Carpenter Bee Control | Southeast Michigan 1-866-453-7221

Carpenter Bee Control in Southeast Michigan

Carpenter bees drill perfectly round holes in unpainted or weathered wood to create nesting tunnels. Over time, repeated use of the same tunnels and woodpecker damage caused by birds searching for bee larvae can cause significant structural damage. Treatment is most effective in early spring before nesting activity begins, but can be performed throughout the season.

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Where They Are Found

Wood trim, fascia, and soffits

Decks, pergolas, and wood fences

Eaves and overhangs

Bare or weathered wood siding

Identification

Michigan has several species that fall under this pest category. Here is what to look for.

Carpenter Bees

About 1 inch, resemble bumble bees but the abdomen is shiny and black rather than fuzzy. Males are aggressive but cannot sting. Females can sting but rarely do.

Entry Holes

Perfectly round holes about 1/2 inch in diameter drilled into wood. Tunnels extend 6 to 10 inches inside the wood. Fresh sawdust and yellow staining below the hole indicates active nesting.

Woodpecker Damage

Carpenter bee galleries attract woodpeckers, which drill into the wood to reach larvae. This secondary damage can be extensive and disfiguring to wood structures.

How We Treat

Carpenter bee treatment involves injecting an appropriate product directly into the active galleries followed by plugging the holes after a waiting period. Timing matters. Spring treatments target bees before tunneling is complete. Painting or staining exposed wood is the most effective long-term prevention.

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FAQ

Do carpenter bees sting?

Female carpenter bees can sting but are not aggressive and rarely do so unless directly handled. Male carpenter bees, which are the ones that hover and dart at people near nests, cannot sting at all.

Will carpenter bees come back to the same holes?

Yes. Carpenter bees are highly likely to return to the same structures year after year, and offspring will often expand existing galleries. Treating and sealing holes each season is important for preventing cumulative damage.

What is the best prevention?

Painting or staining all exposed wood surfaces is the most effective deterrent. Carpenter bees strongly prefer bare or weathered wood. Keeping wood structures painted and sealed significantly reduces the likelihood of new tunneling.

Other Pests We Treat

Ants

Bed Bugs

Beetles

Boxelder Bugs All Pests →

Covered Under Our Service Plans

Carpenter bees are covered under our service plans, which protect against over 20 pest types with no contract and unlimited free re-services between visits.

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