For several years i have had carpenter bees in my mail box post. do the offspring come back to the same nest as their parents?
why are these insects SO aggressive? do they sting??
If you read our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article, you'll learn in the spring the males are seeking females and tend to be aggressive. Fortunately they don't have stingers so you don't have to worry. Our article also details just what you think; they do come back to reuse old nests. Whether it's a smell they detect or just a great place to make a nest; once you have some nests on or around the building, it's likely they'll keep returning unless you treat the area.
I suggest you dust any nests you can find with some DRIONE. Spraying with CYPERMETHRIN will also keep them away if you don't see any nests. And be sure to do a good inspection around the house so you aren't missing any damage that might be happening where it could really matter. A slow walk around your property in the middle of the day should show any if they're present so it won't be hard to tell.
Here are direct links to the information and products mentioned above:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
jonathan
Filed under nest site by 
I just went up in my attic and noticed several large bees walking around on a window, along with some dead on the floor. From the outside, it appears they may be getting in under the roof. When would be the best time to go up there to investigate? I have small children and I do not want the bees coming into our home.
If you review our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, you'll learn these bees bore through wood to create their nests. It's not uncommon for nests to get "plugged up" with too many bees forcing them to drill new exit holes as explained in this post:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/inside-home/finding-carpenter-bees-in-bathroom.html
In most cases one of the situations described above is what causes some to end up inside the home for sure. Though not the best of situations, be thankful this is happening into the attic and not the main living spaces. And as the above post explains, this should only go on for another week or two before they'll all emerge and be done. Once this spring release happens, you'll have some time to treat the area to make sure the problem doesn't get any worse over the summer.
As for when to do the treatment? I say anytime after 2 weeks from when you first noticed them. I say this because if you treat now, chances are likely any others still not emerged will definitely be forced into the home. To avoid this from happening, wait a bit. Next, a good dusting round the gutters, eaves, where the roof shingles hang over the gutters and up under any siding you have on the home would be a good way to treat the problem and keep it under control. As explained in our article, the DRIONE DUST will not only kill what's there but it's light "floating" action will surely penetrate enough of the shingles and any voids behind it to make the entire area unliveable by these bees. Be sure to use it all around the house too as it works well on wasps and other invasive pests. You might need a DUSTICK to reach the roof line but one treatment done every spring and fall will keep any house bee and wasp free so it's well worth the cost and effort.
Here are links to the information and products mentioned above:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1406.html
jonathan
Filed under inside home by
Hello, I live in Quantico VA, on my back deck these HUGE bees just hover and buzz and they scare me as well as my kids. I don't know where they are coming from. How can I keep them off my deck so that we can sit outside? Is it true if you spray almond oil on the wood they will stay away? Will they do this all summer? I am really really scared of them…..what should/can I do????
As explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, these are most likely male and female bees. Females are typically looking for places to make nests this time of year. Males are usually seeking females. Both will tend to be active close to where nests already exist and as our article explains, the problem will get worse and worse from year to year.
At this point you should see if you have existing nests that need to be dusted as explained in our article. If no nests can be seen, spraying with CYPERMETHRIN will keep them away. Alternatively spraying with the NBS INSECT REPELLENT can work too. Cypermethrin is a true pesticide and will kill them if they try to make nests or linger too long on treated surfaces. NBS is only plant oils and works a repellent only and not a pesticide so it's the safest option that can help. Forget Almond Oil as it tends to attract other insects like ants and roaches and many times will lead to far worse problems. If you're looking for something organic, the NBS is the product to use.
Here are direct links to the information and products mentioned above:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/repellents/nbs-repellent-insect-spray
jonathan
Filed under wood deck by
I have found 4 carpenter bees i n my bathroom today. 1 alive, 1 on the ground but still moving and 2 dead ones. I live in an older apartment complex. I do not have any idea where they are coming from. I cannot locate any kind of whole in the wood. Is there a treatment that i can use so I do not have to live with bees in my bathroom?
There is no practical way for you stop unwanted bee activity in your bathroom or any part of your apartment for that matter. But don't fret; this would be an equal problem for in any structure meaning the same thing could happen in a free standing home, a work office, etc. In most cases, there is one of two scenarios that's "playing out".
As explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, these boring bees drill into wood to make nests. These nests harbor both larvae and adults throughout the winter. Come springtime, they'll all try to emerge. If the old entrance hole is still open, they'll generally emerge and most people will never notice the activity. But in some cases homes are painted, trim work around a structure is sealed and when this work is done, entry/exit holes are sometimes sealed. When this happens, the bees cannot use their normal routes of passage. To get around this, they'll drill new exit pathways and sometimes this leads to them getting inside. This would be one of the scenarios that could be happening.
