I’ve been finding what I thought were giant bumble bees, but after doing some research I believe they are carpenter bees. I read your article but still have questions.
I keep finding these bees in my living room which is in the front of my house, and I think they are coming in through the mail slot, which currently does not have a cover. I’ve since developed a fear of these bees, because I don’t know where they keep coming from, plus their size is rather intimidating. The sound they make is rather loud and slightly frightening also.
My question, my home is made of redwood, through and through – it was constructed in the 1800’s. Do carpenter bees, like termites, not like redwood, or should I look for a possible nest? Is there any wood that these bees will not ‘eat’?
Here is the answer to your easy question “is there any wood that these bees will not ‘eat’?” The answer (and not to be facetious) is all wood. That’s right, carpenter bees don’t eat the wood, they actually bore into it looking to create nests but they’re not eating it. As explained in our CARPENTERBEE CONTROL ARTICLE, these nests can go several feet deep with multiple egg chambers and lots of activity. And though they tend to avoid or “miss” some species of wood, I’ve seen them bore into most everything including redwood. Cedar, poplar, oak, redwood and just about every species you can name I’ve seen them attack. The rule is simple; if man has used it in some shape or form to build things and there is some portion of it vulnerable to insects, something will take advantage of the offering. Redwood is no exception to this rule and in this case the attacking insect sounds like carpenter bees.
The second question regarding a nest; I would say a good inspection is in order. I would say one of two things has happened regardless of the species. Now if it’s carpenter bees (and you should be able to tell by watching one of our CARPENTER BEE VIDEO’S if this is the species you see), it’s most likely there is a nest somewhere on the outside of the structure which got sealed up last year. Is it possible you did some painting or sealing to the exterior? If so, any nest entrance or exit holes that were sealed could be forcing the emerging young to enter the home. We get this reported all the time. But carpenter bees also like to nest up under siding, inside cracks and crevices, and sometimes this nesting will lead them into the home even though they aren’t really “boring” like one normally sees. This can also happen with other species of bees or wasps. Regardless of the species, the end result is usually the same: unwanted pests in the house!
To stop this from happening, I recommend a good inspection outside with the intent being to locate where anything is active. If you find activity, such as some hanging around some plants or one side of the house, I would suspect this to be a hot spot and a good place to concentrate your effort for now. Any nests found in this area should be treated with DRIONE. If you can’t find any live nests, be sure to spray the area with the CYPERMETHRIN to help chase and repel them from the area. These treatments will keep them from boring new nests or using some void or space for a nest on the home. If this was the area which led to the problem you currently have, the treatments should stop this from happening again next year and your problem should be resolved.
Here are direct links to all the information and products mentioned:
Carpenter Bee Article: https://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
Carpenter Bee Video’s: https://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-videos
Drione: https://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/dust/drione-dust
Crusader Duster: www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Cypermethrin: www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin
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