Welcome Summer… Buzz Off, Carpenter Bees! Effective Tips to Prevent Pest Infestations this Summer

Today is the Summer Solstice, the official start of summer! It’s also the longest day and the shortest night of the year. In the weeks ahead, you’ll see a host of new flying insects and crawling bugs, including carpenter bees. Not only can these buzzing insects cause harm with their painful stings, but they certainly live up to their name as they can wreak havoc on your property, drilling into wood and causing structural damage.

The following are our pest expert tips and tricks to help keep these industrious carpenter bees at bay.

1. Identify and Seal Potential Nesting Sites - Regularly inspect your property for signs of drilling, including small, perfectly round holes (about 1/2 inch in diameter). Once identified, seal these holes to prevent carpenter bees from establishing nests.
2. Replace Damaged or Decayed Wood - Carpenter bees prefer to nest in wood that is already damaged or decaying. Regularly inspect and replace any compromised wood on your property. This not only removes potential nesting sites but also helps maintain the integrity of your structures.
3. Apply Protective Finishes - Carpenter bees are attracted to unpainted or weathered wood surfaces, including fences, decks, eaves, and wooden furniture. One of the best ways to deter carpenter bees is by treating wooden surfaces with protective finishes like paint, varnish, or stain. These coatings create a barrier that repels the bees.
4. Bring in the Professionals - Some of the signs of carpenter bee activity includes perfect round holes in the wood, sawdust, yellowish-black stains near the nesting site, and damaged wood. If you see any of these signs, call a professional pest control company to resolve the issue.

For more information, call (833) 224-6489 or email sales@nopests.com.