Bzzzzzzz: It’s Bee Season!

Bzzzzzzz: It’s Bee Season!

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Now that we’re well into the Spring season, you may be noticing an influx of pests that were hiding out over the winter – mosquitoes, ants, termites, and BEES. While some bees you’ll encounter are harmless, others can seem threatening and leave behind painful stings and cause allergic reactions. Here’s a list of common bees in the South to be on the lookout during the Spring and Summer seasons, with bee control tips:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1461783788041{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][ctitle title=”Carpenter Bees” uppercase=”no” background=”#ffffff” font_size=”26″ position=”left” separator_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”blank” padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15376″ img_size=”300×155″ style=”vc_box_outline” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.callnorthwest.com/identify-pest/bees/carpenter-bees/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Carpenter bees are large black and yellow bees, often mistaken for bumble bees. You’re likely to see them in the Spring hovering around the eaves of your house or under and around decks and porches. Carpenter bees can cause damage to structures by creating small, circular holes as entry points into nests with multiple tunnels, leaving behind trails of sawdust. Any area of exposed wood can be a target for carpenter bee nests. The good news: carpenter bees rarely sting unless bothered; males do not have a stinger but can become aggressive towards other bees, animals or people near their nest and females usually only sting when extremely agitated. You can also prevent carpenter bees from nesting by treating or painting any exposed wood. If you’re already seeing carpenter bee nests, each nest hole should be treated with a pesticide if bees are inside the nest. If no bees are in the nest, seal or paint entry holes. For best results, call a pest control company that specializes in bee control and removal.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1461783795963{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][ctitle title=”Cicada Killer Bees” uppercase=”no” background=”#ffffff” font_size=”26″ position=”left” separator_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”blank” padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15377″ img_size=”300×155″ style=”vc_box_outline” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.callnorthwest.com/identify-pest/bees/cicada-killer-bees/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Cicada killer bees are large bees, black or rusty-colored with yellow markings, that resemble a larger version of a yellow jacket. Unlike a lot of other bee species, cicada killer bees do not live in colonies and prefer to nest underground in areas of bare ground. Female cicada killer bees dig burrows 1/2″ in diameter that can extend up to 10″ deep which can cause significant lawn damage. You’re likely to encounter cicada killer bees in the Summer – usually July and August – when they emerge from burrows.

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While relatively harmless bees, bumble bees – identified by their fuzzy, black and yellow-striped appearance and a buzzing sound while flying – can become aggressive and sting if their nest is threatened. They’re normally seen in flowering plants and typically don’t nest in structures.

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Yellow jackets are one of the most commonly encountered bees and also one of the most aggressive. Their stings can be extremely painful and cause severe allergic reactions for some. Yellow jackets are also know to sting repeatedly. Avoiding yellow jackets is the best method of sting prevention or remain still if you encounter them; swatting or sudden movements can cause them to attack.

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Paper wasps are large, aggressive wasps that cause painful bites and sometimes severe allergic reactions. They’re most likely to sting if their nest is threatened or disturbed. It’s recommended to contact an exterminating company for wasp nest removal.

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Hornets are brown and yellow striped with reddish colored wings, and sometime mistaken for cicada killer bees. They build above-ground nests, usually in trees, and are active in the Spring. It’s recommended that you contact a pest control company to remove a hornet nest, but they do not pose a serious threat to humans and will die or hibernate in the Fall.

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Bzzzzzzz: It’s Bee Season!

Bzzzzzzz: It's Bee Season!

