What Are Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees, like other area bees, are beneficial insects that play an important role in our planet’s ecosystem. Like honey bees, they gather pollen on their legs and spread it to other plants nearby. Unlike honey bees, carpenter bees are solitary creatures, meaning they prefer living alone rather than in a colony.
Another thing that sets these pests apart is how they build their nests. Honey bees find empty spaces and build large, intricate nests out of honeycomb. Carpenter bees, on the other hand, tunnel into wood to build their homes — which is especially problematic when the wood they tunnel through is part of your house, an outbuilding, or a porch or deck.
One question people regularly ask us is, “How do you identify a carpenter bee?” It’s rather simple. Just look at their rear. If it’s fuzzy with yellow and black stripes, it isn’t a carpenter bee. If it’s smooth and jet black, then it is. Carpenter bees also have a distinct black spot in the middle of their furry yellow midsection.
How Destructive Are Carpenter Bees
The good news is that carpenter bees are not as destructive as termites. No matter how many of these pests invade your home, they will not weaken buildings enough to cause severe structural damage. They do, however, leave unsightly holes in the exterior of structures.
Carpenter bees tunnel these holes into untreated, aged wood. If you have an old porch or the wood on your home is sun-dried with peeling paint, then your property is more susceptible to carpenter bee damage.
Some Ways To Prevent Carpenter Bees
If you regularly see carpenter bees around your property and are looking for a way to keep these pests away, we’re here to help. To start, here are some things you should be doing to deter them:
- Paint, varnish, or treat wood around your home that is sun-dried and weathered.
- Use putty or caulk to fill in carpenter bee holes around your home, outbuildings, and deck areas. Try to avoid direct contact with these pests while doing this.
- Use caulk to seal cracks, gaps, and other damage in your home’s exterior.
- Make sure your window and door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps are in good condition.
The best time to prevent carpenter bees is during early fall, as this is when they are least active and less likely to cause trouble.
Why You Need To Call a Professional for Carpenter Bee Problems
Although carpenter bees are non-confrontational, they will attack if you try to remove them and can sting multiple times — unlike honey bees. To safely eliminate bees from your property, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Epcon Lane. We have the safety equipment and advanced tools needed to effectively remove stinging insects from your Akron yard.
Call us today for more details and to schedule your property for a service visit.
Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.
