Table of Contents
What Are Carpenter Bees?
A carpenter bee is slightly larger than many other solitary bee species. The adult measures between ½” to 1-1/2” in length, with a shiny, smooth, black abdomen. Differentiating between the adult male and female is generally not that difficult if you are knowledgeable about carpenter bee’s unique characteristics. When doing a comparison of the adult male and female, the first thing you will notice is the color variance. The female is a solid black white the male is a mixture of orange and black. These identifying characteristics will come in handy if ever you are dealing with a carpenter bee infestation.
Why Is My Property Infested With Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bee infestations are rare to middling because of their solitary behavior, which means the insect does almost everything alone. The solitary carpenter bee lives, travels, and feeds alone. With this said, some members of the carpenter bee species will pair up for the breeding season. In these cases, the pair will spend the majority of their time together. What makes the carpenter bee pairs so unique is their decision to continuouslyly return to the same nest breeding season after breeding season. Breeding carpenter bees build tunnels to make their nests more secure from their predators.
Do Carpenter Bees Pose Risks For Humans, Animals, And The Environment?
The female carpenter bee has a stinger that is rarely utilized even during attacks. Since the male does not have a stinger, the only form of protection is a darting action. When an animal that is believed to be a predator edges near the nest, the carpenter bee will become aggressive. It will utilize its body and flying capability to sway the predator to back off. If the predator does not take the advice, the carpenter bee will begin darting and buzzing louder than normal.
Contrary to belief, carpenter bees are not responsible for structural damage. The culprit, in this case, is generally the woodpecker that feeds on carpenter bee larvae. To access the larvae, the woodpecker will peck away at a tunnel until its attempt is successful. Whether it takes 15 minutes or three hours to access the carpenter bee larvae, the woodpecker will remain diligent throughout.
How To Eradicate A Carpenter Bee Infestation?
As previously mentioned, the carpenter bee species is not known for infestations. However, a breeding pair of carpenter bees is enough to be problematic for property owners. While these insects are docile, when threatened, they will begin exhibiting aggressive behavior. The only bite threat will come from the female, but it will probably never happen. If it does, the outcome will most likely be an allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. To eradicate an infestation, destroying the insect’s tunnels and nests are crucial. We utilize chemicals to eradicate the carpenter bees, followed by tearing down the tunnels and nests to deter future infestations.
Does DIY Pest Control Work For Carpenter Bee Infestations?
Since the carpenter bee species are not social insects, the odds of you having an infestation are slim to none. These insects do not live in colonies, they live in pairs or alone, minimizing the risk of a full-blown infestation. So, it is possible that DIY pest control could effectively eradicate a single or pair of carpenter bees. However, more severe cases will warrant a call to our Livonia office. Also, it is not recommended for people with bee allergies to attempt removal or extermination of carpenter bees. While bites are rare, they are extremely painful.
Is Pest Control Anti-Carpenter Bee Products Harmful To The Environment?
Our carpenter bee pest control consists only of insecticides approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The government agency devotes a lot of time and money to protecting the environment from harmful toxins found in pesticides and insecticides. If you are concerned about the environment and chemical-based insecticides, we recommend turning to the safer alternative, an eco-friendly option.
Is It Possible To Prevent A Future Carpenter Bee Infestation After An IYenitial Infiltration?
Yes, with an effective carpenter bee pest management strategy. The strategy must include repairs and updates of your property’s pest barrier, regular visual inspections, and treatment when necessary. Removal of all decaying wood from your property is a great place to start. From here, you will need to repair or replace damaged wooden structures, such as decks, balconies, exterior sheds, eaves, and fences.
When Should I Expect The Exterminator To Arrive At My Home?
In most cases, we can dispatch an exterminator out to a client’s home within 24 to 48 hours of an initial pest control service request. Of course, this will depend on availability, your location and schedule, and our company’s workload. Please feel free to contact our Livonia office in Michigan to request your free pest control inspection and/or consultation. A pest control inspection permits access of the impacted home to the exterminator. Once inside the home, the exterminator will start the inspection, which will take at least 60 minutes to fully complete.
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