Carpenter Bees

I nailed up a pine board on the house as a temporary soffit, planning to begin a larger renovation soon after. I don't like house renovations very much and found lots of other projects to keep me busy. Ten years since I nailed that board in place, a leaky roof and new bathroom plan forced me back on task. One strike of the hammer and I was bombarded by mad bees. Buzzing my face like kamikaze fighter pilots I swatted at bees all day. I knew carpenter bees were present on that side of the house, but I was surprised by not only the number of bees, but how that pine board resembled swiss cheese. Cousins to honeybees and bumble bees, carpenter bees are important pollinators for not only native plants but cultivated crops including blueberries. Rarely aggressive, they are attracted to fast moving objects and often buzz your head and hover near your face. Docile by nature, females can sting but are more likely to bite when handled. Males lack stingers but like to act tough. Carpenter bees do not eat wood, they bore tunnels or galleries to lay their eggs and hibernate during the winter. Entrance holes measure approximately half an inch in diameter and turn sharply, extending several inches into the wood. Females excavate side tunnels and cells where they lay one egg per cell filling it with nectar and pollen before sealing it up. Males hover near the nest defending their territory. Larvae hatch in the summer, mature, and fly out to forage before overwintering in the galleries. Preferring unpainted or weathered softwood, carpenter bees can cause cosmetic and structural damage if left unchecked. Off-the shelf or homemade traps can be effective but data suggests more males than females are lured into traps which does little to solve the problem. Adults can be captured with nets or knocked down with a tennis racket or ball cap. Insecticides labeled for carpenter bees are available in spray, foam, and dust form. Follow all safety precautions and apply per the label. Apply insecticides in early spring, mid-summer, and again in early fall. After successful treatment seal holes with carpenter's glue and dowel rods. Do not plug holes without an effective insecticide treatment, they will just chew themselves a new back door. Pressure treated lumber is not immune to carpenter bees nor are stained decks or cabins. Plug and paint exposed wood, or cover with vinyl or other impervious siding. Woodpeckers knocking around for a carpenter bee breakfast can do as much or more damage to structures, but are good for identifying problem areas for treatment. Keep your hat handy the next few weeks.