Carpenter Bee Removal
in Illinois
When you think of pests in your home, you may think of mice, termites, ants, or spiders. You may think of bees as more of an outdoor pest that doesn’t really affect your home, but that’s not the case when it comes to carpenter bees.
Female carpenter bees chew wood, creating tunnels. Many prefer the wood on houses, so it’s not uncommon for homeowners to find that bees are creating holes in various parts of the home.
Many people are scared of bees and don’t want them around their property. While carpenter bees don’t bite, the females will sting if provoked. Carpenter bees are pollinators for certain flowers, so while they may have a bad reputation, they are helpful—just not in your home. That’s why you need to contact American Pest Control for carpenter bee removal at the first sign of infestation.
Types of Carpenter Bees
There are small and large carpenter bees. The large ones are more commonly found as pests in homes. Large carpenter bees have the following characteristics:
- 12-25 mm in length
- Black, greenish black, purplish blue, or metallic blue
- Similar in appearance to bumblebees
- Yellowish hairs on the legs, abdomen, and thorax, but no visible hairs on the top of the abdomen
Small carpenter bees, on the other hand, are under 8 mm long and have a metallic appearance. They are darker in color and have some yellow markings on the body and face.
Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees, except for a hairless abdomen. Wasps are smoother and shinier. Hornets also have a smoother body, while carpenter bees are fuzzier in appearance.
Where They Live
While bumblebees nest in existing holes underground (such as burrows), carpenter bees will create tunnels in wood. They do not live in colonies. Carpenter bees are solitary insects, but will sometimes create nests near each other.
The adults will spend winters in tunnels and then emerge in the spring to mate. When female carpenter bees are fertilized, they will bore into wood to create a tunnel in which to lay their eggs. The female creates cells for housing individual eggs. She then lays eggs, with the babies hatching and then maturing over the course of several weeks. The cycle continues as the babies turn into adults.
Damage Caused by Carpenter Bees
Do you need carpenter bee removal? While not as bad as termites, carpenter bees can still cause significant damage. They prefer soft, unpainted wood, such as:
- Redwood
- Cedar
- Cypress
- Pine
Carpenter bees will nest in various areas of the home, including:
- Rafters
- Wooden roofs
- Eaves
- Siding
- Fascia boards
- Decks
- Outdoor furniture
There are several signs that you have carpenter bees in or around your home:
- Entrance holes in wood (about ½ inch in diameter)
- Sawdust around holes
- Feces near entrance holes
- Presence of male carpenter bees flying around
How Do You Get Rid of Carpenter Bees?
While there are sprays and DIY products that may work temporarily, it’s best to get help from the professionals. American Pest Control can inspect your home and determine the best course of action to ensure these annoying pests are fully eradicated from your home. We’ll get rid of them safely and effectively.
While you shouldn’t perform carpenter bee removal on your own, you can do your part to prevent infestations. You can replace wood siding on your home with vinyl siding. Hardwoods such as oak, maple, and ash can also help prevent carpenter bee infestations since they are too dense.
Once you do get the carpenter bees removed, take steps to keep them from coming back. You can do this by replacing any damaged wood, keeping wood painted and well-maintained, and thoroughly assessing your home for new holes.