The second is that if the original nest isn't built just right it can sometimes force young bees to emerge in the wrong direction. Nest which have separate egg chambers will allow emerging young a free path when they choose to come out. But nests with a single tunnel will get "stacked" with eggs and adults. There can sometimes be 5-10 bees all in a row which effectively creates a traffic jam through which none can pass or exit. If the bee in the middle is a female and she can't get out when her time to emerge arrives, she'll drill a new hole to escape. Sometimes these holes end up leading inside the structure. And once that hole is created, other bees will use the same path over the course of the next season.
At this point I'm guessing one of the two scenarios I've described is the reason you're seeing them inside your bathroom. Unfortunately there isn't a lot you can do for now. The good news is it shouldn't last long. Generally all the bees will emerge in 1-4 weeks. But if the outside area where the nest originated is allowed to breed new bees with new nests, there could be more problems for you down the road. For now, I'd keep my eyes on the outside areas to see if you can locate any activity. If you find some, be sure to let management know. The last thing they need is for bees coming inside someone's apartment that is severely allergic to bee stings. If you make a point to educate them about the nests or about sealing up nests without treating which in turn leads to someone getting stung and injured, my guess is they could have a lawsuit on their hands so I'm sure they'll want to listen to what you have to say and handle it appropriately. But the key here is you need to find the activity where they're entering. Find the activity and you should be able to solve the long term problem and not have them entering anymore after this season if the right treatments are done.
Here is a direct link to our article on this bee:
Filed under inside home by
How long do carpenter bees live?
On average about one year. Here is the "expected" life cycle from start to finish.
Eggs are laid late spring to early summer in nests drilled out in dead wood. Nests may contain several eggs. Soon after being laid they'll hatch and feed on pollen for a month or two before pupating to adults.
In late summer they'll emerge as adults and spend the remainder of the year hunting for pollen. As fall turns to winter both males and females will hibernate till the following spring. They will use pre existing nests to hibernate and these nests will many times house several bees. Once it's warm enough the following spring, they'll emerge from their nests seeking fresh pollen and a mate. Soon after mating males will begin to die and females will both fill pre existing nests with new eggs as well as drill out new nests following their instinctive behavior to expand the local population. Females will live long enough to lay her eggs and maybe even most of the summer but usually not two winters.
As explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, they'll commonly use the same nest over and over which is why nests on structures need to be dusted and sealed. Failure to fend them off when you first see activity will usually lead to more and more coming around.
Hope this answers your question!
jonathan
Filed under bee life by
I have read your articles and viewed the videos. The bees here have been active for about 1 week. The problem is that the area they are drilling in is not visible. I know where they are going in. The board that holds the little screens under the eves is separtaed from the board holding the gutters. There is about a 1/2 gap. What is the best way to treat?
If you review the post we made here on bees getting up under siding:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/house-siding/bees-under-wood-siding.html
you'll learn that "blind treating" is Okay when using a dust like DRIONE. As explained in our Drione Video , the unique qualities of this product enable it to float around and penetrate large areas. When applied to a gap like you're describing, it will undoubtedly get to where it's needed. By lightly covering all the surface area in the void, foraging bees will quickly pick up the dust and die. In most situations, they'll be dead in less than a week.
After you're sure all the activity has stopped, it would be wise to get this gap sealed to prevent bees (and other pests) from taking advantage of this vulnerable spot.
Here are direct links to the products and information mentioned above.
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
jonathan
Filed under gap treatments by
We are plagued with carpenter bees on our back deck each year. If we spray the holes do we then need to seal them up to be sure they don't come back? If so, what's the best thing to fill them with?
Thanks.
I suggest you review our online article on CARPENTER BEE CONTROL. There you'll learn that simply "spraying" their nests won't work. You must treat with a long lasting dust like the DRIONE and then seal the holes with 1/2" CORKS so the dust lasts long enough to kill the entire colony.
In the article you'll also learn spraying with the CYPERMETHRIN is the best way to prevent new nests from being drilled. I use this annually to stop them drilling my deck and 2 treatments is all most people will have to do per season.
Lastly, add some NBS PAINT/STAIN ADDITIVE the next time you paint your deck and this will save the effort of having to spray as it will last 1-2 years.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page257.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
http://www.bugspray.com/item/nbs_30_paint_additive_insect_repellent.html
jonathan
wwwbugspray.com
Filed under wood deck by
I have a swarm of these large bees flying around our deck. How do I get rid of them?
Read through our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE for starters. In the article you'll learn the treatments needed. If you have nests you'll need to dust them with the DRIONE. If they are only flying around the deck a good spraying with the CYPERMETHRIN will stop the activity and should protect the wood from further attacks.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
jonathan www.bugspray.comFiled under wood bees by
I've been finding what I thought were giant bumble bees, but after doing some research I believe they are carpenter bees. I read your article but still have questions.
