Carpenter bees are large, fuzzy bees that are quite intimidating when they approach. While they aren’t on the lookout for you, they do have an eye on your home, and that is terrifying too. Here are a few problems with carpenter bees and their workmanship.
What Does a Carpenter Bee Look Like?
Carpenter bees are large bees with fuzzy heads and large, black abdomens. The carpenter bee looks a lot like its cousin the bumble bee, with its yellow and black coloring, but the bottom is the giveaway. Bumble bees are fuzzy all over, including their abdomens; carpenter bees are not.
Should I Worry About Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees are generally not aggressive, but they are cause for concern for different reasons. They are destructive. Their name is a dead giveaway. You should worry about carpenter bees because of the potential for damage to your home and other structures on your property.
Carpenter bees like to nest in wood. Your house has plenty. Carpenter bees build nests in soft wood, which is what your home, shed, and decks are made of - just to name a few. Carpenter bees drill holes that are roughly half an inch in diameter. Once carpenter bees build the nest, the next thing they do is lay eggs in it. When the offsprings arrive, they are not likely to leave the nest. Signs of carpenter bee damage include:
Holes in the side of your home.
- Wood shavings on the ground beneath holes.
- Marks on the outside of a hole that look like a fan.
- Scratching sounds coming from inside the walls (this could also be rodents, so an inspection is required.)
- Once a carpenter bee chews a hole in the side of your home, your home is susceptible to more than these bees.
- Untreated holes and structural damage invite rodents and other pests, mold, and staining on the wood.
Three Things You Can Do Today About Carpenter Bees
If you suspect the holes in your walls are caused by carpenter bees, here is a list of things you can do today to control them:
- Use caulking to fill in empty holes. Carpenter bees are attracted to holes that are already started so be sure to fill cracks, nail and screw holes, and splits in the wood.
- Use paint or varnish on untreated wood, or build with treated wood to prevent damage. Treating the wood won’t completely deter carpenter bees, but it will prevent extensive damage.
- Call the pest control team here at Big Blue Bug Solutions.
A call to Big Blue Bug Solutions will help you tackle carpenter bees. Call now for a free inspection and a thorough guide to getting rid of carpenter bees for good.