April's Pest of the Month – Carpenter Bees

Carpenter 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:

• Ants
• Kudzu Bugs
• Stink Bugs
• Termites

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