Attack of the Carpenter Bees!

Until you have a problem with carpenter bees this is not a subject that interests you. But once you suffer an attack of these wood eating bees you never look at flying insects the same. Doing a google search or taking a trip to your local hardware store probably landed you in about the same place it landed us - nowhere. The following includes some helpful informational links and of course our opinion.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS CARPENTER BEES?

These photos show a typical carpenter bee hole. It is the size of a dime. Expect to find these on the bottom of overhangs, facia boards, hand railings of decks and staircases, wood piles, window frames, door frames, dead trees, fence posts and just about anywhere unfinished wood is available.

These holes are drilled by females. They enter an inch or two and then turn 90 degrees. The next section of their nest may tunnel as little as twelve inches or up to several feet. These bees will also crawl between cracks and seams of wood work and drill their holes out of sight. You may only find the sawdust or see them entering an area where they are nesting. You don't have to have the holes as seen above for an active nest to be in your home. The 2x4 pictured above was in a wood pile.

NOW THAT I KNOW I HAVE CARPENTER BEES WHAT DO I DO?

The University of Kentucky Entomology says that carpenter bees prefer to attack wood which is bare, weathered and unpainted. Therefore, the best way to deter the bees is to paint all exposed wood surfaces, especially those which have a history of being attacked. Wood stains and preservatives are less reliable than painting, but will provide some degree of repellency versus bare wood. To further discourage nesting, garages and outbuildings should be kept closed when carpenter bees are actively searching for nesting sites.
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef611.htm
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2074.html http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7417.html

WHAT ABOUT SPRAYS?

Preventive sprays applied to wood surfaces are effective only for a short period, meaning that you would have to repeat the application about every two to three weeks. However, once nesting activity has begun treating the entrance holes with an insecticidal spray or dust may substantially reduce damage. Products containing carbaryl (Sevin), cyfluthrin, or resmethrin are suitable.

SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

In our experience this is an irritating problem with no miracle cure. The best solution we've found is to keep your home in good repair. This is one of the reasons that we recommend keeping up-to-date on the maintenance coats of paint or stain on the exterior of your home.

More often than not, we all like to wait until we have no choice and we absolutely must paint or stain our home or the wood will disintegrate. It actually does save you money to do the maintenance coats instead of waiting until the cost of painting your home includes wood repair.

Okay, enough of the lecture. So what should you do? You may consider having the holes filled our simply replacing the damaged wood. Getting the home painted or stained as necessary will deter the bees because they really don't want to eat paint. After painting, a good coat of insect repellant every few weeks should help encourage the bees to go elsewhere.

Remember that The Finishing Touch II, Inc. offers a maintenance schedule. This means that before we leave your home we assess what your homes upcoming needs are likely to be. We send you a reminder postcard a few months before it's time to have the work done.

After calling to confirm that you do want this work to be done we put your name on our schedule. This allows you to plan for the expense. It also guarantees that our schedule includes the work that you need to have done in the time frame it should be done. It's as simple as calling and saying, "Add my home to the maintenance schedule".