Thank you!

It’s most likely you have carpenter bees. You can read all about them in our Carpenter Bee Control ARTICLE. There you’ll find control methods listed. Basically you’ll need to dust their holes with drione and spray the wood with CYPERMETHRIN to prevent new nests from being drilled. The process is easy and well explained in the article.

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

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

drione:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/dust/drione-dust

Cypermethrin:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin

When bees start entering the living space of a home there is always an initial feeling of panic. But panic won’t fix anything so first calm down and try to get an understanding of what might be happening so you can address the problem in a logical manner. First and foremost, the big key to solving the problem is trying to locate how they’re entering. The second key is identifying the species and then employing proven methods for keeping them off the home so this doesn’t happen again in future. So for now, lets look what we know.

At this point it’s early winter and when bees are found in the home during this time, they’ll usually be in a semi dormant stage like you’re describing. I would say the word you used – “sluggish” – is right on the mark.  It also sounds like you’ve identified at least one route of entry. I know my attic is accessible through a staircase that drops down from the ceiling and if I pull it down in the winter, I’ll commonly find 1-2 wasps in the area. Most of the time they’re dead but that’s because the stairs fits very tight to the ceiling so they can’t escape. If your attic access point has any cracks they’ll get through. So for starters, you might want to see how you can seal it up better to help keep them out.

But sealing this port isn’t really solving the problem. To do this you need to consider what’s happening and based on the time of year, I’d say you most likely have a nest somewhere on the home. CARPENTER BEES, BUMBLE BEES and HONEY BEES are three common species which nest in homes. All of these will harbor adults throughout the winter and when nests are in wall or ceiling voids, they’ll be so close to the warmth of the living space that many will try to enter. This happens when nests are in attic spaces  as well and the insulation found in most any home is a great location for a nest to form.

Since you suspect these bees are entering from the attic, I’d start by treating the area with some DELTAMETHRIN DUST. This product is like baby powder and when distributed using a DUSTIN MIZER, it will blanket the insulation throughout the space making it tough for any insect to live. Plus it lasts a long time, like 6-12 months, and is ideally suited for this area. If done properly, any activity in the attic will be shut down and if you only have a hibernating bee problem, it will go away and you’ll be done with it. But if you have Honey Bees or Carpenter Bees, you’ll probably have to pay careful attention next spring and summer to the area around the roof line of your house to see if you can locate where they’re nesting. And if you do find activity in these warm months, you’ll need to address what will most likely be a nest using one of the methods listed in our articles.

In summary, you most likely have a hibernating species of bee living in your attic which is seeking the warmth of your living space as the cold of winter sets in. This commonly happens and in some cases it’s just 1-2 but in others I’ve seen 50-100 filter in so there is no telling how many you might have up there. Regardless, a good dusting with the Deltamethrin will take care of the problem and should keep the living space free from bees. Next spring and summer you’ll need to watch the exterior of the home carefully to try and see if there are any active nests on or in the structure which will need a followup treatment. Controlling such a nest will be critical for keeping them out of the living spaces down the road.

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

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

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

Honey Bee Article:  http://www.bugspray.com/article/honeybees.html

Deltamethrin Dust:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page526.html

Dustin Mizer: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page843.html

If you read our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, you’ll learn they don’t typically attack. In fact, only the female can sting and it would be quite unusual for you to encounter more than one at a time. I’m actually thinking you might have BUMBLE BEES, which closely resemble Carpenter Bees, and are more likely to sting in numbers. The good news is regardless of which species you actually have, both can be treated by dusting the column with the DRIONE DUST and a HAND DUSTER we have featured in our carpenter bee article.

