Bees are among the most beneficial insects around. However, bees are can cause allergies and even cause damage to property. Among the bees found in Texas include Carpenter bees. Carpenter bees cause damage in a variety of wooden structures and at this time, we at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would like to relate some of their basics at this time.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Bumblebee & Carpenter Bee?
Carpenter bees are sectioned in two classifications small (Ceratina) and large (Xylocopa). Generally, in Texas, large carpenter bees, which are the bees associated with property damage, are prevalent. With many characteristics greatly resembles the bumble bee, carpenter bees range in size from just under a ½” to just over 1” long. Coloring varies, consisting of black, greenish black, purplish blue, and metallic blue and the males feature yellow sections on their faces. These bees have yellowish hairs on the legs, thorax, and abdomen but don’t have visible hair on the top abdomen; however it isn’t as dense or as vibrant as the bumble bees.
How Destructive are Carpenter Bees
The unfinished or weathered woods are a frequent attraction to the black and yellow carpenter bee. They excavate tunnels within the wood to use as nest, but do not actually eat any of the wood. The wood of eaves, siding, fascia boards, porches, and decks are prime examples of the wood these bees are found commonly destroying. Carpenter bee adults use their nests to refuge during the winter months, but will reemerge during the spring. They will continue to expand their tunnels and even find new other places excavate if they are left dealt with. As relatively harmless bees, their nuisance stems mostly from the damage their excavation work and the unsightly stains from their fecal matter.
How Painful is a Carpenter Bee Sting?
Like most bees, the sudden appearance from the wooden cavities can be a bit startling, and only the females have a stinger, but only use it they feel provoked. Males do not feature a stinger, but if they feel threatened will try to demonstrate aggression through their flying patterns. A carpenter bee sting is about as painful as any other type of bee sting. Carpenter bees can sting more than once, which makes getting stung slightly more concerning.
Signs of Carpenter Bees
Seeing these carpenter bees flying around the area and being particularly protective of their nests tips off homeowners to an infestation, but if their numbers are small, other signs of their existence around your property include the following:
1) Approximate ½” wide entrance holes in wood.
2) Sawdust in close proximity to the holes.
3) At and around the entrance holes pollen and fecal matter.
The rails and posts of the split rail fences made of oak particularly draw in carpenter bees. Any wood that is not protected by bark or that is unpainted or unfinished, especially if it is old and weathered are targeted by carpenter bees and they also favor Cyprus, pine, and redwood.
Where Do Carpenter Bees Nest?
If you suspect carpenter bees are hanging around your property check the following locations for signs or the bees themselves in addition to the porches, decks, eaves, siding, and fascia boards:
– Wooden Lawn Furniture
– Windowsills
– Untreated Poles
– Railings
– Fences
– Doors
Carpenter Bee Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
Carpenter bees are not something you want destroying your home with their natural habits. If you have carpenter bees hanging around your property, call in the experts of A Five Star Termite & Pest Control and let our trained professionals take care of the infestation before they damage gets excessive.