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Now that we’re well into the Spring season, you may be noticing an influx of pests that were hiding out over the winter – mosquitoes, ants, termites, and BEES. While some bees you’ll encounter are harmless, others can seem threatening and leave behind painful stings and cause allergic reactions. Here’s a list of common bees in the South to be on the lookout during the Spring and Summer seasons, with bee control tips:
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1461783788041{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][ctitle title=”Carpenter Bees” uppercase=”no” background=”#ffffff” font_size=”26″ position=”left” separator_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”blank” padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15376″ img_size=”300×155″ style=”vc_box_outline” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.callnorthwest.com/identify-pest/bees/carpenter-bees/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Carpenter bees are large black and yellow bees, often mistaken for bumble bees. You’re likely to see them in the Spring hovering around the eaves of your house or under and around decks and porches. Carpenter bees can cause damage to structures by creating small, circular holes as entry points into nests with multiple tunnels, leaving behind trails of sawdust. Any area of exposed wood can be a target for carpenter bee nests. The good news: carpenter bees rarely sting unless bothered; males do not have a stinger but can become aggressive towards other bees, animals or people near their nest and females usually only sting when extremely agitated. You can also prevent carpenter bees from nesting by treating or painting any exposed wood. If you’re already seeing carpenter bee nests, each nest hole should be treated with a pesticide if bees are inside the nest. If no bees are in the nest, seal or paint entry holes. For best results, call a pest control company that specializes in bee control and removal.
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Cicada killer bees are large bees, black or rusty-colored with yellow markings, that resemble a larger version of a yellow jacket. Unlike a lot of other bee species, cicada killer bees do not live in colonies and prefer to nest underground in areas of bare ground. Female cicada killer bees dig burrows 1/2″ in diameter that can extend up to 10″ deep which can cause significant lawn damage. You’re likely to encounter cicada killer bees in the Summer – usually July and August – when they emerge from burrows.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1461783803707{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][ctitle title=”Bumble Bees” uppercase=”no” background=”#ffffff” font_size=”26″ position=”left” separator_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”blank” padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15378″ img_size=”300×155″ style=”vc_box_outline”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
While relatively harmless bees, bumble bees – identified by their fuzzy, black and yellow-striped appearance and a buzzing sound while flying – can become aggressive and sting if their nest is threatened. They’re normally seen in flowering plants and typically don’t nest in structures.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1461783813281{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][ctitle title=”Yellow Jackets” uppercase=”no” background=”#ffffff” font_size=”26″ position=”left” separator_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”blank” padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15379″ img_size=”300×155″ style=”vc_box_outline”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Yellow jackets are one of the most commonly encountered bees and also one of the most aggressive. Their stings can be extremely painful and cause severe allergic reactions for some. Yellow jackets are also know to sting repeatedly. Avoiding yellow jackets is the best method of sting prevention or remain still if you encounter them; swatting or sudden movements can cause them to attack.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1461783821501{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][ctitle title=”Paper Wasps” uppercase=”no” background=”#ffffff” font_size=”26″ position=”left” separator_color=”#ffffff”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”blank” padding_top=”5″ padding_bottom=”5″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15381″ img_size=”300×155″ style=”vc_box_outline”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Paper wasps are large, aggressive wasps that cause painful bites and sometimes severe allergic reactions. They’re most likely to sting if their nest is threatened or disturbed. It’s recommended to contact an exterminating company for wasp nest removal.
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Hornets are brown and yellow striped with reddish colored wings, and sometime mistaken for cicada killer bees. They build above-ground nests, usually in trees, and are active in the Spring. It’s recommended that you contact a pest control company to remove a hornet nest, but they do not pose a serious threat to humans and will die or hibernate in the Fall.
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April's Pest of the Month – Carpenter Bees

carpenter bee-uga websiteCarpenter bees are often mistake for bumble bees because of their similarity in size and color.

Habits

  • Often found under decks or porch railings and under the eaves of a house.
  • Make nests by tunneling into wood.
  • Leave a trail of sawdust as they discard of the wood to build partitions within the tunnels.
  • Feed on plant nectar, not wood.

Threats

  • Homes with wooden decks, eaves, or other areas of exposed wood are likely targets for carpenter bee damage.
  • Males do not have stingers but can be aggressive to other bees, animals, or people near the nest.
  • Females can sting but rarely do unless they are agitated.

Prevention

  • Treat or paint all exposed wood surfaces.
  • Each nest hole should be treated individually if bees are inside.
  • Seal or paint nest holes if bees are not inside.

Other Pests to Look Out For:

For more information on carpenter bees you can visit our PEST ID page or call Northwest Exterminating at 888.466.7849.

 

Carpenter Bees Are Making a Buzz in Atlanta

 

Carpenter bee

Last week it was the stink bug, this week it’s the carpenter bee!  We told you that the weird temperatures were going to bring out these pests…and here they are!

It’s officially spring which means that carpenter bees are out in Atlanta and other southeastern areas.  There is a good chance that you are seeing these large black bees along with the large black tunnels that they create in wood around your home.  Those are carpenter bees that have been living in those holes and tunnels throughout the winter and are emerging in the spring time to find places for new nests, which can mean new holes and tunnels in your wood.  Carpenter bees are often confused with bumble bees but differ slightly in appearance.  The upper surface of the carpenter bee’s abdomen is bare and a shiny black color; while bumble bees have a hairy abdomen and yellow markings.

Carpenter bees drill through wood to build nests where they stay all winter and throughout the spring until they find a new nest or emerge to mate.  Although male bees tend to be aggressive, often hovering around people who are near their nests, they are mostly harmless since they do not have stingers.  On the other hand, females can inflict a painful sting but rarely do unless they are being handled.

Carpenter bee tunnel

You may find piles of wood underneath the hole where the bee has drilled their nest.  Carpenter bees prefer to make their nests in bare, untreated or weathered wood.  Wood that is painted or pressure-treated is much less susceptible to a carpenter bees nesting.  Common areas for nesting include window trim, facia board, siding, wooden shakes, decks and outdoor furniture.

The best control for carpenter bees is to treat or paint all exposed wood surfaces.  If you are using a spray, it is best to spray at night, while wearing protective clothing, when bees are less active to reduce your risk of being stung.  Each hole should be treated individually if the bees are inside the holes.  If they are not in the hole, seal or paint the hole so the bees cannot return.

As with most infestations, it is best to call a professional exterminator to ensure that the issue is taken care of quickly and thoroughly. Call Northwest Exterminating if you are seeing carpenter bees or other pests around your home.

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