Q: How can I tell if I have carpenter bees?
A: Carpenter bees are large, active bees that can fly and nest around your property. They have a unique flight pattern that looks almost erratic as they dip and dive with no clear path. Observing this pattern is the easiest way to differentiate them from bumble bees. Carpenter bees are solitary bees that live alone in a single hole with 6-8 eggs. Dry, unpainted or unfinished wood is ideal for carpenter bee nesting. This includes areas such as decking, sheds, railings, behind shudders, and along roof lines. Carpenter bees leave what looks like a mud splatter stain below where they create their nest. This is caused by the process of a carpenter bee spitting out the wood that they chew through to create the hole.
Q: Why do I have carpenter bees?
A: Carpenter bees become most active in the spring and summer when they emerge from their nests to mate. In search of a place to live, female carpenter bees find wood and drill a single hole with a small series of tunnels that go deeper into the wood. The goal of creating these tunnels is to lay larvae in a safe space away from the elements. In the fall, new carpenter bees use these tunnels to survive the harsh fall and winter temperatures. If not treated, carpenter bees will come back to the same hole year after year.
Q: Do carpenter bees sting?
A: Yes, carpenter bees have the ability to sting. They are not inherently aggressive so it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be stung. These solitary bees don’t attack humans unless provoked. We suggest leaving carpenter bees alone and letting professionals handle the infestation for safety purposes.
Q: Can carpenter bees destroy my home?
A: Carpenter bees drill into wood in places such as decking, patio furniture, outdoor playsets, the eaves on the exterior of your home, and other places where there is exposed wood. They prefer wood that is unfinished and left without paint, but any wood can be susceptible to carpenter bee damage. A single female carpenter bee will live within a hole to create a series of internal tunnels for the purpose of laying larvae. They come back to the same hole year after year so it isn’t likely that new holes will appear unless additional carpenter bees nest nearby. The damage carpenter bees create is mainly cosmetic and will not greatly impact the integrity of the structure where their nest is made. However, carpenter bee larvae are a food source for woodpeckers. Woodpeckers cause more damage than carpenter bees so it’s suggested that you take care of the issue before it escalates to this point.
Q: What can Cooper do to help?
A: Our Carpenter Bee Removal Program targets the larger area where carpenter bee activity exists. Instead of treating each hole individually, our Cooper technician will treat the entire wood area where the bees are drilling holes. This application acts as a non-repellent, causing carpenter bees die when they try to reenter their current nests or create new nests within the treated area. Cooper Pest Solutions does not provide carpenter bee control services for nests located above 26 feet or above the second story of homes.
Q: How quickly can I expect them to be gone?
A: After 3-5 days, you can expect that the existing carpenter bees will die. No new holes should appear in the area where our technician has treated. Male carpenter bees may still persist for 1-2 weeks following treatment. These bees will not cause additional damage because they are males which do not drill holes and nest.
Q: What happens if they come back?
A: If you are still seeing carpenter bee activity after 2 weeks, please call our customer service department for fast technician dispatch. The Carpenter Bee Removal Program is 100% guaranteed until September 30 th within the same year that you begin service.
Q: Do you have preventative carpenter bee services?
A: Yes. Please call us to learn more about our Carpenter Bee Prevention Program to prevent carpenter bee infestations before they happen.
Q: Can I get rid of carpenter bees myself?
A: Although many sources claim they can get rid of carpenter bees “naturally” or without professional pest control, they do not take into consideration the biology and behavior of carpenter bees. A lot of clients call in because they used store-bought sprays that failed, which simply push the bees from one hole to another rather than eliminating the population. Another strategy we hear about is that clients try sealing off the holes with foam. This also will not work because the carpenter bees can easily chew through it. Carpenter bee traps are presented as a “natural” option, encouraging carpenter bees to live within homemade wooden traps instead of around your home. Unfortunately, this doesn’t discourage the bees from damaging your home. Some may enter the traps, but there is nothing stopping them from choosing your deck instead. Without addressing the areas around your home where the holes exist, offering other options simply isn’t enough.
Q: Is the treatment environmentally friendly?
A: All products used by Cooper Pest Solutions are EPA registered for pest control use. Our highly trained pest control professionals will follow all appropriate label requirements to keep pets and humans safe.
Q: How soon can you get here?
A: At Cooper Pest Solutions, our goal is to provide fast, convenient service, with the peace of mind that you are in good hands. We understand that pest problems can be stressful and overwhelming, so we strive to provide service the next day and as soon as the same day if possible.