At this point I suggest you observe the column from afar to see where the bees are entering their nest. If it’s carpenter bees, there will be holes drilled which are most likely being used for nests. This would explain the sawdust you found. But I have seen Bumble Bees use such columns for nesting and I’ve even seen bumble bees use carpenter bee holes as a way to enter the void so again, it could be either. Many times the wood used to make these columns isn’t that thick and when carpenter bees drill, they will inadvertently drill all the way through a piece and end up abandoning the hole altogether. Carpenter bees don’t like holes that empty out into an empty space but bumble bees love this. And bumble bees typically like to use small holes as a way to enter a nest cavity so this might be what you have going on in your column. But it really doesn’t matter; if you dust the hole with Drione, you’ll surely get either species. And all it will take is 3-5 squirts of the Drione. In most cases the nest will shut down in a day if it’s hit thoroughly. Now if you see activity a day after you treat, that means you didn’t use enough and will need to dust again.

Now if you can’t find an entrance hole, it’s entirely possible the bees are entering the column via a small gap or crack in the frame. I’ve seen this happen many times; even though both bees are seemingly “thick”, they can slide into some tight cracks. In these cases, dusting the entire gap will yield the same results as treating a specific hole. It will require more product and more effort to make sure you get them all but in the end, the Drione will render the nest useless.

Lastly, the best time to treat will be in the evening, close to dark, to insure the bees are both back at the nest and not active. This will help reduce the chance of confrontation and being stung.

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

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

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

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

Hand Duster:  http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page258.html

I strongly suspect what you’re seeing are in fact carpenter bees and not bumble bees. If you take some time to read our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, you’ll learn all about this species which is very different from bumble bees.

One thing you’ll learn in the article is the ones you’re seeing are most likely males waiting on females. I’m saying this because seeing them tumble fight in mid air is very common this time of year. To repel them, you’ll have to spray with either the CYPERMETHRIN or the INSECT REPELLENT. A good dose of either on the porch up around the eve where you mostly see them should repel them from the area.

Here are direct links for this information and products mentioned above:

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

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

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

If you read through our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, you’ll learn the DRIONE DUST should only be applied directly to the nests you see. Once applied, the holes should be sealed with the CORKS we have listed. If done properly, there will be no Drione out in the open so that means there won’t be any risk or danger to your honey and bumble bees.

However, you won’t be able to spray the CYPERMETHRIN as this concentrate would pose a hazard to your bees. This is the material listed in the article for chasing away bees and is used to stop them from drilling into exposed wood. However, the INSECT REPELLENT we have in the article can be used. It’s not a pesticide and should be used as a spray on any wood you’d like to protect from further carpenter bee damage. And though the honey and bumble bees won’t like the treatment odor, they won’t be in any danger from it. They too will avoid where it’s been applied but will still produce honey and pollinate your flowers as before.

Here are direct links for 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/page257.html

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

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

jonathan

www.bugspray.com

As explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE, male and female bees come out of winter hibernation and get real active real fast every spring as it warms up. Females are looking for a place to drill their nests and males are looking for females. If you’re seeing a lot of bees hovering around, they’re probably the males looking for a mate. The good news is they don’t sting since they don’t have a stinger. The bad news is you most likely have a nest or nests close by if there are males around and a good inspection and/or treatment might be needed.

To start, see if you can locate any nests like we describe in our article and show you in our video’s. If found, be sure to dust them with DRIONE DUST mentioned in our article. Now if you can’t find any nests and suspect you only have males flying around, you can deter and repel them by making some liquid treatments to the house and shrubs with our CYPERMETHRIN or NBS INSECT REPELLENT. Remember, the Cypermethrin is a true pesticide and will kill insects that choose to land on treated surfaces. The NBS is not an insecticide; it’s only an insect repellent and won’t kill a thing. Focus your treatments on the sides of the home where the activity is mostly concentrated and either product should keep the unwanted activity minimized.

