Dealing with bees around your Quad Cities home or business is never fun. While some bees might look cute with their fuzzy appearance and bright colors, they aren’t a welcome guest around your property. And, while bees play an important role in the environment, they can be dangerous, and sometimes even destructive, to have around.
Carpenter bees are one of the most frustrating bee species in the area to deal with. First of all, they can sting just like most other species, but they can also cause property damage. They tunnel through all kinds of wooden structures as this is where they build their nests. Because of this, they can do similar damage to termites just on a slightly smaller scale.
However, unlike termites, carpenter bees don’t actually eat wood, they just bore through it. To help you prevent and control carpenter bees, we’ve put together this helpful guide.
Guide To Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees can be difficult at first to tell apart from other bee species as they share many of the same characteristics. These bees are round and furry just like other bumblebees, but they do have a couple of identifying features you can look for to tell them apart.
To start, carpenter bees have large black abdomens, and they don’t have yellow or orange stripes. Also, carpenter bees only have fur behind their heads while most other species in Quad Cities have this fur all over their bodies.
How Worried Should You Be About Carpenter Bees?
Luckily, carpenter bees are much more of a concern for your property than for you or other people around you. While they do pose some health risks, mainly if someone is allergic to their venom, serious health issues are rare. Most of these stings won’t require a visit to the hospital, but those who know they are allergic to bees should take extra precautions to avoid being stung.
The main thing you have to worry about with carpenter bees is the destruction they can cause. They create holes in decks, porches, sheds, siding, and more. They generally prefer to build nests in softer kinds of wood such as pine, cedar, and redwood. Also, they are more likely to get into untreated, unpainted wood especially if it’s weathered.
How Can You Remove Carpenter Bees?
If you’ve noticed carpenter bees around your Quad Cities property, trying to remove them using DIY methods can be difficult. They can tunnel into many areas around your home or business, and trying to remove all of them is nearly impossible without the proper tools.
The longer these bees remain, the more damage they can cause, and this can cost you a lot of money. Luckily, the experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators provide effective, reliable carpenter bee removal services. We also offer ongoing residential and commercial pest prevention plans to keep carpenter bees and other stinging insects away. Contact us today to request your inspection and get started.
Five Carpenter Bee Prevention Tips
Professional pest control is the best way to handle carpenter bees, but there are still some steps you can take to make your property less appealing to these pests. These measures can help you avoid having carpenter bee problems in the future.
Here are five of the best tips:
Keep wooden structures, especially outdoors, treated with paint or varnish.
Fix and remove gaps or openings in the roofline to keep carpenter bees from coming inside.
Avoid overplanting flowering plants and also avoid overwatering.
Get rid of standing water from your property as this moisture can attract bees.
If you have timber around your property, protect it with wire mesh or metal flashing.
Defense is always the best offense against pests, but if you already have carpenter bees on your property, don't hesitate to call the professionals at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators for fast and effective removal.