If you’ve ever seen these brown splatter marks on your homes exterior siding or trim its a carpenter bee’s home. During our daily exterior cleaning activities we often spot carpenter bee evidence. If you ever hear wood peckers banging on your home they are likely seaching for the carpenter bee larvae.
Carpenter Bee Facts
- This type of bee is likes to bore into wood siding and trim around your home.
- They are solitary bees that nest in tunnels within the wood, not colonies like honeybees.
- Carpenter bees are not wood-eaters; they use the wood to build their nests and lay eggs.
- Males do not sting, but a male-female pair occupies one hole.
- Are often mistaken for bumblebees due their similar size and appearance. Have a shiny black abdomen unlike fuzzy abdomens of bumblebees.
- Are less likely to infest wood that has paint or stain. Yet the majority of locations we find on homes are right thru the paint.
- Prefer untreated softwood.
- Bees are intelligent and can recognize and remember human faces! A study found that they use a technique called configural processing.
- Why they may hover. If you notice any type of bee hovering around you it means they see you as a threat. Hovering is a sign of DEFENDING their territory.
Do Carpenter Bees sting? YES the females possess stingers and can deliver a painful sting. The literature states they are typically not aggressive and will only sting if provoked. We recommend hiring a pro to treat this issue. Especially if your allergic to bee stings and/or not a ladder person.
Our cleaning solutions often-times removes the carpenter bee evidence. Which are shown as brown poop splatters on your siding and trim. Not to worry we always capture before and after pictures of these nest location(s) on your home and include them with your invoice.
Want to learn more about carpenter bees https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-2074