Are all carpenter bees about 1/2 inch big?

GROUND BEES are a somewhat “generic” term used to describe a wide range of bees and wasps that nest in the ground. There are hundreds of species that nest in this location and though some can cause problems on or around the home, none can do damage like CARPENTER BEES. Remember, Carpenter Bees are literally drilling holes through siding, soffits and other exposed wood where they find it vulnerable. These holes are for nesting; the bees aren’t eating the wood.

Ground wasps and bees are actually nesting in the ground and even in cases where there are thousands of such nests, I’ve never seen it get so extreme that it poses a hazard to or undermines a structure. So even with the wide range of bee and wasp species that could be nesting in the ground, I think it’s safe to say very few if any might do damage to homes or other structures.

Regarding the size of carpenter bees; this does vary on region and species. Here in the United States, we have a few species which are most common. These range in size from 1/2″ to 1.5″. However, the most common adult males range from 3/4″ to 1″ and females of these common species will be slightly bigger.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Bumble Bee Control:  http://www.bugspray.com/articles99/bumblebees.html

Ground or Digger Wasp Control:  http://www.bugspray.com/articles99/diggerwasps.html

Carpenter Bee Control:  http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control

It would be helpful if you could send a photo. We get lots of questions on this problem and a good image could prove helpful at some time in the future.

Based on the time of year (spring), it’s quite common for people to see yellow stains on siding, windows and other areas of the home where carpenter bees are active. In most cases the stains are in fact carpenter bee feces. Pollen is their main food source and if nest access holes are close to the siding, many times their feces will fall directly onto some part of the house. The result is a yellow “streak” which can have some other colors mixed in. It sounds like this is what you’re seeing.

If you review our online CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article, you’ll learn the best way to treat nests is with some DRIONE DUST. If you aren’t able to see their nests, I suggest you take a little time to watch the area where you see the stains. If you sit long enough from mid morning to mid day, chances are high you’ll note some bees coming and going. If you see them you’ll no doubt learn their access points. Many times they’ll crawl through small cracks in the siding or around attic and soffit vents so I’m sure their nest is close to where you think it might be. Once identified, dust these passageways and you’ll stop that nest for sure. This treatment will work even if you cannot treat the nests directly.

To stop future nests from forming spray these same areas with the CYPERMETHRIN discussed in our article. It’s highly repellent to bees and wasps and will keep them off treated surfaces. They’ll immediately detect it’s presence and move away from your home. You may need to do a few treatments this spring but in general one or two is all that’s needed for the season.

Here are direct links to the information and products mentioned above:

Bee Article: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control

Drione Dust:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html

Cypermethrin: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html

You are right; carpenter bees will generally take advantage of exposed and vulnerable wood by drilling out holes in which to nest. However, they also recycle or use old holes from year to year without drilling new ones. It’s quite possible some bees have found the gap you described above and are treating it like an old nest. If it measures close to a carpenter bee nest in width and length. it could be just the right size to make them happy and content. I know of several wasps and bees that will readily move into such spaces and no doubt carpenter bees will if they find them.

Fortunately treatment would be easy. If you refer to our CARPENTER BEE ARTICLE, you’ll see we mention the use of dusts for treating their holes and nests. In this case, the PT-230 DUST would be ideal. One treatment should do the trick. Get them in the evening when they are sure to be inside the nest and simply stick the tube applicator of the dust in the hole and squeeze it on for 1-2 seconds. That will no doubt take care of the problem. I also recommend treating any other gaps you can see as they’re likely to be seen and used if left unprotected.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Carpenter Bee Control: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control

PT-230 Dust: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html

The quick answer is no, birds won’t feed on bees. I’m sure there is a specie of bird somewhere that will but in general, it’s not accepted or even known about as occurring to any extent that would have a significant impact. Having kept bird feeders over many years in many regions of the United States, I can assure you I’ve seen no cases where the presence of birds detracted or effectively repelled bees or wasps. In fact, I’ve seen the two live side by side many times. I’ve owned bird houses that been invested with bees. I’ve also been called out to treat many bee and wasp nests which were in bird houses! That’s right, wasp and bee nests in bird houses! It always amazed me how close the two can live without either seeming to care about the other and in none of these cases did I see birds getting stung or birds eating the bees. To me I’d say it’s more of a “birds don’t much notice the bees” relationship and not a prey/predator effect like you’d think.

