How to Inspect Property for Carpenter Bee Infestation

How to Inspect Property for Carpenter Bee Infestation

Before you meticulously begin inspecting your property for possible carpenter bee presence, you must be first equipped with the knowledge to actually know what you are looking for. Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumblebees because of their strikingly similar appearance. The main distinguishing point to look out for is the abdomen. Carpenter bees are known to have quite a shiny smooth abdomen and have this interesting green-blueish hue to them. Another fact – is that these abdomens are quite bald with no hairs on their all-black bodies.

If you suspect a carpenter bee presence anywhere near or on your property, contact carpenter bee removal for quick and safe removal.

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In contrast, what distinguishes bumblebees from their bee counterpart, is that bumblebees have fizzy abdomens that are characterized by a lot of short hairs. Apart from that, their abdomens have their distinct yellow-white markings. Carpenter bees can vary in size and are typically 1/2 to 1 inch in length while bumblebees can be 3/4 to 1 inch in length. Bumblebees’ and carpenter bees’ nesting rabbits differ widely. 

Bumblebees prefer to nest low to the ground, already using used structures, such as rat burrows. Carpenter bees seek out untreated wood not covered in bark. Usually, the wood is soft enough for the bumblebees to penetrate. The carpenter bee is known as a solitary bee, meaning that it does not thrive and live in a communal hive whereas the bumblebee does. The bumblebee lives in colonies where the female queen is the sole bee that is capable of being fertile. With carpenter bees, however, all females are fertile and drop eggs, in what we call, nests or galleries. They deposit a pollen ball to feed their brood after they have hatched from their eggs. After depositing the eggs, the female carpenter bee closes the cells for the nest to emerge later on. 

The key to identifying carpenter bee infestation to recognize its nest as one and not mistake it for a drill hole. These nests, since they are perfectly shaped, can be often overlooked when looking for carpenter bees. It usually takes a trained and experienced eye to distinguish between a carpenter bee’s nests and a drilled hole. These nests can be found on beams, ledges, logs, soffits, and anywhere where the carpenter bee can boreholes. The trick here is to look out for, what is known as ‘frass’. frass are the discarded pieces of wood particles that resemble sawdust or wood shavings. They have a fine coarse texture that can be found usually right beneath a fresh-entry point. Knowing what you are looking for, and how to get rid of it requires specialized knowledge. This is why it is highly advisable to contact a professional reputable The Exterminators – Pest Control Mississauga service to deal with the issue swiftly and effectively.

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