What Can I Do To Prevent Carpenter Bees In Blowing Rock, NC?

June 14, 2018

Most people can easily identify bumblebee around their property, but what about the other, lesser-known “bees” that can be found in North Carolina? The carpenter bee is one of the most common bees found in this area, particularly in the mountainous community of Blowing Rock. These bees have the potential to cause serious property damage and can become quite a problem for North Carolina homeowners and residents.

Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumble bees, but there are distinct differences between the two. These bees do not have a hairy abdomen; instead, their underside is shiny and black. These bees are large, usually ranging from .5 to 1.5 inches long. Unlike bumble bees, carpenter bees are unlikely to sting. In fact, the male carpenter bees are unable to sting, yet they are the ones most often noticed by humans. They hover around their nest and are very protective of their territory. The females have the ability to sting, but they usually don’t; females carpenter bees will only sting when extremely provoked.

What makes these bees so troublesome for homeowners in the Blowing Rock area? Carpenter bees are attracted to untreated and unpainted wood, and they especially like softwood. They make holes in wood to create nests for them to lay their eggs in. This particular area is surrounded by an abundance of trees that are neither treated nor painted; these bees don’t just stop at trees, however — they often invade the wooden foundation of homes, as well. Signs that your home has been invaded by carpenter bees include: holes in the wood of your home that are about 1/2 of an inch around, piles of sawdust, and yellow staining near the holes from the bees fecal matter. Fortunately, carpenter bees do not feed on the wood like termites; however, they still weaken the integrity of the wooden structure of the home with their nesting behaviors. One of the biggest problems with carpenter bees is that they are creatures of habit, and will often come back to the same place to nest every year.

To avoid carpenter bees in your Blowing Rock, North Carolina, there are a few things that you can do. First, make sure that all of the wood on your property, such as decks and sheds, are treated, painted, or stained. You can also use hardwood as opposed to softwood. The most successful preventative step that homeowners can take to avoid carpenter bees is to contact A-1 Pest Control, the local pest control professionals. We have been protecting homes in this area from pests for over 50 years and know exactly what it takes to eliminate and prevent carpenter bees from your home. Our Home Shield Plus Protection pan offers year-round services, free re-treatments, and a free inspection. We offer interior and exterior services and will target the areas where carpenter bees are most likely to invade. At A-1 Pest Control, we understand the power of prevention and are ready to help protect the residents of Blowing Rock from carpenter bees today!