How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees Safely and Effectively

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees:

In the bustling world of pesky bugs, the carpenter bees are like our version of the misunderstood rockstars. They're bulky, adorned in black, and often confused for their mellow cousins, the bumblebees. 

‍

They're not the feisty type, but they do have a knack for turning your beloved wooden structures into their personal abode. If these buzzing artists have started their craftsmanship in your residence, here's a guide to send them packing, though, I should say, getting a professional on board is always your best bet to treat and prevent carpenter bees.

‍

What exactly are Carpenter Bees?

Much like the lone rangers of the wild west, carpenter bees are solitary creatures, living life on their own terms. Female carpenter bees do have a bit of a sting, but only when they're feeling cornered and threatened. There's a tall tale going around that a sting means death for these ladies - quite the myth, I tell ya! Their smooth stingers are like reusable needles, ready to strike multiple times.

‍

These lumber-loving insects are fans of the soft, unpainted variety of wood - cedar, redwood, or pine, they love 'em all. They won't say no to treated wood either, but they do tend to prefer raw untreated boards.

‍

How to Identify Carpenter Bees:

A carpenter bee looks like a bumblebee who's gone to a goth concert - same size, but clad in black with a glossy abdomen. They flaunt large mandibles - their master tool for carving wooden homes. The males, though stingless, have quite the temper, known to dive bomb at human or animal faces if they sense a threat, body slamming them repeatedly much like a wrestler.

‍

Best ways to treat Carpenter Bees:

Thankfully, there's more than one way to send these carpenter bees packing. You can start by sealing all the nooks and crannies around your house that seem like an open invitation to these creatures. Setting up bee traps around your property is another nifty trick. These traps work by faking a homey environment for the bees, luring them into a clear receptacle (often a jar) that traps them.

‍

Using a pesticide specifically tailored for carpenter bees can also help. Don't be fooled into using a one-size-fits-all insecticide, or trying a DIY with household products like WD-40 - not only are these harmful to Mother Nature and highly flammable, but they might not even work! The ideal route is to get a pest control professional to draft a robust, safe, and effective treatment plan.

‍

Preventing Carpenter Bees:

The top defense strategy against future carpenter bee invasions is to avoid keeping soft, bare wood around your house. Seal any such wood with a sealant that's a turn-off for these critters. Adding some bee-unfriendly flora, like lavender, mint, and marigolds, to your yard can also do the trick in deterring carpenter bees.

‍

Where we Treat:

Aruza proudly provides carpenter bee pest control to Charlotte NC, Greensboro NC, Greenville SC, Charleston SC, Greenville SC, Raleigh NC, and Orlando FL.

‍