Unlike their striped counterparts, the chances of being stung by a carpenter bee are slim. Females can sting but will only do so if directly threatened. Males appear aggressive as they loudly fly around people and pets, but they are not harmful since males do not have a stinger.
So, how can you tell if a carpenter bee is male or female? The key is to look at their head markings. Males have small white markings, and females have pure black heads.
Regardless of where you’re seeing male or female carpenter bees, it’s important to call a professional. These jolly giants can cause significant damage to your home. Carpenter bees, also known as bore bees or wood bees, do not eat wood. Rather, they cause damage to structures by drilling circular holes to create tunnels inside wood. Unlike other types of bees, carpenter bees do not live in nests or colonies. Instead, female carpenter bees bore circular holes through soft wood to lay eggs and protect their larvae as they develop.
How to identify a carpenter bee.
Carpenter bees look like bumble bees, but they lack yellow markings on their abdomens. Carpenter bees have smooth, black, shiny abdomens. Whereas bumble bees have hairy, yellow abdomens. The most common signs of a carpenter bee infestation are the round, smooth holes that carpenter bees bore into wood. Homeowners should regularly inspect the perimeter of the home, deck, and surrounding property for the presence of these holes and hovering bees.
How to prevent infestations
Painting and staining wood can sometimes help deter carpenter bees because they prefer bare wood. However, that is not a fool-proof method, as they have been known to bore into stained or painted wood when needed. To avoid carpenter bees entering the home, it’s recommended that homeowners seal cracks and crevices along the foundation with a silicone-based caulk, repair any tears in screens, and keep doors always closed.
How to Treat
It’s always best to call a professional to deal with possible carpenter bee infestations. Although they don’t produce honey, carpenter bees are still important pollinators and essential to the ecosystem. At Romans Pest Management, we will always assess the situation and create a customized pest treatment plan for any infestation. In the case of carpenter bees, if we are called in early enough, we can use non-chemical, preventative measures to deter carpenter bees from establishing a nest. Unfortunately, once they are established, the only way to remove them is with chemicals.
As soon as you start to see carpenter bees buzzing around, give us a call! At Romans Pest Management, we know that people tend to wait until they have exhausted all options before resorting to a professional. We get it! But, like most other professions, we’ll be the first to say, don’t wait! Instead of wasting time and money on over-the-counter products that are ineffective or wrong for the job, just give us a call to get it done right the first time. We’ll come out and do a FREE no-pressure inspection. If you’re not happy with the estimated amount, we’ll leave, no harm done.
Conveniently located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Romans Pest Management serves the whole Tri-State area, including Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. Give us a call today for your free inspection and a quote on an affordable treatment plan.