Carpenter Bees

What Are Carpenter Bees?

It doesn’t take a pest management professional to know what a bee is. At least, you have a general understanding of the species. You might not know that there are many species of bees and each is unique, but you at the very least, you a general understanding of bees. They have stingers, they build hives, and they attack nearby invaders, right? Well, did you know that some species die when they sting? Did you know that there are some species where the males are the only aggressive ones? When you sit down and think about it, there are lots to learn about bees.

Just take the carpenter bee, for example. This is a solitary species that can range anywhere from ½ to 1 ½ inches in length. The male members of the species are orange and black, whereas the females are solid black. While they are oftentimes confused with the bumblebee, the two species have different temperaments. These are just some of the pertinent things one will need to understand when dealing with carpenter bees. The next thing you’ll need to know is why you have them.

Why Do People Have Carpenter Bees?

Believe it or not, the carpenter bee finds its way into homes and buildings seeking shelter. While these bees will also seek out water and food, they usually get these resources from the outside. The carpenter bee is different than most other bee species, given the fact, that it burrows into wood products. They don’t construct hives and combs like other species. Instead, they burrow into wood. And, not just any particular wood. The carpenter bee prefers unpainted, unstained, and weathered softwood. While these bees will leave in the winter, they’ll make their way back to the same area next year if their next is not eradicated.

Are Carpenter Bees Dangerous?

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding bees. It is understandable as to why this is the case. These bees sting and the experience can be more than unpleasant. However, they do not transmit or carry diseases or pantheons. Some people can have allergic reactions to these stings, but there is no way of identifying if you are one of these possible candidates or not. Although carpenter bees are only mildly aggressive, they do not pose you or your family any physical harm.

They will sting when threatened or invade their personal space, but these actions are usually just present in males. The females are much more docile and won’t sting even when threatened. As you’ve likely already guessed though, these species can be extremely dangerous to wood products Decks, patios, or wood furniture, they’ll burrow right into it, destroying it piece by piece. Another thing to note is, these bees attract woodpeckers. This is because woodpeckers feed on their larvae.

How Do You Eliminate Carpenter Bees?

Getting rid of carpenter bees can be extremely difficult. This is because when you get near their homes, they will attack. At least the males will. While they do not transmit diseases, their stings can be very unpleasant. The entire experience itself can be extremely troubling. You throw in the fact that there is always the potential for an allergic reaction with some individuals, and it just makes the situation all that more threatening. This is why elimination is best left to the pros. Someone with the skills and experience of handling these situations. Someone with the proper tools and equipment to successfully and safely eliminate these critters.

Can I Eliminate Carpenter Bees Myself?

When you consider the cost and difficulty of professional pest management these days, it is easy to see why homeowners turn to DIY and over-the-counter treatments. You likely just want to get the problem taken care of in the most efficient manner possible. This is completely understandable, and why it is best to opt for professional assistance right from the start.

Carpenter bee elimination usually requires chemicals and pesticides. The pros have access to the best pesticides and also know how to use them most safely and effectively. A lot of the over-the-counter products you’ll see available online don’t contain the formulas and ingredients to that of the stuff the pros use. This is just something you should keep in mind when choosing how to handle your carpenter bee infestation.

Are There Safe Treatments?

Most of the time, you will have to utilize chemicals and pesticides to eliminate carpenter bees. This is because the males of the species can sting and be overly aggressive when they feel threatened. However, our techs always try to utilize more eco-friendly solutions when they can. While eco-friendly solutions aren’t as effective and aren’t even always viable, we try to utilize them whenever and wherever we can. Give us a call today to learn more about the eco-friendly solutions we offer and if they might be viable for your infestation.

Is It At All Possible To Stop Carpenter Bees Before They Start?

It is always best to eliminate any pest infestation before they start. This is something that’ll not only save you money and time, but it’ll just make the entire process all that much easier. The only problem is, this isn’t always possible, especially not when dealing with carpenter bees. That being said, the best place to start is with your wood structures. You learned earlier that carpenter bees are attracted to unpolished, unstained, and weathered wood. With that in mind, what do you think the best way to prevent an infestation is? To stain and paint your wood products.

When Will You Get Here?

With our unique understanding of carpenter bees and ability to handle a whole slew of other pests, we stay pretty busy all times of the year. However, we are always willing to adapt for our customers. Just give us a call and we can have someone out to the property within the next 24 to 48 hours. Perhaps, you have found yourself in need of emergency services? That won’t be a problem either, as we always have people standing by for this as well. All you have to do is just give us a call.

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