Homeowner’s Guide to Carpenter Bees Infestation & Control in North Carolina
Carpenter bees may look harmless at first glance, often mistaken for their fuzzy, friendly cousins—the bumblebees—but these solitary wood-boring insects can become a major nuisance for homeowners and business owners across North Carolina. Left unchecked, carpenter bees can cause serious damage to wooden structures, including decks, eaves, fences, and even the structural framing of buildings.
If you’ve spotted large, black-and-yellow bees hovering near your home or noticed round, smooth holes in wood around your property, you could be dealing with a carpenter bee infestation. Let’s break down how these bees operate, why they’re a problem, and—most importantly—how a professional exterminator can help control, treat, and prevent them from coming back.
Understanding Carpenter Bee Infestations
Carpenter bees are native to North Carolina and are most active in spring and early summer. Unlike honeybees, carpenter bees don't live in colonies. Instead, they bore into untreated or weathered softwood to create individual nests. Each female bee drills a perfectly round hole, about the diameter of a dime, then tunnels into the wood to lay her eggs.
Here’s how they typically infest a yard or home:
- They target exposed, unpainted wood—like decks, soffits, railings, and outdoor furniture.
- They return year after year to the same nesting sites, often expanding the damage.
- Their presence attracts woodpeckers, which dig into wood to eat the larvae, causing even more destruction.
Why Carpenter Bees Are a Problem
- Structural Damage: Over time, repeated boring weakens wooden structures.
- Cosmetic Issues: Their holes and staining from waste products create unsightly marks on wood surfaces.
- Increased Woodpecker Activity: These birds can cause even greater damage trying to reach the bee larvae.
- Stress for Homeowners: No one enjoys dodging territorial bees every time they step outside!
Understanding Carpenter Bees vs. Honey Bees vs. Bumble Bees
Before diving into removal strategies, it’s essential to differentiate between these bee species. Each plays a unique role in our ecosystem but has vastly different behaviors and nesting preferences.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are solitary, excavating tunnels in wood for nesting, while honeybees and bumblebees are social, living in colonies. These bees are notorious for their wood-boring ways. They resemble bumblebees, but you can identify them by their shiny, black abdomens. Carpenter bees do not create hives. Instead, they bore holes in wood, particularly untreated wood like decks, fences, and eaves, to lay their eggs. While their damage can be extensive over time, they are generally non-aggressive.
Honey Bees
These are the well-known pollinators that produce honey and live in large, organized colonies. Honey bees are typically orange and black and have hairy bodies that help them with pollen collection. Unlike carpenter bees, they do not bore into wood but instead build wax hives.
Bumble Bees
Slightly larger and fuzzier than honey bees, bumble bees are social insects that live in smaller colonies. They often nest in the ground, but can sometimes find cozy spots in attics or abandoned rodent burrows. Bumble bees are crucial for pollination, especially of crops.
How a Professional Exterminator Can Help
When it comes to carpenter bee control, DIY solutions often fall short. Professional pest control companies offer proven strategies that are safe, effective, and long-lasting.
1. Thorough Inspection
A licensed exterminator will inspect your property to:
- Identify active nests
- Locate potential entry points and weak spots
- Determine the extent of the infestation
2. Targeted Treatment
Once the nests are located, professionals use:
- Insecticidal dusts or foams injected directly into the tunnels
- Residual sprays applied to affected and high-risk areas
- Dusting repeat visits to treat late-emerging bees
These products are highly effective and often include long-lasting agents that prevent reinfestation.
3. Sealing Entry Points
After treatment, the entry holes are sealed with wood putty or caulk to prevent re-use. A follow-up coat of paint or stain is also recommended, since carpenter bees are less likely to bore into finished wood.
4. Preventive Measures
Professionals also provide guidance on how to avoid future infestations:
- Painting or staining all exposed wood
- Replacing old, untreated lumber
- Installing physical deterrents like bee traps or aluminum flashing
- Regular inspections each spring to catch issues early
Best Ways to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees
If you find yourself dealing with a carpenter bee infestation, here are some effective methods to tackle the problem:
- Seal Up Wooden Surfaces: Prevent future infestations by sealing or painting exposed wood surfaces. Carpenter bees prefer untreated wood, so using high-quality paints or stains can deter them from nesting.
- Use Carpenter Bee Traps: Simple traps can help catch and reduce the carpenter bee population. These traps can be placed near nesting areas and will help capture them without releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.
- Essential Oils: Natural repellents like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or citrus oil can deter carpenter bees. Mix these oils with water and spray around known nesting areas to encourage them to find a new home.
- Wood Treatments: Using wood preservatives or commercial bee repellents can be beneficial in protecting your wood structures. These treatments can help keep bees at bay and should be reapplied annually.
Protect Your Property Today!
Carpenter bees are more than just a buzzing inconvenience—they can cause long-term damage to your property if left unchecked. If you’re seeing signs of carpenter bee activity around your North Carolina home or business, don’t wait for the problem to get worse.
Contact Eastline Pest Management today for a free inspection and personalized carpenter bee control plan. With years of experience serving communities across North Carolina, we’ll protect your property and bring peace back to your outdoor space—bee-free and worry-free!