As for the holes in the yard; I doubt they’re from bumble bees. Digger bees or wasps are mostly likely emerging and leaving these exit holes but again, a good inspection will tell you if they’re active or not. If you definitely see bees or wasps going in and out throughout the day, I suggest you review our DIGGER BEE ARTICLE. In the article you’ll learn about a LAWN GRANULE that can be applied to the turf where you see activity. Get this product down in the problem areas and then spray over the top with the Cypermethrin mentioned above. This should shut down all the activity out in the turf and both kill what’s active and keep foraging bees away.

In summary, a good liquid treatment to the house and shrubs will chase away unwanted bee activity. Use either the Cypermethrin or NBS depending on whether you want to repel or kill the targeted nuisance insects. Any nests found should be dusted with Drione since the liquid spray won’t affect those with active homes already established. For the yard, some granules and spray over the top will get rid of any unwanted activity in the dirt. If done right, the property will be safe and bee free within a week or two of the initial treatments and your granddaughter will be able to go outside and play without any worry of getting stung.

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

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

http://www.bugspray.com/articles99/diggerwasps.html

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1271.html

jonathan

www.bugspray.com

Carpenter bees, like many other bee species, serve us and the environment by pollinating plants. They feed on pollen and while collecting their food they cross pollinate plants which in turn enables the plants to reproduce and propagate. However, the vast amount of carpenter bees (99%+)  exist in the wild and not on our homes. This means the ones which invade our homes won’t be missed if we decide to kill them. In other words, you don’t have to worry about controlling the bees actively boring out and drilling holes in your home. Dust all the holes you see with the DRIONE DUST for quick control. Next, seal the treatment with the 1/2″ CORKS and the nest will be shut down. All the details are nicely explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL ARTICLE and you should read through it prior to treating so you understand just what this bee is all about.

Lastly, spray the surface of any exposed wood with CYPERMETHRIN to repel and keep away new activity. Doing this every spring 1-2 will usually keep them away for good. But for the spray to work properly, you must first dust the nests with the Drione.

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

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

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page257.html

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

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

jonathan

www.bugspray.com

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

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

My first thought is whether or not you actually have bumble bees. Their nests are only now just developing but typically you don’t see a lot of mature nests till late in the summer. That means to have the same bumble bee finding her way into your sun room over and over would be odd and not likely statistically. This fact leads me to believe it could be another type of bee.

Carpenter bees are bees that drill or chew through wood and love to live in decks. Since you have a deck in close proximity to the sunroom, I’m thinking you might actually have a carpenter bee nest that has drilled holes all the way through to the sunroom. If one hole has an exit into the sunroom, it would explain why you keep seeing them in there. They have no idea they are entering the sunroom; they would only know they are using a part of their nest and in advertently exit it and cannot find the exit hole so you see them. At this time here is what I suggest.

First, review our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article. In the article you can see a female carpenter bee close up as well as learn she has an abdomen which is shiny and metallic unlike a bumble bee which is hairy all over it’s body. Since you are seeing these bees so often, you should notice is they are metallic or shiny on the lower half of their body. This clue should tell you just which species you are seeing.

If you discover they are really carpenter bees, there will be two things you should do. First, go outside and try to learn where they have created nests. Treat these nests with DRIONE as explained in our article and seal the nests with CORKS. Next, on the sunroom side, do a good inspection to see if you can find a small entry hole they may be using to gain access to the sunroom. As you can see in the article, this hole would be almost 1/2″ wide and very smooth, like it was made with a hand drill. If you find such a hole, seal it and your problem should be easy to resolve.

Alternatively you may be able to learn for sure that you have bumble bees and if that is the case, the only way you would have them entering over and over would be if they are using some part of the deck for a nest which has access to the sunroom. Again, you’ll need to find their nest but as you will learn in our BUMBLE BEE CONTROL article, their nests are typically under flat objects like wood and not in wood like carpenter bees make them. If you spend some time outside observing the area in the morning after the sun has risen, you should be able to find some bee activity which might reveal exactly where this location is on the house. At that point you could apply some DELTAMETHRIN DUST to the entrance ways and get quick control.