Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Warm temperatures in Memphis means pests buzzing around in the air. Carpenter bees are commonly confused with their honeybee cousins and other stinging insects. However, there are significant differences in the carpenter bee’s body and behavior. Your leading pest control company in Memphis, AAA Termite & Pest Control, is providing the scoop on carpenter bees in Memphis, so you know which species is infesting your home or business.
What does a carpenter bee look like?
Carpenter bees come in various species, but the most common is between one to two inches in length. The abdomen is often black, long, and is visually hairless. The wings of the carpenter bee are not longer than the endpoint of the stomach, and they are symmetrical. Although male carpenter bees cannot sting, they show aggression by flying near or just over the head of someone passing by. The female carpenter bee is not as passive. She will repeatedly sting when threatened or aggravated. If you are unsure about the type of flying insect near your home or business, contact the knowledgeable pest control technicians in Cordova at AAA Termite & Pest Control to help identify stinging insects.
What are some differences in carpenter bees and other stinging insects?
- Carpenter bees typically do not display acts of aggression unless threatened, so they do not sting frequently.
- Carpenter bees also do not have fuzzy or hairy abdomens like bumblebees.
- Carpenter bees rarely interact with other specie members, which makes them solitary insects.
- Carpenter bees do not build hives but instead bore holes in wood, causing structural concerns for businesses and homes.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Carpenter Bees
Like most insects, carpenter bees provide many benefits to the environment and your backyard. Unfortunately, they could also cause structural damage to your home or trees. Carpenter bees offer a particular type of pollination using “buzz” techniques that are more effective than other pollinators. The combination of pollination style and size of the bee contributes to the success in the reproduction of plants. Unfortunately, carpenter bees lay their eggs in areas of unfinished or unvarnished wood, which makes porches, trim, decks, and siding their preferred nesting areas. If carpenter bees are left untreated, large holes may begin to appear around the structure of your home or business. Also, the nests attract larger predators like woodpeckers resulting in additional damage as they try to peck through the wood for their next meal.
Holes that are bored into untreated wood, unexplained sawdust around your home, or a large number of bees could signal an infestation. Your professional pest control company in Memphis, AAA Termite & Pest Control, recommends immediately addressing the situation to prevent damage to the structure. DIY treatments are rarely successful in remedying an established infestation. AAA Termite & Pest Control recommends employing professional pest control services to ensure complete eradication of the bees from your property.
Cordova and Memphis, Tennessee
Carpenter bees are rarely harmful but could cause an infestation damaging your home or property. To protect your home, professional treatment from your leading pest control company in Cordova, AAA Termite & Pest Control, is the most effective way of preventing damage from carpenter bees. Feel free to call us today at (901) 737-7378 or visit us online for a free quote.