Have you ever seen large black bees flying around your house in the late spring and early summer? Likely as not these are carpenter bees on the prowl for a mate and a favorable place to construct their nests.

Although less aggressive than wasps, male carpenter bees can become aggressive, often hovering directly in front of anyone near their nest. This “in your face” behavior is how most people discover their property has been compromised.

Males cannot sting. Females can, however, if handled.

Carpenter bees are large. In some ways they look like big bumblebees. You can tell the difference by looking at their abdomens. Carpenter bees are shiny black with yellow hairs on the first abdominal segment. Bumble bees have yellow hairs on other abdominal segments as well.

Unlike many other bee species, carpenter bees don’t form colonies. They live alone. As their name implies, carpenter bees build nests in wood. They are especially attracted to untreated lumber…especially cedar. They’re particularly fond of decks, eaves, window trim, and fascia boards.

Once they find a suitable place, they bore a perfectly round half-inch hole against the grain. Inside the wood, they turn 90 degrees and burrow with the grain.

Interior tunnels are typically 4 to 6 inches long. Females lay eggs in them. As you can imagine, this type of nest-building can cause considerable damage over time. But they do have one redeeming quality: carpenter bees are pollinators.

Adult bees only live one year. They hibernate in nests during the winter and emerge in April to mate. This is when they “swarm.” Females may return to the same living space, or seek a new location to lay their eggs. Inside the tunnel they create a cell, pack it with pollen and nectar to feed the larvae, and seal it. This process continues until she’s laid all her eggs. At that point, she dies.

Repeated years of infestation can cause serious structural damage. Act immediately if you see carpenter bees on your property. How? Here are some important tips…

•  Paint all exposed wood or coat it with polyurethane. A regular colored wood stain will not keep carpenter bees away.
• Treat Active Holes: If bees are still living in holes, you may want to apply a targeted dose of insecticide before closing it. Products like as boric acid will do the trick. The best time apply is in early spring while they’re still hibernating. After hibernation, we suggest applying the product at night when bees are resting. As you put the powder in the hole, stay alert in case an angry female bee comes out. You should be able to fill and paint by the end of the next day.
• Fill Abandoned Holes: When carpenter bees emerge in spring and again in fall, fill holes with a bit of steel wool, a wad of aluminum foil, a dowel and wood glue, or even caulk. Paint over the holes after filling them completely.
• Avoid Wood Treatments: Since carpenter bees don’t actually eat wood, treating it doesn’t do much good.
• Stay Alert: There’s no way to completely prevent or eliminate carpenter bees, but by following these steps and watching for new activity, you can minimize damage.
• Partner with a Professional: Contact an exterminator for help with the problem. Professional pest control experts can quickly recognize and assess the amount of damage, and develop a treatment plan.

If carpenter bees have become a problem at your place, we’re ready to help. Call or text 405-679-8729. We’re here for you!