Watch out for carpenter bees in Oregon

Bees might not be on your mind during the winter, but bee season in Oregon will be here before you know it. The bad news is, carpenter bees may make nests in the wood around your home or business. Holes in wood never look attractive, so you’ll want to take action if you have a serious carpenter bee issue. Learn about types of carpenter bees in the Beaver State, their damage and more.

In Oregon, carpenter bees are likely to be active from spring through the early fall. If you see bees and perfectly round holes in your wood which weren’t there before, you could have an infestation. Western Exterminator's bee removal experts know how to handle carpenter bee problems and will help you get rid of these pests. Call 800-937-8398 or contact us online to arrange a time for us to come to your property.

What are carpenter bees?

You may have heard of carpenter bees, but what are they? Carpenter bees are solitary flying insects. Although they are helpful as pollinators, carpenter bees create pencil-shaped holes in wood, such as trees or wooden structures in order to lay eggs. Unlike termites, carpenter bees do not eat wood.

Types of carpenter bees in Oregon

Oregon contains two types of carpenter bees, the California carpenter bee and the mountain carpenter bee.

California carpenter bee - It is ¾ to 1 inch in length and mainly metallic green to blue with grayish wings.

Mountain carpenter bee -  ½ to ⅝ inch in length with black bodies. Males have black, yellow and white hairs on their heads.

Carpenter bees damage

Carpenter bees create holes in your wood and your home or business, which look unappealing, and can ultimately weaken wooden structures. In Portland, if you live in the mountains or a place with lots of trees, you may be more likely to encounter carpenter bees.

Carpenter bees facts

Carpenter bees mate in the spring and a female will dig into wood to create a new nest or return to an existing nest. She stores food for the larvae like nectar and pollen here, then places an egg on top. The female bee seals the chamber containing the egg, eventually creating multiple chambers in what’s known as a gallery.

Watch for carpenter bees around your home or business. Carpenter bees may nest in areas such as fascia or the underside of your roof. Carpenter bees will use the same nest multiple times or build additional passages close to existing nests, increasing the chance of weakening the wood and causing damage. If you see sawdust near or beneath holes, you could be dealing with an infestation.

Do carpenter bees sting?

It’s possible, but unlikely to be stung by a carpenter bee. The large size of carpenter bees can be alarming and male carpenter bees can be aggressive when people are near. However, males lack stingers entirely and females rarely sting at all. If you do happen to get stung and have any kind of unusual reaction, contact a medical professional right away.

Bumble bee vs. carpenter bee

You may mistake a carpenter bee for a bumble bee, but they are not the same insect. The bumble bee has more visible hairs on its body, whereas carpenter bees have a shinier appearance. Bumble bees also have yellow or white bands, but carpenter bees are more black and metallic.

Additionally, bumble bees are more social than carpenter bees. Their living quarters are also very different as bumble bees live in holes in the ground, while carpenter bees use wood for nesting.

How to get rid of carpenter bees in Oregon

If carpenter bees are digging into your wood, you will likely feel the urge to get rid of them right away and might be tempted to use a do-it-yourself method. But do not try to eliminate a stinging pest issue on your own; rather, contact a reliable pest control professional. Western Exterminator is skilled in carpenter bee control and will use the appropriate tactic to get rid of the problem.

When you contact us, we will visit your property and conduct an inspection to confirm that the pests are indeed carpenter bees and see where the damage is located. Control may include liquid or dust chemical treatments to the bee galleries.

Western Exterminator is your local expert in carpenter bee removal in Oregon and we will work with you to alleviate your fears about stinging pests. If you have seen carpenter bees at your home or business, get in touch with us today!