Bees are an insect that people often have a mix of feelings about. On the one hand, many bees can look rather cute with their fuzzy appearance, and they are a key part of the ecosystem as they pollinate plants and make honey.
However, bees can also be dangerous to have around your Marietta, Georgia home because of their ability to sting and inject venom. And, while most bees don’t cause property damage, there is one species in the area that can.
The carpenter bee tunnels through wood to create nests. While, unlike termites, they don’t consume the wood, they do bore holes through it which can lead to the destruction of outbuildings, decks, siding, and more.
These bees can be differentiated from other bee species because they have a black abdomen and don’t have stripes. They also only have fur behind their heads while most other species are fuzzy all over.
What Are The Risks Of Carpenter Bees?
While carpenter bees can sting, and this can be a problem if you’re allergic to bee venom, they generally aren’t a very dangerous species. They are more likely to cause harm to your property than to you, but this property damage can still be quite frustrating.
The longer the infestation is allowed to remain, the more damage these bees will do. They will continue to create more nests in wooden structures around your property, and they can do severe damage over time. Carpenter bees usually go for wood that has been untreated and unpainted or that has been weathered over time. They also prefer softer types of wood including redwoods, cedars, and pines.
What’s The Best Way To Prevent Carpenter Bees?
If carpenter bees establish themselves on your property, you can end up spending thousands of dollars on repairs, especially if the infestation remains for a long period of time. Attempting to remove these bees on your own is also dangerous as this is when they are most likely to sting you.
Luckily, there is one simple way to get rid of carpenter bees and protect your property from damage, and it’s with expert assistance from Avenge Pest Control. We can swiftly remove these difficult stinging insects and keep them from coming back. Plus, we offer no-contract pest control. Call us today to get a free quote.
Five Carpenter Bee Prevention Tips
While professional pest control is the easiest way to handle carpenter bees, there are still a few measures you can implement around your home or business to deter them. Following these steps in connection with expert pest control services is the best way to handle these bees.
- Make sure outbuildings, decks, and any wooden structures outside are painted or stained with varnish. Also, keep any lumber stored in a dry, organized area.
- Install metal flashing to deter carpenter bees.
- If you have any features on your property like hot tubs or pools, make sure to use the correct chemicals and keep them clean with cycled water.
- Because carpenter bees, and many other pests, are attracted to moisture, get rid of standing water, including areas where water may pool, from your yard.
- Repair rooflines to keep carpenter bees from getting inside of attics or roofs.
Carpenter bees can be both dangerous and destructive. However, even if you’ve taken the above prevention steps, it can still sometimes not be enough. For lasting protection against these costly pests, you need the level of treatment only a professional can provide.
For help keeping them off of your Marietta property, call Avenge Pest Control today.