There are so many different species of bees in the US
but the most apparent is a big bee that looks a lot like
a bumble bee. Expect to find these bees, if you don't
already do circling around flowers and shrubs and under
the eaves of buildings. The Carpenter Bee is so unique
in a way that it's home isn't always a bee hive but a
piece of wood that they bored, that is why they're
called carpenter bees. For that same reason they can be
a bit of bad news when it comes to property consisting of
wood material. The main important reason for a serious
attack of bees is a common sense explanation. Bees guard
their homes and their nesting areas from intruders and
any other type of harm possible to them and they guard
it aggressively. That is why if you think that their
might be carpenter bees in your area and you have an
idea of where their home might be its not a good idea to
go and try getting rid of them yourself and or friends.
How can I tell if there are bees if I don't see them?
Carpenter bees bore holes into wood overhangs, fence
posts, and trees. They will crawl between cracks of
siding and roofing in structures. When they bore in
wood, the hole they drill is about 1/2". This hole will
go straight an inch or two and then turn 90 degrees.
This new portion of the nest becomes an egg chamber.
Eggs are laid at the end of these chambers. Food is
placed alongside the egg and then sealed tight. It is
common for an egg chamber to be two or more feet long.
It may have numerous egg chambers branching out from the
main chamber.
It's vitally important for people to understand that bees
aren't out to get them; they just want their homes
respected and their eggs and food safe. Bees spend days
gathering food and keeping it near their eggs at the
near end of the hole in the wood.
What flowers do carpenter bees like most? Female bees
get their food from once the drilling has been
completed, she will spend her days foraging for food.
You may find her working Azaleas, Bradfords, Daffodils,
Pansies and any plant which will provide pollen.
"Attack of the bees!"
Male bees hang around flowers like
the ones mentioned looking for a mate. But, male bees
are curious and will buzz around people. This buzzing
scares people into thinking they are being "attacked".
TRUE FACT:
Male bees don't have a stinger! He has a
distinctive yellow face, which may be seen while he is
in flight.
Female bees have no interest other than collecting food.
They have a stinger and their face is black. Bumblebees
have yellow and black body hair on all body parts.
Moreover, if you were to find old carpenter bees
nests most likely it's not going to be abandoned for a
long time because bees love going back to where they
were born.
To stop further nests from starting, you must finish all
exposed wood with a protective paint. A hard finish may
keep carpenter bees from using the piece. But, sometimes
not even newly painted wood come stop these bees.
For further questions and concerns about Carpenter Bees
or any other pest control problem, please give us a
call.
Alco Animal & Pest Control provides full carpenter bee
removal and control services in NJ. We are more than happy to inform New Jersey and out of state visitors on these and other
species that (might) cause dangers to their health. We offer great advice and
solutions because we are well certified and informed when it comes to animal control and
the
safety of animals in New Jersey, that is our
main priority.
