How Carpenter Bees Can Threaten Your Property

Serving Long Island | Nassau County | Suffolk County

When large bees hover near your porch or wooden trim in Long Island, they are likely carpenter bees. These bees are most active in spring and are often spotted around decks, eaves, and railings. While they live alone and rarely show aggression, their presence is easy to notice. Even though males cannot sting and females only do so when threatened, their wood-boring behavior can cause lasting damage and create openings for future infestations.

When it comes to carpenter bees, Arrow Exterminating knows what to do. Our team identifies their presence, removes them, and provides lasting protection for your property.

The Real Impact of Carpenter Bee Damage

When carpenter bees repeatedly bore into your home’s wood year after year, the damage can become lasting. Small entry holes can soon turn into major structural problems. Here’s what their activity can lead to:

Visible Wood Damage: The tunnels carved by carpenter bees often appear as short dashes, dots, or shallow trenches on wood surfaces. Unlike termites, these bees don’t stay hidden and frequently leave their entry points exposed.
Compromised Support Beams: Carpenter bees boring into support beams gradually weaken the wood’s strength and stability. If ignored, this can lead to warping, bending, or even structural collapse. Fortunately, warning signs usually appear before the damage becomes severe.
Distinct Entry Holes: One of the clearest signs of carpenter bee activity is perfectly round holes about the size of a nickel. These openings are often found in rafters, under decks, or other wooden areas where the bees begin tunneling.
Damaged Steps: When carpenter bees nest inside wooden steps, they can weaken the structure over time, eventually causing it to break. Like weakened railings, this increases the risk of falls and injuries.
Weakened Railings: Tunneling by carpenter bees can strip the wood of its integrity in porch or balcony railings. Over time, this damage can cause the railings to loosen or collapse, creating a potential safety hazard.

Suspect carpenter bees in or around your home? Contact a bee, wasp, and hornet exterminator right away. Our team uses the latest, proven methods to eliminate carpenter bees and safeguard your property. We respond quickly when you call.

Tips for Identifying Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are frequently confused with bumblebees due to their similar size and shape. Both have sturdy bodies and fuzzy black heads, but the key difference is in the abdomen. While bumblebees are completely covered in hair, carpenter bees have shiny, hairless abdomens that reflect light. These visual cues make it easier to identify carpenter bees if you know what to look for.

These bees are attracted to untreated or exposed wood, making decks, porches, and fences common nesting sites. They bore straight into the wood before turning along the grain to create smooth, hidden tunnels. Because they tunnel directly into wood rather than forming external hives, carpenter bees can weaken structures and lead to costly repairs. Over time, repeated infestations can cause serious structural issues.

The Common Warning Signs of Carpenter Bees

Homeowners should stay alert for signs of carpenter bee activity. These bees often leave visible holes and markings in wood, making it easier to detect their presence. Early detection can prevent costly repairs. Watch for these common warning signs:

Fan-Shaped Marks: Semi-circular or fan-like patterns surrounding the entrance holes are a clear sign of carpenter bee activity. These marks often indicate where the bees have started boring into the wood.
Internal Sounds: You might hear faint scratching or buzzing noises coming from inside the wood, which signals that carpenter bees are actively nesting within. These sounds can help pinpoint hidden infestations.
Wood Shavings: Sawdust or small wood fragments often accumulate on the ground or nearby surfaces directly below the entry holes. This debris is a common indicator of ongoing carpenter bee activity.
Visible Holes: Small, round holes about half an inch in diameter appear in untreated wood, marking the areas where bees have begun tunneling. These openings are often the first obvious sign of an infestation.

How Carpenter Bee Infestations Can Trigger More Damage

Carpenter bees can do more than just leave unsightly holes in your wood. Their tunnels, filled with developing larvae, create faint scratching and buzzing noises that are often easy to miss. These subtle sounds can attract attention from predators, including woodpeckers, which makes the damage worse.

Woodpeckers are drawn to carpenter bee larvae as a food source, and their pecking enlarges the entry holes. What starts as minor cosmetic damage can quickly escalate into serious structural problems that may require costly repairs. Over time, repeated infestations and woodpecker activity can significantly weaken the wood.

Catching carpenter bee infestations early is essential. Acting promptly prevents both the direct damage from the bees and the secondary destruction caused by birds feeding on the larvae. Early intervention also reduces long-term repair costs.

Arrow Exterminating: Your Go-To Solution for Bee Removal

Expert pest control is the best strategy for protecting your home from carpenter bees and the secondary damage caused by woodpeckers. If left unchecked in Long Island, these bees can create significant structural problems. Arrow Exterminating’s trained specialists locate infestations, deliver targeted solutions, and keep your home safe. Acting early helps minimize costly repairs down the line.

Contact Arrow Exterminating today to learn how our professional services can safely and efficiently handle carpenter bees and other common pests.

Back to Bee, Wasp, & Hornet Exterminators – Control – Removal

"*" indicates required fields

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Street Address*