Heres how to discourage carpenter bees from making their homes in yours.
But one kind of bee may wear your patience thin if youve discovered their handiwork:carpenter bees!
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Keith Delaplane, PhD, is professor of entomology at the University of Georgia.
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How To Identify Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees(Xylocopa virginica)actually are fascinating native pollinators.
Theyre about 3/4 to 1 inch long with shiny abdomens, not fuzzy back ends like bumble bees.
Carpenter bees are solitary.
Shes just trying to make a new generation.
Are Carpenter Bees Dangerous?
(Read abouthow to keep bees away from your houseandhow to keep wasps away from your home).
But a solitary carpenter bee just wants to build a home for her family.
The bees emerge in the spring.
The females are discreet, sneaking in and out of their holes.
But the males are territorial.
Youll see them hovering around, battling and chasing each other, says Delaplane.
Theyll divebomb you, too, if you get close.
But carpenter bees are no threat to people or pets.
Males have no stingers; theyre just interested in fighting each other and finding a female.
And while females do have stingers, youd have to grab and squeeze her hard.
Carpenter bees are actually important pollinators.
In fact, its been discovered that they contribute to blueberry pollination by stimulating the presence of honeybees.
Carpenter bees steal nectar from the side of blueberry flowers instead of pollinating the flowers.
Honey bees are attracted to the holes, arriving in huge numbers to pollinate the berries, says Delaplane.
Its an amazing example of how insects work together to get a job done.
You may notice damage to the wood around your home, such as holes and sawdust.
You may also hear buzzing sounds or notice bee activity.
Finally, there may be stains or discoloration on wooden surfaces around your home.
Why Do Carpenter Bees Drill Holes in My House?
The simple answer is they need a place to call home.
After the female mates, she excavates a hole into a wood surface with her strong mandibles.
She drills in about a half-inch, then makes a turn and tunnels with the grain.
Each tunnel may take up to a months worth of work.
She creates a series of cells where she deposits food and lays her eggs.
The next generation emerges in late summer and overwinters in the old tunnels.
The good news is that carpenter bees dont present a huge risk to your home.
They dontdo structural damage like termites can, says Delaplane.
How To Prevent Carpenter Bee Infestations
Lets say youve had enough of their antics.
Its not easy to stop them because this is what they do!
For most people, an occasional hole isnt a big problem.
Theres little evidence these products work, and the substances dont penetrate the wood.
As for traps, theyre worthless.
Should I Seal Carpenter Bee Holes?
This is one effective way to discourage repeat nesting.
For tunnels within easy reach, treat entrance holes.
Spray the tunnel opening with a product labeled for carpenter bees.
If you dont treat the hole, the bees can chew their way out.
Sealing the holes also helps prevent moisture intrusion and wood decay.
The company should treat individual holes to ensure there are no return visitors, says Delaplane.
Roos, D.Snapshots From A Local Orchard: Blooms & Pollinators.North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
