Maybe you are like me, I have fond memories of playing badminton in the yard with my brother. Okay, maybe we didn’t quite know the rules to badminton. We had no net, sometimes on the same team (although most of the time not), and those birdies… may not have all been made of foam and plastic netting. If you are like me, and read the title too, you already know where this is going. Those birdies more often than not were actually Carpenter Bees.
As children, we certainly didn’t know any better. They were annoying and would eat into our cypress sided house ALL OVER. The buzzing chewing sounds in the wood was a tell-tale sign of these pesky native bees. What I know now makes me cringe at my past actions.
Carpenter Bees can be considered a pest because they do love to nest in the siding or structure of any house if there is wood exposed. These bees fall under the category of solitary nesters. When we think of bees, usually our first thought is honeybees in a hive. Working together as a collective unit, honeybees thrive off of the community and shared responsibilities. Carpenter Bees don’t. Over the years they have evolved to lead a different type of life. Females will dig out tunnels to lay their eggs and keep the young safe until they mature. This also includes their food stores because she may lay them and leave them, but she wants them to have a solid chance at life.
Carpenter Bees and Bumble Bees can be mistaken. The easiest way to tell the difference is by size. Consider the Carpenter Bee as a large 18-Wheeler compared to the Bumble Bee as a pickup truck. Carpenters are distinctly much larger. Another quick way is to check out their bee booties. Carpenter Bees have Shiny Hinnies and Bumble Bees have Hair There.
Identification and Behavior
- Appearance: Carpenter bees have a shiny, black abdomen, distinguishing them from the hairy abdomen of bumblebees.Extension | UGA Cooperative Extension
- Nesting Habits: They bore round holes into wood to lay eggs, creating tunnels that can weaken structures over time.Extension | UGA Cooperative Extension+6Extension | UGA Cooperative Extension+6Extension | UGA Cooperative Extension+6
- Pollination: While they do pollinate certain plants, their tendency to “rob” nectar without pollinating can negatively impact some crops. Extension | UGA Cooperative Extension
DISCLAIMER BEFORE YOU CONTINUE: We owe these bees so much more than a whacking from a badminton racket. Native bee populations are more threatened than honeybees. They pollinate our flowers that provide food and fiber to us. Protecting pollinators of all kinds falls on all of us. We are creating the number one reason for their population declines – urbanizing natural space and removing their habitat. If these bees are not creating an issue for you, then let them have a couple of holes and pat yourself on the back for doing your part. If it is becoming an aesthetic eyesore, consider leaving wood in other parts of your landscape to attract them there instead of your home. If this is such an issue that you need to result to other methods of control, please do not use young MC’s method and read below.
Control Methods
1. Chemical Treatments
- Insecticides: Apply insecticides such as carbaryl (Sevin), permethrin, or deltamethrin directly into the bee’s tunnels. This should be done in the evening when bees are less active. Leave the holes open for a few days to allow bees to contact the insecticide, then seal the holes with wood filler or caulk.
- Aerosol Sprays: Jet spray aerosols can be effective when applied directly into the holes. Reapply every two weeks during active periods.
2. Preventive Measures
- Wood Treatments: Painting or staining wood surfaces can deter bees from nesting, although it may not provide complete protection.
- Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain wooden structures, sealing any cracks or holes to prevent nesting.
3. Traps
- Bee Traps: Commercially available or homemade traps can reduce bee populations. Place traps on the sunny side of structures for maximum effectiveness. Extension | UGA Cooperative Extension
Additional Considerations
- Woodpecker Damage: Carpenter bee larvae can attract woodpeckers, leading to further damage as they peck into wood to access the larvae.
- Timing: In Georgia, begin treatments in March when bees become active. Reapply treatments as necessary throughout the season.
For more detailed information and assistance, consider reaching out to your local Cooperative Extension office or visiting the University of Georgia Extension website.
