You may think that one bee is like the next and that there are three essential things about it. One is that they love buzzing around plants and flowers and making honey. Two, their pollination supports food crops and the environment. Three, they can cause painful stings to humans. While most bee species have those traits in common, they aren’t all the same. Not only do they vary in shade and size, but they can also do different damage.
As their name suggests, carpenter bees are attracted to wood. They shred and dig in it to build nests, which could destroy your Richardson home or business. Learn now how to tell these bees from others, prevent them from infesting your property, and what All-Safe Pest & Termite can do for you.
How Do Carpenter Bees Look and Behave?
Larger carpenter bees range from 1/2 to 1 inch in length. Though they are visually similar to bumblebees, they have less yellow hairs. They can be black, blue, purple-blue, or greenish-black. The males have yellow parts on their faces, and don’t sting. The females will sting if they’re handled or feel threatened. The smaller carpenters are less than 1/4 of an inch long. They’re dark and have a metallic look, with few body hairs and a few yellow marks.
These flying insects are primarily drawn to wood that is unfinished or has been exposed to weather, such as rainfall. They tend to favor pine, oak, fir, redwood, and cypress. After feeding on nectar and pollen from greenery, they’ll head for viable wood. Roof eaves, siding, porches, and decks are their favorite spots. They’ll also go to work on railings, fences, windowsills, doors, and lawn furniture. If they’re left undisturbed, they’ll continually create nests and tunnels. Eventually, the harm to wood will be visible and their fecal smears will be everywhere.
Signs of infestation include:
- Small holes in wood and foundations
- Sawdust, pollen, and feces below or around entrance holes
- Bees flying in a flurry in the area
How Can You Prevent Carpenter Bees?
Given what carpenter bees can do, being proactive about prevention is critical. To ward off these pests, you’ll have to give a lot of attention to your property structure and land:
- Paint any unfinished wood
- Varnish or apply a fresh coat of paint to sills, decks, and wood that gets a lot of sun or rain exposure
- Seal openings and cracks in exterior foundations
- Close or caulk holes that bees have used or created previously
- Remove any visible nests
- Spray a residual insecticide on spaces where carpenter bees frequent
- Keep plants and flowers well-maintained, and keep them several feet from your building
How Can All-Safe Pest & Termite Stop Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees can be challenging to keep away or get rid of, especially since they return to the same locations every season. Living without wood isn’t that feasible, and one can’t wipe all the nectar and pollen from the earth. Plus, these insects are needed for agriculture and our ecosystem. All-Safe Pest & Termite has the answers. We can help you prepare to guard your Richardson property or put a stop to the bee’s presence on it.
We’ll start with an inspection, where we’ll identify the susceptible sites in your place. Then, we’ll develop a custom treatment plan. Depending on the situation, we may inject a dust or liquid designed to repel carpenter bees. You can rest assured that any products we use will be safe for you and your loved ones.
For over 30 years, we’ve kept residences and businesses bug and creature-free. Our monthly subscription plans come with guarantees, and start as low as $29.99! Call us today to start your protection!