New Jersey Pest Control Blog

Carpenter Bee Activity Up Significantly In Essex County & NJ

Written by Admin | Jun 5, 2020 9:59:00 AM

While practicing social distancing looks a bit different for each of us, one thing that seems to be consistent is time spent outdoors on walks or even just hanging out in the backyard.  Perhaps it is because New Jersey families are spending so much time in their outdoor living spaces they’ve become more aware of what’s buzzing around their properties this spring and that could be the reason for the increased calls about carpenter bees.

What attracts carpenter bees?

Carpenter bees in New Jersey come back every spring like clockwork. In fact, they often return to the same area which, if not addressed, can lead to wood being riddled with carpenter bee holes. They are solitary bees that bore holes into wood surfaces in order to create nests for breeding purposes.  They are often found buzzing around rooflines, eaves, soffits, and decks and are attracted to untreated wood including:

  • Old fences
  • Sheds
  • Wood piles
  • Unprotected wood like the ends of planks

Carpenter bees are also attracted to wood siding or even vinyl and fiber siding that look like wood.

In addition to wood, you are likely to find these bees buzzing around flowers, feeding on nectar (they don’t eat wood like termites) and collecting pollen for their offspring.

Are carpenter bees aggressive?

Carpenter bees do not have hives to protect, that makes them much less aggressive than yellow jackets, honey bees, and other stinging insects.  While male carpenter bees may seem a bit aggressive due to their large size and loud buzzing, they actually can't sting you. Females carpenter bees are capable of stinging, but those cases are rare and most always caused by accidentally poking or disturbing their habitat. 

How do I get rid of carpenter bees?

If you’ve discovered carpenter bees around your New Jersey home, contact Arrow Pest Control. Whether you’re looking for a one-time carpenter bee solution or would like help keeping these pests and others away from your home and family all year-round, we can help. Starting at $35/month, our Home Protection Plan includes coverage for over 30 pests common to New Jersey including carpenter bees! Check out the home pest control plan below for more info on how we can help you achieve and maintain a pest-free home. 

Home Protection Program

Service consists of the elimination of your current pest or rodent problem, complemented by both interior and exterior year-round protection of your home, which is inclusive of three seasonal visits. The program covers your entire property including attics, mailboxes, playsets, sheds, and fences.

Pests targeted with Arrow’s Home Protection Plan services include ants (excluding carpenter ants, pharaoh ants and acrobatic), bees, boxelder bugs, carpenter bees, carpet beetles, centipedes, cicada killers, clover mites, crickets, digger bees, earwigs, fabric & paper pests, fleas (inside only), ground beetles, hornets, mice, pillbugs, millipedes, rats, roaches, silverfish, sowbugs, spiders, springtails, stored product pests, and wasps.

*If you have a pool house that requires service, pricing would increase based upon the size of the structure.

or call now (732) 844-8640