The buzzing sound of bees around your house can be scary and even more alarming if you see more than one. Carpenter bees, to be precise, can be very damaging, so you must take proactive measures as soon as you suspect to have an infestation. Discover more about carpenter bee infestations and what to do.
What Are Carpenter Bees?
As the name suggests, carpenter bees mostly love to make their homes in wood. But, contrary to most people’s belief, the insects don’t eat wood — they drill holes in it to create nests for the females to lay eggs in.
Unlike bumble bees, carpenter bees are solitary insects. This means that the bees don’t move in colonies and only stay together to mate, and the males die soon after.
How to Detect a Carpenter Bee Infestation
The first step to protect your property from extensive carpenter damage is to learn the indicators that you already have insects in your property. With this, you can take immediate action before serious damage is done.
Buzzing Sounds in the Walls
When carpenter bees find their way to your property, the walls are the favorite spots. The insects dig tunnels in the wood to make their homes, so you will likely hear the noise of their wings flapping against the walls.
Also, you may hear vibration sounds as the insects dig the tunnels. However, remember that the sounds may indicate the presence of other pests, such as termites. So don’t automatically assume that you have a carpenter bee infestation; instead, let a professional exterminator inspect your property to establish the root of the sounds.
Sawdust
When the insects drill wood, the process entails the creation of sawdust. Carpenter bees mostly leave the sawdust in heaps near the holes they drill. However, you may also notice the sawdust on the door and window frames near the holes.
Again, termites also leave sawdust, so you must be sure the sawdust results from carpenter bee infestation.
Structural Damage
Carpenter bee infestation can be very destructive to your property. The insects dig tunnels in wood, which weakens the structure of the furniture and other wooden structures. So if you notice that your rails and stairs are starting to warp, that may be due to holes drilled by the bees.
You may also see visible holes in the wood, indicating the presence of carpenter bees. The holes are distinct in terms of their shapes, size, and position. Mostly, carpenter bees leave round, smooth holes at the entrance of their nests. Check that the holes are big enough to fit a carpenter bee to ascertain that you have an infestation.
Droppings
Among the most obvious indicators of a carpenter bee infestation are droppings. The insects excrete in their nets, so they may leave the poop dripping from the holes in your walls. The fresh dropping is a brown liquid.
Visible Insects
Seeing the insects around your home indicates that you have a carpenter bee infestation. However, if you see only one or two bees, it may be unavoidable for them to fly by your property, so avoid jumping to conclusions too fast.
What to Do If You Have a Carpenter Bee Infestation
Carpenter bees love bare wood. So you can minimize the chances of infestation by applying paint. However, if you already have an infestation, the best way to go about the issue is to call a professional exterminator. The specialists have the right tools, products, and experience to rid your property of these pests effectively. And the experts will advise you on the best measures to protect your property.
You can trust us at Quality Pest Control to eradicate carpenter bee infestation. We use safe, effective, and targeted methods to eliminate pests from your property. Contact us for an inspection.