I keep finding these bees in my living room which is in the front of my house, and I think they are coming in through the mail slot, which currently does not have a cover. I've since developed a fear of these bees, because I don't know where they keep coming from, plus their size is rather intimidating. The sound they make is rather loud and slightly frightening also.
My question, my home is made of redwood, through and through – it was constructed in the 1800's. Do carpenter bees, like termites, not like redwood, or should I look for a possible nest? Is there any wood that these bees will not 'eat'?
Here is the answer to your easy question "is there any wood that these bees will not 'eat'?" The answer (and not to be facetious) is all wood. That's right, carpenter bees don't eat the wood, they actually bore into it looking to create nests but they're not eating it. As explained in our CARPENTERBEE CONTROL ARTICLE, these nests can go several feet deep with multiple egg chambers and lots of activity. And though they tend to avoid or "miss" some species of wood, I've seen them bore into most everything including redwood. Cedar, poplar, oak, redwood and just about every species you can name I've seen them attack. The rule is simple; if man has used it in some shape or form to build things and there is some portion of it vulnerable to insects, something will take advantage of the offering. Redwood is no exception to this rule and in this case the attacking insect sounds like carpenter bees.
The second question regarding a nest; I would say a good inspection is in order. I would say one of two things has happened regardless of the species. Now if it's carpenter bees (and you should be able to tell by watching one of our CARPENTER BEE VIDEO'S if this is the species you see), it's most likely there is a nest somewhere on the outside of the structure which got sealed up last year. Is it possible you did some painting or sealing to the exterior? If so, any nest entrance or exit holes that were sealed could be forcing the emerging young to enter the home. We get this reported all the time. But carpenter bees also like to nest up under siding, inside cracks and crevices, and sometimes this nesting will lead them into the home even though they aren't really "boring" like one normally sees. This can also happen with other species of bees or wasps. Regardless of the species, the end result is usually the same: unwanted pests in the house!
To stop this from happening, I recommend a good inspection outside with the intent being to locate where anything is active. If you find activity, such as some hanging around some plants or one side of the house, I would suspect this to be a hot spot and a good place to concentrate your effort for now. Any nests found in this area should be treated with DRIONE. If you can't find any live nests, be sure to spray the area with the CYPERMETHRIN to help chase and repel them from the area. These treatments will keep them from boring new nests or using some void or space for a nest on the home. If this was the area which led to the problem you currently have, the treatments should stop this from happening again next year and your problem should be resolved.
Here are direct links to all the information and products mentioned:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-videos
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
jonathan www.bugspray.comFiled under red wood by
I live in NC if that makes a difference; I don't know. We have huge wood eating bees that buzz around our smoke house all day. There is a pile of wood dust from were they been eating at the wood on the side of the shed. So far they have not bit any one. We moved here from NH a yr. ago and never seen bees like this. They let you get close to them and they do not try to land on you but it is scary when you are in the shed and they come in. We tried different insect sprays and I even caught a few and stepped on them but there are so many. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Sounds like carpenter bees. I suggest you read our online CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article. After reading it you'll learn what you need to do if you wish to treat the existing nests and what to spray to keep new ones away. If you still have questions give us a call. Given that it's spring, this problem will remain active for another few months unless treated.
jonathan www.bugspray.comFiled under wood bees by
I have huge bumble bees – I guess that's what they are. I have wood siding on my house and every year these stupid bees come in droves and bore holes in my wood. Not to mention they annoy me and my dog. I don't have any idea where their nest is to get them there. Anything I can effectively treat them with? I've tried regular bee sprays and WD-40, but that only kills them one at a time. It doesn't get rid of them in mass amounts. Thanks!
You actually have carpenter bees. To learn how to properly control them, you'll need to first read our online article which explains everything in great detail. In the article you'll learn about the dust you need to treat the nest directly and then the spray required to stop new nests from being drilled. If you still have questions, give us a call at 1-800-877-7290.
The article can be found here:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
jonathan www.bugspray.comFiled under wood bees by
I am paying a local pest control company almost 1000 per year to treat for Carpenter Bees. Is there something I can do myself?
Absolutely. First, read through our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article. All you need to learn is covered. From the article you'll learn if you'll need to dust or just spray. Dusting is required for existing nests and the spraying is what you should do to keep them away for good.
Lastly, be sure to get some NBS PAINT ADDITIVE to use with the stain or paint on the exterior of the cabin the next time it's applied. NBS does a great job of adhering to the coating and can repel much longer than the spray.
jonathan www.bugspray.comFiled under log cabin by
We have just discovered carpenter bees in my daughters wooden swing set. The wooden brace that runs up the slide has several holes. One of them has a great big mama bee staring back at me. What is my plan of attack? How do I kill them/flush them out without getting stung? And how do I keep them from just moving on to a new section of swing set once I treat the current holes? The weather has FINALLY gotten nice and my 4 year old really wants to be on her swing set….help!
