Do You Have Carpenter Bees? Here’s How to Know

Carpenter bees are one of the less showy stinging insects, but they are also one of the most damaging to the home. Here are some of the top signs that your home has these wood-boring insects:

You See Them

Carpenter bees look a lot like bumblebees and are of a similar size. Unlike bumblebees, they have a fully black middle and rear, which makes them easy to tell them apart from bumblebees with stripes of black and yellow on their abdomens. Also, they like to hang around rooflines and eaves, as they make their nests in wood. These bees will seem a bit territorial and will lead them to their holes if you watch them for a little while.

Holes and Sawdust

Carpenter bees make almost perfectly round holes into homes. They like to go from the bottom up, then turn 90 degrees and bore with the grain. This makes eaves a popular choice. They can also bore under decks or other boards. Sometimes there will be tunnel edges that are not perfectly round. Sawdust piles are another sign that someone is busy in your home’s wood; carpenter bees are a common culprit.

Noise

The sound of chewing is sometimes heard in walls when you have carpenter bees. This is quieter, but no less disturbing, than the sound of gnawing rodents.

Structural Weakness

If you have bee problems for some time, you may find some weak areas in your home’s structure. Sagging, creaking floorboards and rooflines that are not squared are just some of the signs to watch for.

What Now?

Good wildlife removal companies offer a multi-step program. When you work with us, we will identify the problem and the reason that it’s happening. We won’t just remove the insects, we will also assess the damage level and repairs. We take the extra step of finding any other issues in your home that can lead to water damage or tempting access points for other creatures. Work with us once, and we will try to make sure you don’t need us anytime soon.

Not sure? Let us perform an inspection for you.