Page 3 - March 2019 Lakewood Edge

Cal Coast Termitez

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CARPENTER BEES?

by Jesse Ocampo, Cal Coast Termite & Pest Inc. dead wood on trees or lumber from southern continues inward for a short distance. It then
yellow pine, white pine, California redwood, turns sharply upward and runs in the same
arpenter bees build nests in wood, cedar, Douglas fir, cypress, mimosa, mulberry, direction as the grain of the wood. The female
creating galleries that can weaken ash and pecan trees. They avoid most hard provisions the galleries by inserting a ball of
C structures; however, they rarely cause woods. The presence of carpenter bees around pollen on which an egg is laid. Live prey,
severe damage. People may be frightened by buildings and wood structures can be annoying such as insects or spiders, are not used. The
carpenter bees because of their large size, their or even frightening; however males cannot female then closes the cell by placing a mass of
similarity to bumble bees, and their annoying sting and females rarely attack. wood pulp in the gallery. A series of cells are
noise. Carpenter bees resemble large bumble bees, constructed as the bee works backward, out of
Most carpenter bees, are large and robust but have very different nesting behavior. They the gallery.
insects resembling bumble bees. They are bore long tunnels into wood, and divide these Females often enlarge existing galleries or
usually about 1 inch long and colored a metallic tunnels into cells where individual larvae will use old ones, so very complex gallery systems
blue-black with green or purplish reflections. develop. While several females may be nesting can be developed over a number of years. These and pupae develop in the closed cells in early
They differ from bumble bees in that their in wood of the same structure or other site, galleries are often made in the siding or window summer. Adult bees emerge in late summer and
abdomen is shiny with fringes of hairs on some each is acting in a solitary fashion, as these are trim of homes, and in such cases the structural return to the same tunnels to hibernate for the
segments. Males of some species are lighter non-social bees. strength of tunneled timbers may be reduced. winter months. In the spring, the adults mate
colored, ranging into golden or buff hues. The common eastern species, X virginica Carpenter bee nests are usually not difficult and the females lay eggs, completing the cycle.
Carpenter bees cause damage to wooden (Linnaeus), resembles many of the bumble to locate. Some of the more common sites The abandoned nests of carpenter bees are
structures by boring into timbers and siding bees closely enough that it is often confused on chosen within buildings include siding, eaves, frequently infested by any number of secondary
to prepare nests. The nests weaken structural casual observation. This carpenter bee is black wooden shakes, porch ceilings, window sills pests, including dermestid beetles, dried fruit
wood and leave unsightly holes and stains on in color and marked with areas of yellow hair, and doors. They will also nest in telephone moths and other scavengers that will feed on
building surfaces. Second, undecayed wood but the dorsal sides of the abdominal segments poles, fence railings or posts, and even in lawn unused pollen and nectar. Certain wasps, ants
without paint or bark is usually selected for (except for the apparent first segment) have no furniture. and bees will also be found in old galleries,
nests. Carpenter bees also frequently attach to areas of yellow hair. In bumble bees, at least Many types of wood are selected for using them as shelter and nesting sites.*
some of these abdominal segments will have nesting, but softer woods are preferred. The best thing to do when you see
yellow hair on their dorsal surfaces. Unpainted or well-weathered wood is much carpenter bees is to have a licensed pest control
Other species of carpenter bees, from other more susceptible to attack than hardwood or professional or real estate agent like Allison
genera, may be black, green or somewhat well-painted timbers. Another sign to look Van Wig act as an intermediary and get your
purplish in color, and they are variously marked for in locating carpenter bee galleries is the home inspected for any wood destroying insect
with whitish, yellowish or reddish hair. The yellowish or brownish excrement stains created activity to preserve the integrity of your home.
dorsal surface of the abdomen is also generally on the side of the home, below the entrance Call Cal Coast Termite & Pest today for
bare in these species. holes to the galleries. a FREE inspection! 877 NO BUGS 7. n
The typical carpenter bee gallery has Carpenter bees complete one generation per
an entrance hole on the wood surface, and year in most areas of the United States. Tunnels *Source: Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Management 7th Edition
Lakewood Market Update - January 2019

Current as of February 5, 2019. All data comes from CRMLS. Powered by ShowingTime 10K. Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures. 3