Carpenter Bees

Wasps, bumblebees, hornets, and the honeybee. These are all species of the bee that most Austin residents are familiar with. While these bees can pose major problems and big-time threats, it is the carpenter bee that should be the most feared. This is because they stand to do immense amounts of damage to your property. That being said, all species of the bee play extremely vital roles in the ecosystem.

 With their ability to pollinate specific plants and crops, bees should never be killed unless necessary. Unfortunately, there are plenty of times when elimination seems like the only answer for homeowners. When analyzed further by a pro, this will not likely be the only solution and something our pest management pros are willing to help with. However, before delving into that there are some pertinent things that need to be known about this flying nuisance.

They Aren’t Dangerous

Despite their ability to do immense structural damage, these flying nuisances are rarely dangerous. There are only very rare occasions where they pose anyone a physical threat. The carpenter bee is one of the largest members of the bee species and thus very intimidating. With their immense size and propensity for structural damage, many people fear these flying insects at first sight. This is completely understandable, but the carpenter bee won’t really pose a threat unless provoked.

A Non-Aggressive Species

Not only are carpenter bees not a threat, but they aren’t even aggressive. The male of the species is born without a stinger, so even when provoked, there is nothing they can do. They can’t even defend themselves. Females, on the other hand, do have stingers, but only act aggressively in rare situations.

Not Big Egg Layers

The carpenter bee isn’t a big reproducer either. Other species of the bee reproduce twice as much. In her average lifespan, the female carpenter bee will only lay about 6 to 10 eggs before death. This could be due to the fact that egg-laying is oftentimes followed by death. These males perish shortly after the mating takes place. This is the perfect example of the cycle of life.

Understanding Carpenter Bee Attractors

What most people don’t understand is that pests are in and around your home for some reason. They aren’t just randomly showing up. There is something that is attracting them to your property and oftentimes eliminating this attractor can clear up your infestation. Unfortunately, the carpenter bee is a bit of an exception to this rule. The reason being it is drawn to wood. Since most all Austin homes contain wood, it will be hard to remove all the attractive factors.

This being said, there are some things you can do. Start with painting the exterior with a polyurethane coating, as this species is more attracted to weathered, worn wood. Pressure-treated lumber is another good option, as these bees aren’t so as much attracted to this type of wood. Installing siding and plastic over wood is another great option. One of the best deterrents is sacrificial structures. If you have the room and budget, you can build wooden structures to draw the bee’s attention elsewhere.

Regardless, the best deterrent of all is our pest management pros. We have the knowledge and tools to help keep these pests from your home. Whether you have questions, concerns, or just want to speak with someone about carpenter bees, we always have someone available at our Austin office. It’s just up to you to give us a call.

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