Serving Brunswick, Pender, & Sampson Counties for Effective Pest Control
Manning's Pest Control offers professional carpenter bee control in New Hanover County. Carpenter Bees can be very destructive to your home. They burrow in exterior wood and will make holes in your exterior wood surfaces and stains when they emerge in the spring.
Our technicians are trained to safely and effectively remove carpenter bees and wasps from your property. We offer year-round pest control services to keep your home or business safe and free from unwanted pests.
If you have a pest problem, reach out to us online or call (910) 302-3210 to schedule an appointment.
Identifying a Carpenter Bee or Wasp Infestation on Your Property
Depending on the time of year, you may notice a large number of bees or wasps around your property. This is not necessarily a sign that you have a bee or wasp problem. However, if you notice bees or wasps inside your home or on your property, you may have a problem.
Signs that you have a bee or wasp problem include:
- You see a nest on your property
- You see a swarm of bees or wasps
- You notice a foul smell coming from a nest
- You hear buzzing sounds coming from a nest
- You notice that your windows or doors are damaged
Frequently Asked Questions About Carpenter Bees
1. What are carpenter bees?
Carpenter bees are large, solitary bees that create nests by boring into wood. While they resemble bumblebees, carpenter bees have a shiny, hairless abdomen, whereas bumblebees are fuzzy all over. Female carpenter bees can sting but rarely do so unless directly handled or threatened.
2. How do I know if I have carpenter bees?
Look for these signs:
- Perfectly round, 1/2 inch diameter holes in wooden structures
- Sawdust-like material below the holes
- Buzzing sounds coming from inside wood structures
- Large bees hovering near wood surfaces, particularly in spring
- Yellow or brown staining on surfaces below entrance holes
3. Do carpenter bees damage buildings?
Yes. While a single tunnel may not cause significant structural damage, carpenter bees reuse and expand their nests year after year. Multiple tunnels can weaken wooden structures over time. Each tunnel can extend 4-6 inches, with multiple chambers branching off the main tunnel.
4. What types of wood do carpenter bees prefer?
Carpenter bees typically target:
- Unpainted and unfinished wood
- Softwoods like pine, cedar, and cypress
- Wooden siding, eaves, window trim, and deck railings
- Wood that is at least 2 inches thick
5. How can I prevent carpenter bee infestations?
Prevention methods include:
- Painting or varnishing exposed wood surfaces
- Filling existing holes with steel wool and wood putty
- Installing vinyl or aluminum siding over wooden surfaces
- Regular inspection of wooden structures in early spring
- Treating wood with citrus oil or almond oil as natural deterrents
6. When should I call a professional?
Contact a pest control professional if:
- You notice multiple entrance holes in your structure
- Previous DIY treatment attempts have failed
- You have recurring carpenter bee problems
- There's visible structural damage to wooden elements
- You're concerned about the integrity of wooden structures
7. Are carpenter bees beneficial to the environment?
Despite their potential for property damage, carpenter bees are important pollinators for many plants and crops. Professional pest control can help relocate these bees when possible or implement targeted treatments that protect both your property and local ecosystems.
8. What treatment methods do professionals use?
Our pest control experts employ various treatment strategies:
- Targeted insecticide application to entrance holes
- Preventive treatments for at-risk wood surfaces
- Sealing existing holes after treatment
- Installation of preventive barriers
- Regular monitoring and maintenance programs
Contact Us for Reliable Carpenter Bee Removal Solutions
At Manning's Pest Control, we offer safe, effective carpenter bee control in New Hanover County. Our technicians are trained to identify the species of bees and/or wasps on your property, and safely remove the nest or colony. For more information or to schedule an inspection, contact our pest control experts today.