Are Carpenter Bees Something To Worry About In The Bay Area?

Aggressive and destructive. As they expand their settlements inside your home, your home gradually deteriorates. Carpenter bees are a troublesome pest, and if left unchecked, they could cause significant damage to your Bay Area home. 

The Difference Between Carpenter Bees And Bumble Bees

Carpenter bees have a shiny, black abdomen, and their thorax is yellow. In contrast, bumblebees have a fuzzy abdomen. Their thorax is yellow, while their abdomen is both yellow and black. The size of a Bumblebee can range from 3/4 of an inch to 1 1/2 inch in length, but a carpenter bee is typically 1 inch in length.

What Attracts Carpenter Bees To Your Bay Area Home??

As the name suggests, carpenter bees have an affinity for wood, particularly weathered wood. Unlike termites, they do not consume wood; rather, they excavate tunnels to lay eggs. If left untreated, the nests will continue to proliferate.

Damage Caused By Carpenter Bees 

An infestation could be fatal for those allergic to carpenter bees; However, carpenter bees seldom sting. In fact, the males are completely harmless, and the females rarely sting. Still, a carpenter bee infestation can lead to significant structural damage. Gradually, the wood will deteriorate as the nests multiply. The holes will expedite deterioration by inviting moisture intrusion.
 
One carpenter bee usually excavates a 1-foot tunnel. These holes lead to a gradual weakening of the wood. Once the wood has weakened to the point of disrepair, bulges and sunken floors will begin to appear. Not only do carpenter bees prefer weathered wood, but they also prefer unfinished wood and dilapidate such structures more quickly. This is why your shed made of unfinished wood is particularly vulnerable to a carpenter bee infestation. Needless to say, it is important to be proactive. Once an infestation has firmly rooted itself, structural damage is inevitable without treatment.

Signs Of A Carpenter Bee Infestation In Your Bay Area Home

To help control a carpenter bee problem beore it gets out of hand, it's important to look for common signs of an infestation. These include: 

• Holes that are 1/2 an inch in diameter are a definite sign of a carpenter bee infestation.
• Sawdust or wood shavings may surround these holes. 
• The bee may leave a vestige of her presence in the form of a yellow substance near the entrance of the hole. 
• Most obviously, you should see bees. Male bees often aggressively defend their territory, buzzing near the construction of their homes. 

If you’ve seen any or all of the above warning signs around your Bay Area home, it’s time to call a professional for help to ensure that your home doesn’t suffer extensive damage from these destructive pests. 

Tips To Prevent A Carpenter Bee Problem

With all pests, the best offense is a good defense. Here are some strategies to keep carpenter bees away. 

• As mentioned before, carpenter bees are attracted to unfinished wood. Therefore, a coat of paint will deter carpenter bees from nesting in your home.
• Water-damaged wood attracts carpenter bees. Not only will painted or varnished wood deter carpenter bees naturally, but it will also allow you to detect water-damaged areas of the wood more readily. 
• Additionally, you can cover wood with aluminum, vinyl, or asphalt to prevent an infestation. 
• Seal any exterior cracks that may facilitate the bees’ access to your wood.
• Carpenter bees reuse holes from previous seasons. To prevent further Carpenter bee infestations, you’ll want to cover these holes.
• If painting the woods is an undesirable option, you could always spray the wood with quality residual spray to prevent carpenter bee infestations. These sprays last for 2-3 months. It would help if you sprayed in early spring, as this is when infestations usually begin.
• You should protect any ends of the wood with hardwire mesh to prevent carpenter Bee Infestations. 

However, even with the best possible prevention steps, carpenter bees can still become a problem if you’re unlucky. In this scenario, it’s important to call for professional carpenter bee removal as quickly as possible - your home’s health depends on it!

Eliminating A Carpenter Bee Problem With Help From The Experts At Pro Pest Control

With most pets, especially those that sting, it's best to reach out to a professional. However, if you choose to deal with a smaller infestation alone, you should use an aerosol spray for bee and wasp control at night. At these hours, female carpenter bees rest in their tunnels, blissfully unaware of impending doom. Cover the hole for 24 hours, and repeat the procedure until the female is dead. 
 
However, with most infestations, going it alone is inadvisable. Once carpenter bees have firmly nested in your home, it is tough to exile them without professional assistance. Inaction will only perpetuate a carpenter bee infestation, leading to structural damage. 
 
The next time carpenter bees have settled in your home, call the professionals at Pro Pest Control today. We have the experience and tools to get the job done right. Reach out to us today to learn more about our pest control options.