Carpenter Bees – What Type Of Insect Species

The carpenter bee species is what scientists have deemed a “parasocial” insect, which means they travel and live in colonies. The characteristics of a carpenter bee utilized to initially identify the carpenter bee include a bluish/black, shiny, airless abdomen, a tri-segmented body, 1-1.5 inches long, hairy legs, and yellowish/orange coloration. Like many insect species, carpenter bee genders (female and male) vary slightly, The adult female has a stinger while the adult male does not. Another very, if not most important identifying characteristic is the head. The male has a white marking on his head, the female, on the other hand, has a single tiny dot centralized on top of her head.

Why Did I Find A Carpenter Bee Nest On My Property?

Adult carpenter bees have been shown to build nests when paired with adult females. The nests can be found in buildings, decks, sheds, trees, and other wooden structures. The insect is specifically drawn to deteriorating, untreated softwoods. Reports also show the carpenter bee does not consume wood, only bores out holes for overwintering and nesting.

Carpenter bees are drawn to decaying softwoods like the pine and spruce trees.

Should I Be Concerned About My Children’s Health With A Carpenter Bee Nest Nearby?

Carpenter bees will not pose a threat to you or your children and pets as long as no one nears the nest. Only the female will retaliate with a sting when threatened. However, scientists believe the carpenter bee has a timid nature, minimizing the odds of the female utilizing her stinger even under threat. Indoor sightings are extremely rare but a health risk, nonetheless.

Like ants, cockroaches, and flies, carpenter bees have been associated with foodborne illnesses in humans. To support this theory, carpenter bees can travel moderate distances, picking up bacteria and viruses along the way. Say, a carpenter bee contaminated with germs lands on your peanut butter sandwich. You think nothing of it and ingest the contaminated food, resulting in a foodborne illness like salmonella and Shigella.

Carpenter bee larvae attract woodpeckers, which are very determined bird species. The woodpecker will spend hours boring holes in wooden surfaces to access a nest of carpenter bee larvae.

What Is The Most Effective Approach To Carpenter Bee Extermination?

We believe our professional pest control is the most effective carpenter bee extermination solution. We utilize a commercial-grade insecticide to eradicate carpenter bees. Once the bees are no longer a threat, we remove and dispose of the nest per the US Environmental Protection (EPA) guidelines. At this point, the nest is contaminated with pesticide chemicals, resulting in a more strategic removal process. We don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to eliminate all chemical exposure risks. Once the nest is dislodged from the wooden structure, it is placed in a sealed container and transported to a safe location for disposal.

Is DIY Pest Control Appropriate For Carpenter Bee Infestations?

Flying insects like wasps, honey bees, and hornet pose risks to humans and animals when under threat. If your intentions are to spray the nest with chemical-based pesticides while standing only a short distance away, you are going to put yourself in grave danger. While the female is only capable of stinging, both genders will exhibit aggression toward what they believe are predators.

Since the carpenter bee is a parasocial insect, the nest will probably not be packed full. Bumblebees and honeybees, on the other hand, are social insects, which means they live in large colonies. Regardless of the species, we do not recommend DIY pest management for carpenter bee infestations

Are My Children In Danger Of Being Exposed To Chemicals?

No, our exterminators will request an evacuation of the immediate area prior to initiating treatment. Only when the area is deemed “clear” will the exterminators approach the nest. Following treatment and removal of the nest to a safe location, an exterminator will meet with you to discuss the process. During a brief meeting, the exterminator will advise you to take advantage of our carpenter bee prevention to avoid future infestations.

At no time throughout the process will you or your family will be exposed to pesticide chemicals. And, if you prefer, we can transition from a conventional insecticide to an organic or eco-friendly alternative.

How Long Will I Need To Wait Until The Exterminator Arrive At My Home?

Once your carpenter bee extermination service request is submitted, our customer support can initiate processing. This will take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to complete, at which time we will dispatch an exterminator to your home. In the meantime, you can begin preparing for the arrival. We highly recommend being prepared for an evacuation, but only if the carpenter bee nest is nearby.

You do not necessarily need to evacuate the property completely as long as you and your children are out of harm’s way during the treatment process.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.