HOW TO STOP CARPENTER BEES
NEWTOWN PA

Carpenter bees can be bad news for wooden structures because the females burrow into wood to create nests. Moreover, these pests can be extremely territorial, leading to painful stings.

TIPS FOR KEEPING CARPENTER BEES AWAY

Do you find yourself worrying about carpenter bees when you go outdoors? The situation is even worse if you ever have a carpenter bee trapped inside your home or office.

Female carpenter bees can deliver painful stings, and they are capable of behaving in a highly territorial manner. Accordingly, you may be at risk of being stung whenever you are in the vicinity of one or more of their nests. If a nest happens to be located in a place where people frequently pass by, the chances of being stung quickly multiply.

The best way to keep carpenter bees away from you is to avoid them. Basically, if you know where carpenter bees are nesting on the property, it is wise to stay away from that area until you can have an exterminator deal with the problem.

Of course, carpenter bees leave their nesting area to forage for food, which means that you may encounter them in other areas of your property. If this occurs, try to remain calm. Do not make sudden movements as you wait for the bee to fly away elsewhere.

To minimize attracting carpenter bees to an area where you may be enjoying an outdoor meal, get rid of any food-related garbage immediately. Keep in mind that anything that smells sweet will bring on the carpenter bees.

PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM CARPENTER BEES

Stings are not the only reason to be wary of carpenter bees. Females of the species can cause significant damage to wood as they excavate nests each spring.

Carpenter bees do not eat wood. Instead, they make holes and tunnels in wooden surfaces in which young are raised. Wood that is unpainted, unstained or damaged in some way is ideal for these purposes.

This means that if your home has any unpainted or damaged wood on door frames, window frames, siding or elsewhere, then it is particularly vulnerable to being damaged by carpenter bees.

Fall generally is the best time to take preventative measures to protect homes and other buildings. The nesting galleries are more likely to be empty in this season as young bees have hatched and gone elsewhere while more mature carpenter bees have yet to burrow in for the winter.

Plug up any holes using putty, caulk or plugs. Any wood on the home or other structure that is not painted or stained should be treated with paint or varnish. Remember that eaves, doors, railings and windowsills are particularly vulnerable.

Additionally, take time to cover the exterior openings in the home using caulk or fine mesh screens. These will keep carpenter bees from trying to come inside.

KEEPING CARPENTER BEES AWAY FROM YOUR PORCH

If you have a wooden porch or a concrete porch that perhaps has a wooden pergola or other covering, then it may be susceptible to damage from carpenter bees. That is especially true if any of the wooden components of that porch have not been maintained for a few years.

Stain, varnish and paint all need to be replenished after a few years. Neglecting this imperative maintenance can leave the wood vulnerable and exposed. Not only will moisture be able to penetrate it and cause damage but also pests like carpenter bees will take advantage of the situation.

Wood that is exposed to the elements and damaged is extremely attractive to female carpenter bees that are looking for a convenient and easy place to nest. If your porch is made from a softer wood like cedar, that only makes it more attractive.

Property owners who are serious about preserving the structural integrity, functionality and beauty of their porches are encouraged to perform regular maintenance on them each year. Cleaning and then resealing, varnishing or painting the porch likely will deter carpenter bees. The pests simply will look for untreated, neglected wood that offers much easier excavating.

ARE CARPENTER BEES DESTROYING YOUR SWING SET?

Carpenter bee infestations in swing sets and other playground-style equipment is a nightmare for parents. Once the pests invade, it is impossible for kids to enjoy their favorite outdoor toys.

This means that parents have to deal with disappointed kids as well as a stubborn infestation of stinging pests.

Carpenter bees can be especially bad news for swing sets and other playground equipment because these structures tend to be smaller and less robust than decks, fencing or houses. The relatively small size of outdoor playground equipment means that it can be devastatingly damaged in a shockingly short time.

This is especially true because carpenter bees will reuse the same nests and wooden structures year after year. This means that successive generations of carpenter bees will keep using the same nests and same pieces of wood, resulting in catastrophic damage.

If your kids are noticing carpenter bees around their swing set, it's time to take action by contacting a pest control professional.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT CARPENTER BEES FROM EATING YOUR DECK?

The deck provides a valuable outdoor living space for most families. However, an infestation of carpenter bees can make it impossible to enjoy the deck even in the balmiest weather.

The best way to ensure that your deck is protected against carpenter bees is to perform annual maintenance. Typically, this involves pressure washing and sealing, but you also may choose to paint or stain the deck. It is measures like these that keep carpenter bees looking elsewhere for a place to nest.

What if carpenter bees are already infesting your deck? It is a rather dangerous situation for your deck and your family, so it is wise to act quickly. With the infestation underway, your best response is to call a local licensed exterminator. They have the knowledge, experience and equipment that make it possible for them to safely and efficiently put an end to carpenter bee infestations.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING CARPENTER BEE INFESTATIONS IN YOUR YARD

No one can deny that carpenter bees are excellent pollinators. This is why you may not be upset if you occasionally see a carpenter bee visiting your garden.

The story changes when the carpenter bees start nesting in your yard. It may start in a hollow tree or a stump, but it probably won't be long before they are looking to nest in your deck, porch, outdoor furniture or home.

If you are serious about keeping carpenter bees out of your yard, there are a number of things you can do. It is sensible to completely remove dead trees and stumps from your landscape. This takes away habitat that carpenter bees love to inhabit.

Similarly, it makes sense to check the condition of your fence. A wooden fence is susceptible to carpenter bee infestation, especially if it is not in good repair. Keeping that fence painted or stained is essential to deterring carpenter bee activity. If it is time to replace the fence, consider going with vinyl, composite or another fencing material that requires less maintenance and is more resistant to pests.

Are there any other wooden structures in your yard that could be attracting carpenter bees? An old shed, gazebo, trellis, arbor or other accessory may be hosting an infestation of pests. Consider getting rid of the infested item or painting it to discourage further activity.

GET RID OF CARPENTER BEES – AND KEEP THEM FROM COMING BACK

What is the smartest thing you can do when carpenter bees move in? The best first step is to contact an experienced exterminator in Newtown.

Carpenter bees can behave aggressively, especially in the vicinity of their nests. This makes the risk of being stung during treatment extremely high. Accordingly, it is not wise for the unprepared to take on this task.

Pest management companies have well-trained, knowledgeable technicians who probably treat carpenter bee infestations on a daily basis. This makes them uniquely qualified to ensure that carpenter bees are responsibly and safely removed. Moreover, these professionals can provide guidance and advice that will help to protect the property against other pest infestations.

HOW WE 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.

Schedule a FREE inspection today.