Most people in Ewing consider bees a beneficial insect. However, there are many different species of bee, and while some of these are welcomed in gardens, others are not an optimistic sign.
Bumblebees and honeybees are industrious pollinators on which gardeners and farmers rely year after year. Their cousins the carpenter bees are less welcome. This is because carpenter bee behavior includes boring perfectly round holes into wood. When wood on man-made structures like fences, decks and building exteriors is not painted or stained, then it is vulnerable to being targeted by this potentially destructive species.
Like other species of bees, carpenter bees are helpful pollinators. As long as they do not settle into areas that are populated by people, carpenter bees actually are a good species to have in the ecosystem. However, when members of the species begin nesting in buildings, it is a sign that steps toward best pest control need to be taken.
Most people do not understand why carpenter bees seem compelled to make holes in items that are made of wood. The answer actually is quite simple. Carpenter bees need a place to nest and lay their eggs. Unlike bee species that are highly social and live in nests of their own construction, carpenter bees burrow into wood for this purpose.
Fortunately, it is possible for property owners to be proactive about preventing carpenter bees from damaging wooden doors, window frames, siding and fences. Ensuring that these items are always covered in a comprehensive coat of paint or stain can be an effective deterrent. However, the approach may need to change if carpenter bees are already nesting on the property.
Pest management professionals know precisely what to do when carpenter bees infest buildings and other man-made structures. It is always advisable to ask an exterminator to deal with carpenter bees and other pests to ensure the health and safety of the building’s human occupants.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES LOOK LIKE?
When most people picture a bee, they think of the familiar black-and-yellow stripes that are associated with species such as the bumblebee and the honeybee. However, the carpenter bee has quite a different appearance.
Most of the carpenter bee’s body typically is black, though it may be possible to find examples in colors such as purple, green and blue. Adult females may be as long as one inch, making them larger than most of the other bee species in the region. Males of the species can be identified by the white spots on their heads, and both sexes have hairless, shiny bodies. Another characteristic that differentiates the genders is the fact that females have stingers while males do not.
WHERE DO CARPENTER BEES LIVE?
The appropriate place for carpenter bees to live is a forest with plenty of fallen trees and rotting stumps. These items are the perfect spots for burrowing and making nests because the wood is soft.
However, it may be possible for these pests to find decaying wood in and around human habitations. From a wooden fence that has not seen a new coat of paint in years to a patch of siding that has suffered water damage and begun to rot, any wood that is not protected is vulnerable to carpenter bee activity. While it is common to see signs of these pests in posts, railings, stairways and outdoor furniture, these insects similarly may infest a pile of yard debris or lumber.
It is possible for carpenter bees to infest both hard and soft woods if the wood is not in prime condition.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES EAT?
Carpenter bees like sweet foods, with nectar from plants forming the largest portion of their daily diet. Sugary food is necessary to spring egg laying for females, and all of the eggs will be deposited with regurgitated pollen and nectar on which the young will feed after hatching.
Because people also like foods that are sweet, it is not unusual to see carpenter bees in Ewing gathering whenever people dine outdoors or throw food waste into garbage cans. Condiments like ketchup and salad dressing, baked goods, fruit, juice, ice cream and soda are some of the edible things that may be targeted by carpenter bees.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY CARPENTER BEES
The damage that is caused by carpenter bees may start out quite small and in a location that people do not routinely inspect. This makes it possible for the carpenter bee to make many holes in the same structure, and if the right conditions persist, other females will want to nest in the same area.
Accordingly, it is possible for carpenter bee damage to become quite extensive before it is noticed. If this has occurred, then it is almost guaranteed to continue to be a problem until a pest management professional addresses it. If only one or two holes have been made in a structure, then it may be possible for the property owner to deal with the issue, but it is essential that the wood be painted, stained, otherwise treated or replaced to prevent carpenter bees from causing trouble in the future.
Where carpenter bee activity has not been curbed for years, it is possible for the damage to become extensive and require costly repairs.
ARE CARPENTER BEES AGGRESSIVE?
Only the female carpenter bee is equipped with a stinger, but this does not stop the male from aggressively darting at anyone who happens to get too close to a nesting area. Females of the species tend to be gentle and slow to be provoked, but their behavior may be more aggressive around their burrows. Consequently, it is never wise to allow carpenter bees to continue to nest in places that are frequented by people.
DO CARPENTER BEES CARRY DISEASE?
No disease is transmitted to people with the female carpenter bee’s sting. In fact, most sting victims have mild reactions that include minor pain, swelling and itching. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and antihistamines typically is enough to control the reaction.
Certain individuals may be allergic to bee stings, making it particularly dangerous for them to be in the vicinity of nesting carpenter bees. Severe reactions may include problems with breathing, hives, general redness and itching. People may require a visit to the emergency room to make a recovery.
HOW TO DETECT CARPENTER BEES
Signs of a carpenter bee infestation include:
• Wooden surfaces on the property are damaged by perfectly round holes • Mysterious staining appears on the exteriors of buildings • Black, flying insects exhibiting aggressive behavior are seen • Small mounds of sawdust are found near foundations
HOW TO PREVENT CARPENTER BEES
To help prevent carpenter bee issues the following steps should be taken:
• Routinely inspect wooden structures for signs of round holes, especially in the spring and summer • Replace damaged wooden components on buildings and other structures • Maintain paint or stain on wooden surfaces • Allow for at least 20 feet between structures and piles of lumber or yard debris
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 Newtown home or office remains a pest-free environment.