If you take some time to read through our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article, you'll learn exactly what you need to do. A quick dusting with some DRIONE will take care of them instantly. Plug up the hole 1 day later with some of our 1/2" CORKS and you'll be done with that nest for sure. If you only have 10 or less nests to treat, a can of the PT-230 (aerosol version of Drione seen on the DRIONE page) will be enough to do the job.
To keep them away, spray the entire swing set with CYPERMETHRIN. Treatments should last 2-4 weeks and are easy to apply using any standard PUMP SPRAYER.
Organic options include the DE DUST in place of the Drione and some BUG PATROL in place of the Cypermethrin. Neither will last as long so expect to do an extra application or two but they will handle the problem.
Here are direct links:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page257.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
http://www.gotosprayer.com/sprayers
http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/dust/mothers-earth-diatomaceous-dust
http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/concentrates/bug-patrol-rts
jonathan www.bugspray.com 1-800-877-7290Filed under wood bees by
there was i bee in the sheets of my bed and my husband got stung on his leg. Now my question is are they always in packs, if i see one do i have to worry about another one being where around? i also have a son that is very allergic to bees and he sleeps in the same room do i have to worry about a bee being in his sheets too? also can i go back to sleep in my bed or do i have to worry that there is going to be another bee there? Im very sorry for all the qustion ii just want to know if my family is safe both me and my son is allergic and im scared. Should i call pest control?
The first thing I'd like to know just what kind of bee you found in your bed. Do you think it was a carpenter bee? If so, it was most likely leaving an existing nest which is what most do this time of year. One can never tell how many more times this might happen unless you know you have several nests. As explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, these nests will commonly lead to them getting inside the home if not treated properly the year before. In fact, this post discusses this exact problem happening to someone that closed up some holes in their sunroom:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bees/bees-getting-in-sunroom.html
Now if you are able to see a lot of bee activity outside the home at this time, determining the kind of bee which is active will then enable you to find out how to treat the nest. It's still early spring and my guess is you either had a rogue adult carpenter bee emerge inside and most likely you won't see anymore. But if you know there is a history of them being outside the home, either treating or hiring a service company to take care of any nest locations would be warranted to insure no one else gets stung.
In summary, if you learn you have some other bee or wasp and not carpenter bees, go to our main site www.bugspray.com and choose the species you've identified for more information on what will be needed to treat local infestations. At that time you can either hire a service company or get the products we have listed and do the treatment yourself. Of course you can always call us to discuss the problem too.
jonathan www.bugspray.com 1-800-877-7290Filed under bees by
I live in East Tawas MI, last year I had new windows put in last year and then I would have what appeared to be
carpenter bees showing up in my sunroom, I would have to let them out the window, I can never see
where they are coming from but every day I would have at least one show up.
I did spray the deck, however I do not know where the nest is and it would be virtually impossible to
see under the deck. I am wondering what I can do now as I do not want these in the house.
Should I go ahead and spray a couple of times, if I could plug the hole where they are getting into the
house that would be ideal.
Any suggestions or ideas appreciated.
If you take some time to review our online article on CARPENTER BEE CONTROL, you'll learn that each spring the developing young will start emerging from nests which were active the preceding year. If the nest entrance/exit holes were plugged up somehow or now are blocked and no longer usable, the emerging bees will find alternative pathways to get out and go about their business as they do each spring. I suspect this could be happening in your sunroom based on the limited information you've provided.
Unfortunately, stopping the bees will be difficult without knowing their pathways. I have seen two common scenarios that seem to happen a lot with such problems: 1) The old holes were plugged during a paint job/construction project and the exiting bees are drilling new pathways out of their old nests or 2) the bees are able to exit their old nests but cannot get to "free air pathways" as they are now trapped in some wall or ceiling void. After following what they either sense or see as a way "out", they're actually entering your home and not the outside air space.
The scenarios listed above are quite common. I've dealt with hundreds of such problems and really there is no easy fix. Leaving the windows open generally isn't practical but if you're able to contain them in the sunroom during the day and then let them out all at once when you know there are 1 or more active in the room, this could be a temporary solution. But as far as treating is concerned; just what is it you feel you can treat? Without knowing the hole location they're using you would effectively be aiming blindly with any application and this is not a "smart" way to do any kind of pest control.
In summary I would say to wait it out. Most carpenter bee nests will only consist of 3-9 bees. With any luck, they'll all emerge in the next 1-3 weeks as spring develops and it warms up. The real key will be to prevent future nesting. This can be done using the CYPERMETHRIN we have listed in the article. And if you discover some live active holes that are either old or new, treat them with the DRIONE and then plug them up. This will shut them down for sure and prevent any such pattern next spring.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html
http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
jonathan
Filed under carpenter bees by
