What Will Keep Carpenter Bees Away in Windsor, CO & How Do You Keep Them from Nesting?

One of the largest species of bees found throughout America and in the state of Colorado is the carpenter bee. Carpenter bees are a very interesting species. Unlike most bee species, carpenter bees are not social and do not make large bee hives nor fill them with thousands of colony members. Additionally, it is not the sting of carpenter bees that pose a problem. Instead, it is their destructive behavior. Effective Pest Services will share the behavior of carpenter bees and how to control them.

How Do I Identify a Carpenter Bee?

Carpenter bees are a very large species of bee that can grow up to a full inch in length. Carpenter bees are either all black or black and yellow in color. They are mostly seen during late spring and early summer where you may see them darting around your yard. As stated, carpenter bees do not make hives and are not social. Carpenter bees will mate and a single couple will remain together. Carpenter bees have a short adult life. When carpenter bees mature they will find a mate and together they will create a nest to lay their eggs.

Where Do Carpenter Bees Nest?

Carpenter bees chew through wood and lay their eggs in the galleries they create. They originally cut galleries in tree trunks but due to urbanization, they have adapted and began building their nests in human domains. Carpenter bees love various types of wood, mainly pines, redwoods, cedar, and cypress. They also tend to favor unpainted, decaying, or dry soft wood where they can chew easily through the wood. Carpenter bees will chew their nest in many different types of structures from decks, to eaves, window trim, and other exterior woods. After laying their eggs, they seal the holes after providing enough food for the larva to feed on until they mature. The next generation of carpenter bees will often return to their home. They will recycle their parent’s hard work and may continue to expand the nest.

How Do You Keep Carpenter Bees from Nesting?

Carpenter bees are not aggressive and typically never sting unless their nest is directly threatened. However, having them cut holes for their nest in your home isn’t ideal. You will want to prevent carpenter bees from building their nest in your home’s exterior wood features. One recommended step is to make sure all of the wood outside your home is well maintained. Maintain a protective layer of paint or exterior sealer to help deter the bees. If carpenter bees are detected later in the season and they have already begun digging their nest, you may need to replace the infected piece of wood and replace it. Often birds and other predators may increase the damage if they detect the carpenter bee’s nest as they’ll want to feed on the larva. However, for proper control you can contact a professional pest control service to help prevent future carpenter bees and prevent further damage. Carpenter bees, if found nesting in a tree nearby, is not a major threat even though they may look intimidating. However, only the female is equipped with a stinger and only stings if her eggs are threatened. Carpenter bees will kill other insects for their larva to feed on. However, as a mature adult, they will feed on pollen and nectar.

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Where they help pollinate plants and reduce other pests around your yard, if possible tolerate their presence. However, if they begin damaging and nesting in your home, contact Effective Pest Services. We control bees, wasps and other pests.

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