Carpenter bees might not sting you, but the damage they can cause to wooden decks, fencing, and other structures could have you howling in pain.

These large bees are native to the Roanoke area, and their populations are growing.

They’re about an inch long and muted black and yellow with a sleek, shiny abdomen. By comparison, bumblebees are only about half an inch long, bright yellow and black, and noticeably fuzzy.

While carpenter bees are great pollinators, they aren’t great neighbors. They emerge each spring in search of soft wood for their nests.

Signs of a Carpenter Bee Infestation

Carpenter bees are most active in the spring and summer, when temperatures are warm.

They bore small holes into wood — they prefer softer woods like cedar and pine, but will nest in any unpainted wood that’s easily available. Look for:

• Small round holes in wood, about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter
• Small piles of sawdust on the ground near those holes
• One or two large bees are trying to chase you away — this is the male defending the nest

Carpenter bees don’t live in colonies, so one hole is one nest. If you see more carpenter bees, keep looking for more holes.

Here’s the problem: Each hole looks small, but it’s just the entrance to the nest, which is larger and deeper in the wood.

Carpenter Bee Prevention

The best defense against carpenter bees is to keep fresh paint or stain on wood and use a wood sealant.

Once you find a carpenter bee hole, fill it in with wood putty or caulk. Then re-paint or re-stain the spot. Left untreated, these holes become attractive to other pests, like woodpeckers and termites, which only makes the damage worse.

Depending on how you feel about carpenter bees, you can also buy carpenter bee traps to put up near your home or carpenter bee houses to lure bees to a better nest far away from your home.

Carpenter Bee Control

If you’re seeing more carpenter bees than usual or are just tired of them chasing you every time you walk outside, call Bug Man. We have the experience and the right equipment to get rid of any bee issue without causing any harm to you or your family.

Chase Away Spring and Summer Pests

Bug Man Exterminating has decades of experience treating Virginia bugs, including carpenter bees and more. We also offer green pest control solutions, giving you confidence that your home is treated safely and effectively by trained experts. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and estimate.