Summer Bees Bore Through Boards

When the weather gets warmer, many of us worry about a termite infestation in our homes. While these pesky insects cause extensive and expensive damage to homes each year, there is another pest to look out for this summer—the carpenter bee.

In the past few years, Hughes Exterminators has been receiving more calls about carpenter bees than ever before. These large bees usually come out in May and June. It is this time of year that they come out of hibernation and build their nests. Unlike other stinging insects that build nests in trees, brush, or on the outside of buildings, carpenter bees create nests by boring into wood.

What is a Carpenter Bee?

Carpenter bees tend to nest in softer woods: cedar, pine, redwood, and cypress are common dwelling places. They prefer bare, weathered, and unpainted wood, but they will make exceptions and bore through paint. The bee’s drilling weakens the integrity of the wood, and can cause major structural damage to your decks, doorframes, wooden roofs, fences, windowsills, and furniture.

How can you tell a carpenter bee from other bees? They resemble bumblebees, but the carpenter bee has a black, shiny abdomen, compared to the fuzzy, golden abdomen of its cousin. Male carpenter bees don’t have stingers, but they can be quite aggressive, and will often dive at or hover around those who get too close to their nests. The female has a stinger, but she usually will only sting if provoked.

Contact Carpenter Bee Experts in Florida Today

If you see carpenter bees in your area, you may be at risk of an infestation. Be sure to contact a pest control professional from Hughes Exterminators immediately to avoid potential damages to your home. Family owned and operated, Hughes exterminators offers the best in pest control, consistently going Beyond the Call® to protect families and their property.

For a free, no-obligation whole home evaluation, click here to complete a form or call us at 877-464-8443.