How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees the Right Way, According to Entomologists

Different species of bees, including carpenter bees, are essential pollinators that help our ecosystem thrive. Carpenter bees ensure plants and flowers grow, and they are also a key food source for birds and other native wildlife. Unlike some other species of bees, carpenter bees are usually not aggressive–in fact, males don’t have a stinger at all.

However, carpenter bees like to make their nests by drilling holes in wood, which can be problematic if their wood source becomes your house. If carpenter bees burrow their way into your home, an untreated infestation can lead to structural damage to your home, which can be costly to repair.

We turned to experienced entomologists to find out how to identify carpenter bees and get rid of them if you have an infestation in your home.

Meet the Expert

• Daniel Baldwin, board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control

• Shannon Harlow-Ellis, associate certified entomologist at Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company

Related: How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants, According to Entomologists

How to Identify a Carpenter Bee

It can be difficult to tell if the bees near, in, or around your home are carpenter bees because they look similar to regular bumblebees. However, a few noteworthy characteristics can help you distinguish carpenter bees from other types of bees.

If you look closely, you’ll also notice one key physical difference. Carpenter bees lack hairs on their abdomens, says Shannon Harlow-Ellis, an associate certified entomologist at Mosquito Joe. Carpenter bees also have yellow markings and black circles on the thorax and large jaws, which allow them to chew through wood to make holes and build their nests. 

Another difference between carpenter and bumblebees is their behavior. “The carpenter bee is a solitary insect that makes nests in wood cavities,” says Daniel Baldwin, a board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control. Bumblebees, on the other hand, are a social species and live in colonies.

Signs of a Carpenter Bee Infestation

One of the most recognizable signs of a carpenter bee infestation is visible damage to the wooden exteriors of your home, like a porch or cladding. Carpenter bee holes can be about the width of your finger. “You may even notice small amounts of sawdust residue at the entry of the hole where the bee starts to tunnel the wood,” says Baldwin. Females typically chew through wood to create their nests, so these holes can become several feet long and even cause structural damage if left untreated.

If you notice other types of animals, like woodpeckers, turning up at your house, you might want to check for carpenter bees. Woodpeckers feed on the larva of carpenter bees, and they can cause even more damage to your home if they are on the hunt for a nest, Baldwin says.

How to Prevent Carpenter Bee Infestations

Carpenter bees seek wood, especially untreated, unpainted, or unstained wood. To prevent a carpenter bee infestation, make sure any wood on the exterior of your home is properly painted, treated, and sealed. If you’re doing renovations, building your house from the ground up, or adding an addition or deck to your home, try to avoid using softwoods and opt for hard materials that are more difficult for carpenter bees to penetrate, says Baldwin.

If you have existing holes from previous carpenter bee damage or any other preexisting issues, use wood glue or filler to seal them up to prevent further damage. You can also install screens or use mesh to cover existing holes to prevent carpenter bees from returning.

Warning

Pesticides can prevent carpenter bee infestations but are often harmful to other insects and wildlife, including other species of bees that are essential parts of our ecosystem. If you opt to use pesticides, avoid using them during seasons when pollinators are active to protect your local plant and wildlife, Baldwin says.

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees

If you find yourself dealing with an active carpenter bee infestation, there are several environmentally friendly, non-toxic ways to get rid of them.

Fill In Holes

Holes in the wooden exterior of your home may be evidence of an existing infestation. Fill in the holes using a wood filler to prevent further nesting. Once the wood filler dries and sets, seal the area with a wood sealant or paint. “If the holes are too big, wood panels may need replacing or professional assistance to be fixed correctly,” Baldwin says.

Play Loud Music

Carpenter bees are sensitive to sound, specifically, the vibrations caused by sound waves. Placing a speaker near a suspected infestation and blasting loud music can deter bees from nesting there, says Baldwin.

Install a Bee Hotel

A bee hotel is a small wooden structure made from sticks, paper, bamboo, and old wood cuttings designed to encourage bees and other insects to nest there instead of burrowing into your home. Keep in mind that bee hotels require pre-planning and can take work to maintain.

Consult a Professional

Sometimes carpenter bee infestations can be too severe to treat on your own. In these instances, it's best to contact a professional pest control expert. Professionals know how to navigate larger infestations and have the right tools, skills, permits, and licenses to remove the bees safely.