bee species, carpenter bees are six-legged insects. Adult females may measure one-inch long, and they are most frequently black. However, carpenter bees are a mix of shiny, metallic colors like blue, green and purple.
Occasionally, carpenter bees are mistaken for bumblebees, but there are ways to distinguish the two species. For instance, carpenter bees are virtually hairless and tend to be shiny whereas bumblebees are hairy and usually have black and yellow stripes. It also may be possible to differentiate the species by the fact that bumblebees live in underground burrows while carpenter bees nest in wood.
WHERE DO CARPENTER BEES LIVE?
Female carpenter bees are hard workers that spend most of their time either foraging for food or excavating brood tunnels. In general, the female looks for wood that is weathered, damaged and unpainted because it is easier to burrow into. Because woods such as redwood, cedar and cypress are relatively soft, they are most vulnerable to a carpenter bee infestation. Still, hardwoods may be vulnerable to carpenter bee activity if they are damaged and untreated.
Wood that is pressure treated, painted or stained is less likely to look attractive to carpenter bees. Nests may be found in woodpiles, fences, decks or outdoor furniture. Siding, rafters, railings, wooden shake roofs and eaves also are susceptible to infestation.
The most obvious sign that an infestation is underway is perfectly round holes in various wooden surfaces. Generally, these holes are approximately the diameter of an adult person's little finger.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES EAT?
Female carpenter bees emerge from their nests in the spring and eat nectar that is collected from plants found nearby. Thanks to this sustenance, she has the energy that she needs to lay eggs. Each egg is placed in a chamber in the wood with a supply of pollen and regurgitated nectar. The larvae will hatch during the course of the summer to feed on the stored food.
Because carpenter bees largely are attracted to sugary items, they are likely to be attracted to barbecue grills, picnic tables and even garbage cans. The sugar content in juice, soda, barbecue sauce, condiments, salad dressing and other foods can make picnics irresistible to carpenter bees.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY CARPENTER BEES
While termites tend to be the more destructive species, carpenter bees can still cause a great deal of damage. The good news is that most of this is cosmetic, especially when infestations are discovered in the early stages.
However, some infestations go unnoticed for several years, and this means that structural damage may follow. Female carpenter bees will reuse the same brood tunnels year after year, frequently expanding and enlarging them each season. In rare cases, the damage can reach a catastrophic level.
It also is worth noting that even a couple of carpenter bee burrows in a structure can cause additional problems. The holes allow moisture into the structure, and this can be responsible for introducing mold, decay and rot. It similarly is possible for other pests to use these holes, thereby gaining access to the house where they can wreak havoc.
ARE CARPENTER BEES AGGRESSIVE?
Carpenter bees tend to be milder than bee and wasp species that live in colonies. This means that they are unlikely to sting without strong provocation, but with their large size, carpenter bees look threatening and make people uneasy simply with their presence.
Only female carpenter bees have stingers. Nonetheless, the male carpenter bee will fly around and dart in an aggressive way that makes people nervous. Spring is the season during which females are most likely to sting and males are most likely to behave in an aggressive manner. This also is the season during which tunneling activity is only beginning. Accordingly, it is wise to take care of carpenter bee infestations during this time.
DO CARPENTER BEES CARRY DISEASE?
Carpenter bee stings can be painful, but most people do not have a serious reaction. With some redness, swelling and itching, these symptoms usually dissipate after a few hours or one or two days. Most people deal with the symptoms by taking over-the-counter remedies like painkillers and antihistamine.
Other people are subject to potentially serious or life-threatening symptoms. Including signs such as problems with breathing, a swollen tongue, nausea, dizziness and loss of consciousness, emergency medical treatment is required.
HOW TO DETECT CARPENTER BEES
Signs of a carpenter bee presence include:
• Coarse sawdust piled up around walls and foundations • Wooden surfaces damaged by perfectly round holes • Bees hovering and darting around people • Defecation streaks on structure exteriors
HOW TO PREVENT CARPENTER BEES
To prevent carpenter bee issues the following steps should be taken:
• Locate new brood tunnel holes and plug them with a dowel and carpenter's glue • Get rid of damaged wood on the property • Paint or stain all wood • Keep doors and windows shut, especially in the spring • Consider replacing wooden siding with vinyl siding • Have the exterior of all structures inspected on a regular basis for signs of new brood tunnels.
HOW TO TREAT FOR CARPENTER BEES
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 Doylestown home or office remains a pest-free environment.
