Date Posted: April 6, 2016
Category: Pest Control
Everyone knows what a bumblebee is. It is hard to miss this insect's portly size and recognizable buzz. But do you know for sure that you are looking at a bumblebee when you see one of these large bees lumbering through the air? Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumblebees. And that is a mistake you don't want to make.
Identification
If you see a large, furry, black and yellow bee, you may want to take a second look. If the large bee you are looking at has a hind section that is entirely black, mostly hairless, and shiny, you're looking at a carpenter bee.
Why is it important to recognize carpenter bees when you see them?
Like carpenter ants, these insects can damage the wood of your home. They bore holes into wood and create tunneling that, if left untreated, can grow into a serious problem. This is because carpenter bee females (the ones that do the damage) will use old holes, and expand tunnels each year. While you don't have to worry too much about carpenter bees stinging you, the damage they can do to your property can be significant.
What does carpenter bee damage look like?
The damage from these bees often goes unnoticed until it is too late, because these bees go underneath the wood they intend to bore into and chew a tunnel upwards. So, the signs that a piece of wood has been compromised are easily missed. The first sign of carpenter bee damage may be a step breaking suddenly, resulting in personal injury or injury to someone else. It could be a collapse of a railing that causes a person to fall and hurt themselves. There are many hazards that can present themselves.
Can I take care of this problem myself?
Getting rid of carpenter bees is best left to professionals--and for good reasons. Improperly sealing holes can lead to more damage, and not dealing with this infestation appropriately can lead to continued frustration for years, or to unexpected injury.
If you're seeing carpenter bees around your property, Big Blue Bug can assist you in making sure you're safe. For more than 75 years, Big Blue Bug has been providing effective and responsible solutions to pest issues created by wood-damaging pests. That is one of the reasons we have a giant blue termite on top of our Providence, Rhode Island, offices.
While we weren't being serious when we thought it would be a funny idea to put a giant termite called Nibbles Woodaway on top of our building, we always take termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees seriously. When you need serious protection, you know you can always trust Big Blue Bug Solutions to get the job done right; and when it comes to carpenter bees - that is good news.
