Carpenter bees are aptly named after one of their greatest skills: their handiness.
These bees, which are prevalent pests in Merrimac, live primarily solitary lives, and to survive, each bee must learn to build its own nest. The bees will nest in wood that’s decayed or untreated, burrowing small, quarter-inch-wide holes into decks, siding, and other areas of the property—and leaving Merrimac home and property owners to repair the damage.
Read on for more about how to identify carpenter bees, if there’s anything that can instantly kill carpenter bees, and the damage that carpenter bees can cause in Merrimac. With effective pest control solutions, explained below, learn how you can have carpenter bees removed from your Merrimac property—for good.
How To Identify Carpenter Bees
Large carpenter bees are common throughout Merrimac. Often mistaken for bumblebees, as they are similar in appearance, large carpenter bees cause the most damage to Merrimac properties.
Large carpenter bees have round bodies that range from a half-inch to one-inch long, with black and yellow markings. However, unlike bumblebees, which have hairy bottoms, carpenter bees have a lower body that’s shiny, and also, unlike bumblebees, carpenter bees prefer to live in solitude. These bees have stingers, though they will not sting unless provoked.
Does Anything Instantly Kill Carpenter Bees?
If you encounter carpenter bees, a water-and-vinegar solution will kill them on contact, as well as their larvae. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray directly onto the pests or into the holes they create, which indicate where they are nesting.
What Damage Can Carpenter Bees Cause In Merrimac?
The damage to homes and properties caused by carpenter bees directly results from their nesting habits.
Carpenter bees don’t feed on wood, but they will create nesting chambers by burrowing up to an inch into wooden structures. The holes made by carpenter bees severely weaken the wood, which spreads over time to other structural components and shows, for example, as bulging walls, dipped-in ceilings, and sinks that have sunk into the floor. Once the home or structure begins to warp, its integrity has been compromised, and it can be deemed unsafe to inhabit.
Wooden structures that carpenter bees are commonly found nesting in include untreated and decaying wood used in:
- Porches
- Decks
- Sheds
- Exterior steps
- Fencing
- Barns and shacks
- Telephone poles
- Undersides of porch railings
Aside from their nests, if carpenter bees are infesting your Merrimac property, you’ll also notice the following three signs:
- Sawdust piles on the ground outside carpenter bees’ nests indicate activity.
- Yellowing stains on the wood underneath carpenter bees’ nests caused by residue from excrement and pollen.
- Buzzing sounds, which may suggest that you have carpenter bees nesting within the walls of your home.
What Is The Best Treatment For Carpenter Bees
Not only are carpenter bees destructive to homes and properties, but they also sting if provoked. Steer clear of unnecessary bee stings and avoid further damage to your home by calling the professionals at Freedom Pest Control.
A family-owned and operated business, Freedom Pest Control has been servicing home and property owners in Merrimac for more than 25 years. In addition to treatments targeting carpenter bees and other pests, we offer year-round pest control plans for your Merrimac home, no matter the date or time of year.
If you suspect you may have carpenter bees, let your newest partner in pest control handle it for you. Give Freedom Pest Control a call today at (978) 767-2468.