05/05/2022
Highlight of Frequently Asked Questions!
Q: I have carpenter bees. What can I do to get rid of them?
A: Unfortunately, carpenter bees are tough. They are a solitary bee, so it is not like you can take out a whole nest and get rid of them as with wasps or hornets - you can only deal with them one at a time. As pest professionals, we could come and treat a hole and it would eliminate the one bee that was in the hole but it is not going to deter another bee from coming and boring another hole and they generally do not use the same hole over again. They are, however, seasonal and will generally only be around for about 4-6 weeks in the spring when the females are looking for a place to lay their eggs and then again for about 4-6 weeks in the fall when the eggs emerge as new bees depending on the weather.
Many homeowners are most concerned about the holes they bore into their decks, facia or other exterior wood. Seeing holes in your exterior and a small pile of sawdust is unsettling. A few holes here or there is probably pretty normal for Georgia but the best deterrence for this is a good thick coat of paint, stain or varnish. They will be much less of a nuisance if they are unable to get ahold of a little piece of wood fiber to start boring their hole. If you find you have a certain area where they are very attracted to, you can try hanging a carpenter bee trap which may be purchased at your local home improvement store or on line.
Carpenter bees are non-aggressive and although the female can sting, rarely does unless highly agitated. If you are trying to enjoy some relaxation on your deck or porch and they seem to be bouncing off of you, which they often do, you can always keep a tennis racket close by for defense! 🙂
Although carpenter bees can be a bother, the good news is there are some preventable measures that can be taken, they are only around for a few weeks, they generally will not sting you and they are still beneficial insects to the pollination process. So, if you can be patient for a few weeks and let them do what nature intended for them to do, they will be gone before you know it!