4 Ways Bees Can Damage Your Home

Bees are among nature’s most amazing and important creatures. They have highly evolved methods of communication, and they are necessary pollinators for much of the world’s food supply.

Humans and bees can live in harmony as long as we keep a respectful distance. Sometimes, though, bees build their homes a little too close to ours, which can cause serious issues. We all know that some bees can sting or bite us, but the damage they can cause to our homes is lesser known.

Do Carpenter Bees Damage Homes?

Carpenter bees are by far the most destructive members of the apian family. Female carpenter bees tunnel into wood to build nests, lay eggs, and raise larval offspring. Whether it’s your porch, balcony, steps, handrails, siding, or support beams – over time, carpenter bee tunnels will weaken and compromise the integrity of wood elements in and around your home.

What Damage Can Bees Cause?

From stains to structural collapse, bees can damage our homes in four major ways. These are:

• Structural Damage: Over time, as carpenter bee tunnels weaken wood structures, railings can give way; porches, balconies, and steps can collapse; support beams can weaken, and structures can warp or collapse. This damage is both costly and unsafe. Carpenter bees aren’t the only bees that can cause structural damage, though. Honey bee hives can cause the collapse of walls, roofs, and chimneys if they are built inside a home and their nests get large or heavy enough.
• Water Damage: When carpenter bee tunnels are open to the elements, rainwater can enter the holes and accelerate water damage and rot. This can cause costly damage to your home, especially if the tunnels are in the siding that protects your home’s framing.
• Stain Damage: Carpenter bee feces can stain wood where there is an infestation. Stains aren’t just a carpenter bee problem, either. Honey bee hives in your home leak honey and other stain-causing liquids.
• Secondary Infestation Damage: Carpenter bee larvae are delicious prey for several species of birds. Woodpeckers are especially attracted to the sounds and scents of larval bees and will not hesitate to cause further damage to your home to obtain a meal.

Fortunately, carpenter bee damage is evident, slow-moving, and easily recognizable. A carpenter bee infestation can be taken care of well before the situation becomes dire.

What Does Carpenter Bee Damage Look Like?

Carpenter bees don’t eat wood; they make tunnels to create homes for their young. They often target unpainted wood like doors, windowsills, roof eaves, railings, and even wooden lawn furniture.

To start their nest, a carpenter bee drills a (usually) perfectly round hole about the size of a nickel into the wood. This hole usually goes against the grain is commonly found on the underside of structures, so they can come and go without being noticed. Once the tunnel is about an inch deep, the bee turns and tunnels with the grain. They prefer wood that is thicker than two inches.

How Do You Keep Bees From Burrowing Into Wood?

You can take several steps to prevent carpenter bees from burrowing into the wood around your home:

1. Choose Hardwoods: Carpenter bees prefer softwoods, so use hardwoods when building or repairing structures.
2. Treat Wood Surfaces: These bees are attracted to bare, untreated wood. To discourage tunneling, coat wood surfaces with oil-based or latex paint, stain, or varnish.
3. Consider Non-Wood Siding: If you’re building a new home or replacing siding, consider using materials like vinyl, metal, or fiber cement. These options won’t attract carpenter bees and will help protect your home’s wooden frame.
4. Seal Cracks and Holes: Don’t give carpenter bees a place to start. Seal any cracks or holes in your wood structures. If you have wooden vents, latticework, or other decorative elements, cover these openings with fine mesh screening to keep out bees and other insects.
5. Lure Bees Away: You can draw bees away from your home by hanging a piece of decoy wood. Another option is to build or buy a bee trap to catch and remove them.
6. Call Fox Pest Control: The most efficient way to deal with carpenter bees is to hire a pest control expert. At Fox, we’re experts at carpenter bee behavior and know how to protect your home from structural damage.

Fox Pest Control Can Solve Your Carpenter Bee Problems

You don’t need to battle destructive bees on your own, and Fox Pest Control’s team of trained professionals is here to help. Call us as soon as you see suspicious carpenter bee activity. We can nip an active infestation in the bud and treat the wood on your home to prevent bees from returning. Contact us today for a consultation and peace of mind.