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Carpenter Bees
Is it a Carpenter Bee or
a Bumblebee?
or
From late spring through summer,
homeowners often see large black bees resembling bumblebees hovering outside
their home. These are likely carpenter bees looking for mates or building
nests.
Carpenter bees do look
similar to bumblebees, but the upper surface of their abdomen is bare and shiny
black, whereas the bumblebee's abdomen is hairy with some yellow on it.
Male carpenter bees are very
aggressive and will dart at intruders, but are harmless, as they have no
stinger. Females do have stingers and can inflict a painful
sting, but are not very aggressive.
Carpenter bees bore into wood
and make a long tunnel to lay their eggs. They prefer bare, unpainted wood
(especially redwood, cedar, and pines), but will bore into painted wood,
especially if any type of start hole is present. The holes are
approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in diameter (about the size of your finger),
and you will notice the male hovering around the hole while the female is
tending the nest. You may also notice fresh wood shavings around and
beneath the entry hole.
Bumblebees, on the other hand,
are social insects that build their nests in the ground, sometimes utilizing old
rodent burrows. These burrows contain many bees and will be seen during
the day constantly moving back and forth from the air into the ground.
Control
Although these to bees
differ in habitat and behavior, using a combination of liquid insecticides and
dusts can control them both. If you are being bothered by either of these
pesky bees, call Monroe Pest Control Company and we will guarantee elimination
of the problem.
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