That means if you wish to repel carpenter bees from your property after treating with DRIONE DUST, you’ll need to employ either the CYPERMETHRIN or the INSECT REPELLENT sprays we have listed in our CARPENTER BEE ARTICLE. Both will work; the Cypermethrin will be a true chemical they can’t stand and if they forage onto treated surfaces will in turn kill themselves. The Insect Repellent won’t kill anything but it does a decent job of repelling new insects like bees and wasps from coming around.

Here are direct links to the information and products mentioned above:

Drione:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html

Cypermethrin:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html

Insect Repellent:  http://www.bugspray.com/item/nbs_30_paint_additive_insect_repellent.html

Carpenter Bee Article:  http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control

Currently the best “additive” is the NBS INSECT REPELLENT we have listed in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE. It can be mixed with paint or stain and will provide 1-2 years of prolonged insect repellency action. It can also be mixed with water and sprayed on homes and plants as an insect repellent but not a pesticide; it won’t kill anything as it’s only for repelling pests. It’s proven effective for carpenter bees along with some other invasive insects so you should definitely include this for your upcoming paint job. However, I wouldn’t wait till that’s done as a lot of damage could happen between now and then!

Based on the time of year we’re at, I’d do a good dusting now to get rid of the ones that are active before you paint. Treat any nests with the  DRIONE DUST and it will shut them right down. Applying it every spring around the perimeter of my home does a great job of keeping them away the whole year. It seems as though wasps and bees like nesting where roof and gutters meet by soffits and eaves. These locations notoriously have gaps, a lot of moisture and a protected area (under the eave) which is an instinctive location most bees and wasps try to find when seeking nest sites. Using a DUSTICK, I’ve learned applying Drione to these areas does a great job of stopping most every insect that might try to invade. And getting it applied in the spring, before pests like carpenter bees establish themselves, seems to be important. As our video’s show, the Drione will permeate up into the shingles and gaps and essentially take away these locations as nest sites. And since these are protected from direct weathering, the dust can last several months making it real long term protection.

I also know some people prefer to spray because it’s easier to do compared to dusting. That’s when we tested and learned the CYPERMETHRIN does a good job when sprayed to these surface areas of repelling these bees. So if you aren’t willing to dust with the Drione, spraying the Cypermethrin once a month will do the job. But really the best way to handle this problem will be to dust now with the Drione and then use the Insect Repellent mixed with paint. Overall this combination will provide good results and require minimal applications.

Here are direct links to the information and products mentioned above:

http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/repellents/nbs-repellent-insect-spray

http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html

http://www.gotosprayer.com/dusters/long-reaching-dusters/dustick

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page259.html

jonathan

www.bugspray.com

Carpenter bees and wasps will commonly infest the same area of most any home. Log homes are ever more susceptible to these pests. The good news is that both can be controlled with the same products.

If you take some time to review our Wasp Control and Carpenter Bee Control articles, you’ll see both detail using Drione Dust. Apply this to the siding, soffits and any place where you see either pest. It will not only kill those that are nesting but it will keep them away for extended periods of time. Based on where you mentioned you’re seeing the activity, the use of a Dustick may be needed. Remember, log homes should be treated every spring and fall with the Drione to keep out all unwanted pests and a good dust applicator will last many years.

For extra protection, spray the siding with Cypermethrin. Both wasps and bees don’t like this material and will avoid treated surfaces. Use a good Pump Sprayer for the treatment and you should only have to do this 1-2 in the spring and then again in the fall to keep matters under control.