Catch of the Week: Carpenter Bees

August 12, 2016

This past week the Preferred Pest technicians were called to a Des Moines home with a carpenter bee infestation. As you can see in the picture above, the carpenter bees did some serious damage to the homeowner's deck. It is throughout the summer months that carpenter bees are most active and tend to make their nests around homeowner's property.

Carpenter Bee Appearance

Carpenter bees are most commonly mistaken for bumble bees. This species of bee can be black, metallic blue or purplish blue in color, with the males' face featuring sections of yellow. Male and female carpenter bees have yellow hair on their legs, abdomen and thorax. However, these hairs aren't as bold as they are on bumble bees.

Carpenter Bee Behavior

Carpenter ants are known to feed on plant pollen and nectar, though, they do excavate dry and weathered wood objects such as doors and decks. Since gallery construction is an extremely labor intensive process, most female carpenter bees will inhabit an existing nest. However, small carpenter bees will excavate stems and twigs partially to build their nests. These females will overwinter in the stems and twigs and then in the spring the female bee will finish excavating to make room for a brood nest that will consist of pollen and nectar.

How to Identify a Carpenter Bee Infestation

There are a few distinct ways to identify a carpenter bee infestation. The most common signs are: Round holes in wood on the exterior of your home. Sawdust under the holes that appear on the exterior of your home. Insects that resemble a Bumble bee flying around.

Want to learn more about carpenter bees? Check out the Pest Library!

Des Moines Pest Control

Have you noticed carpenter bees swarming around your property? If so, you may have an infestation on your hands! It is important never to attempt to take care of a bee infestation on your own, always call a pest professional to safely and carefully locate and remove the hive. For carpenter bee questions or help, give us a call at (515) 276-7277 or schedule an appointment online!