Hydrex Pest Control - The Carpenter Bee

The Carpenter Bee

The carpenter bee got its name from mining wood, similar to carpenter ants. There are several varieties of these bees. The majority of carpenter bees are large, around ž", and primarily black with a green or purple sheen to them. Some unique features include a patch of yellow, orange, or white hair on the thorax, and a shiny abdomen. Other types of carpenter bees can be more of a light brown color. Male carpenter bees, who lack a stinger, can be distinguished by white markings on their head. Carpenter bees can be intimidating when they hover around people, but the males can't sting and females are docile and rarely sting. Boring into wood to lay eggs is typically the biggest nuisance this bee causes. A carpenter bee hole is around ˝" diameter, and so round it looks like it was made with a drill. These holes can be hidden on the undersides of boards, so sometimes the sawdust left behind will be a tip off as to their presence. At a boring rate of 1/16" per day, carpenter bees don't usually cause as much damage as other wood destroying pests. Though, if left untreated for years it is possible for them to cause enough damage to warrant repairs. The best way to prevent carpenter bees from boring into your home is to keep it painted. If they have already started boring, the holes should be treated individually. After the holes are treated, plug them with a dowel or steel wool/and or caulking. This will discourage new bees from using these holes in the future.

Pest Control for Bees