How To Identify A Carpenter Bee Infestation

Appearance - Carpenter bees are large bees just under an inch in length. They are often confused with bumble bees due to their size and hairy upper bodies. The carpenter bee has a black, shiny lower body, unlike a bumble bee which has a hairy bottom.

Behavior - Carpenter bees hollow out wood to form their new homes, often in eaves, window sills, or wood siding of your home. But, it's not uncommon for carpenter bees to use pre-existing tunnels rather than create new ones. Often damage occurs above the first level of your residence in the form of perfectly shaped holes in the siding. Carpenter bees do not eat wood and will leave wood bits and dust behind as a sign of their current residence in your walls where they seek shelter and have their young. Male carpenter bees will not sting but are known to aggressively “dive bomb” perceived threats to the nest.

Why You Might Have Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees seek out dry wood to live in. The wood of house siding, door trim, and window sills are good homes, as well as many other worn or unpainted wooden surfaces. Hudson Valley carpenter bees set their sights high, so if you live near or own a home that has multiple stories, carpenter bees will most likely burrow on the second floor - for their own safety.

Reasons To Treat Your Carpenter Bee Problem Immediately

Carpenter bee activity tends to be a nuisance and a threat to your Hudson Valley residence. Too many carpenter bees burrowing at once can cause costly structural and aesthetic damage to the side of your home. Woodpeckers will often peck into house siding seeking carpenter bee larvae for food. While they do not sting, male carpenter bees are territorial. Female carpenter bees can sting if provoked and can be a danger to your family and pets.

Call us today for Hudson Valley carpenter bee control, so you and your family can rest assured your Hudson Valley home will be safe.