As any Philadelphia area home or business owner who has ever had a carpenter bee problem can attest, these solitary insects are extremely destructive to wood. While this may not be a cause for alarm in a tree or even a woodpile, it is a very different story when these burrowing bees decide to nest in fences, decks, outdoor furniture and even man-made structures.
If carpenter bee infestations are not stopped, then the damage can become severe. How are carpenter bees able to cause such destruction?
Females and males of the species spend the winter in holes that they burrowed into wood. As spring arrives, they emerge to mate. With fertilization complete, the female sets about borrowing numerous new holes and tunnels into any unprotected wooden surface that she can find. Each hole may become the nest for the new generation of carpenter bees.
Property damage is not the only problem that is inherent to carpenter bee infestations. These pests also are capable of stinging. Of course, such stings are painful, but the real danger is for people who are allergic to stings. They may suffer a reaction that puts their life in danger.
With honey bee infestations, exterminators work hard to move the nest and preserve the colony. This is not the case with carpenter bees. Destroying these pests is the best way to stop structural damage before it becomes too serious.
WHAT DO
CARPENTER
BEES LOOK LIKE?
When compared to other bee species, carpenter bees are quite large. It is typical to see full-grown females that are one inch long. Most carpenter bees are black, but it is possible to see more brightly colored individuals exhibiting green, blue and purple. Carpenter bees are virtually hairless, especially on the abdomen, which means that they tend to have a shiny appearance. Males may be distinguished from females by the white markings on their heads, a characteristic that is absent in females. Another distinguishing feature is the stinger. The female has one, but the male does not.
WHAT DO CARPENTER BEES EAT?
Members of the species show a preference for sweet foods. Accordingly, plant nectar is a main source of nutrition, especially in the spring. Feeding on nectar is essential to the female so that she is prepared to lay eggs. When she does so, she leaves behind a deposit of regurgitated pollen and nectar to feed her young.
People also enjoy sugar in many forms, and this is why carpenter bees are so frequently attracted to outdoor grills, picnic tables and garbage cans. Examples of foods that carpenter bees like include fruit, salad dressing, condiments, juices and sodas.
WHERE DO
CARPENTER
BEES LIVE?
While many other bee species live in large colonies with thousands of members, the carpenter bee has a solitary lifestyle. Rotting stumps and fallen or hollow trees are two examples of places where carpenter bees may nest in the wild. This wood is rotting and damaged, making it easier to dig into. Similarly, carpenter bees living close to or within buildings look for wood that is unpainted, unstained, damaged by water or generally not in good shape. These qualities once again make for easier excavation.
Wood such as cypress, cedar or redwood are particularly vulnerable because they are softer, but the carpenter bee also will target hardwoods if they are damaged and untreated.
If decks, fences, furniture, doors or building exteriors suddenly develop perfectly circular holes that are about the diameter of a pencil, this is a dead giveaway that carpenter bees have been at work.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY
CARPENTER
BEES
With the exception of carpenter bees, most bee Many property owners find the amount of damage that can be caused by carpenter bees is astounding. They reason that this bee is a solitary insect, so it probably cannot do much damage.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Carpenter bees are prolific breeders, and when conditions are right, their population can grow with surprising speed. A property that has a considerable amount of exposed, vulnerable wood can suffer a great deal of damage in a single summer season.
The earlier that damage from carpenter bees is identified, the easier it is to stop. With the assistance of an exterminator in Philadelphia, it is possible to minimize structural damage and protect buildings against possible damage caused by other opportunistic pests.
ARE
CARPENTER
BEES AGGRESSIVE?
Carpenter bees tend to be relatively docile. They are not even as territorial as honey bees. The male, although he does not have a stinger and cannot sting, still may fly aggressively when people are near. Because he is only slightly smaller than the female, many people find this behavior intimidating.
Females do have the ability to sting, but they tend to be gentle and difficult to rile when away from their nesting area. In the vicinity of the nest, her behavior may change significantly. This is where stings are most likely to occur, so when nests are established in places that people frequent, it is wise to take swift action.
DO
CARPENTER
BEES CARRY DISEASE?
Most people do not get sick when they are stung by a carpenter bee. Common reactions include a little pain along with some swelling and itching. Taking an antihistamine and an over-the-counter painkiller usually is enough to help people deal with it.
Nonetheless, a portion of the population does experience large local reactions that may be accompanied by anaphylaxis. People who are stung by a carpenter bee and then have difficulty breathing and an outbreak of hives probably require immediate medical care.
HOW TO DETECT
CARPENTER
BEES
Signs of a carpenter problem include:
• Leaving small, perfectly round holes in wooden surfaces • Creating tiny piles of sawdust on the ground • Flying in an aggressive manner • Staining building exteriors with waste products
HOW TO PREVENT
CARPENTER
BEES
To help prevent carpenter bee issues the following steps should be taken:
• Establishing woodpiles and yard debris piles well away from structures • Replacing damaged wood in building exteriors • Ensuring that all wood is stained, finished or treated • Plugging up existing carpenter bee holes with dowels and carpenter's glue • Switching to vinyl or aluminum siding on buildings
HOW TO TREAT FOR
CARPENTER
BEES
Newtown Termite & Pest Control understands how vital bumble bees and honey bees are to the local ecosystem. As such, we recommend contacting a local bee keeper for the safe removal of bumble bees and honey bees from area homes and businesses.
At the same time, we also utilize a multi-faceted approach for treating problematic species. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatment methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps, hornets, and carpenter bees.
