You see it out of the corner of your eye while enjoying a sunny afternoon on your porch. A large, black bee, hovering near the eaves of your beautiful Buffalo home. Then you spot the tell-tale sign: a perfectly round, dime-sized hole drilled into the wood.
It’s not your imagination, and it’s not a bumblebee. You’re looking at a carpenter bee, and that little hole is the entrance to a much bigger problem for your home’s woodwork.
For homeowners across Western New York, from the historic homes in Elmwood Village to the suburban decks of Orchard Park and Clarence, the arrival of carpenter bees in late spring is a familiar, and unwelcome, sight. They seem to love the same things we do: relaxing on our porches, decks, and patios. The difference is, they’re actively damaging them.
At Buffalo Exterminators, we get calls about these wood-boring bees every season. You’re not alone in this fight, and the good news is, you can protect your home. Here’s what you need to know.
Is It Really a Carpenter Bee? Identifying the Culprit
First, let’s make sure we’re dealing with the right pest. It’s a common mix-up in WNY, but the difference is simple:
- Carpenter Bees: Have a shiny, black, bald abdomen (their backside).
- Bumblebees: Have a fuzzy abdomen with yellow markings.
If the bee has a shiny rear end, it’s a carpenter bee. Bumblebees are beneficial pollinators that nest in the ground; carpenter bees are solitary excavators that drill into your home.
The Telltale Signs of Carpenter Bee Damage
Once you’ve identified the bee, the evidence of their work is hard to miss.
- Perfectly Round Holes: You’ll find expertly drilled holes that are about a half-inch in diameter. Look for them on unpainted or weathered wood surfaces like eaves, fascia boards, decks, porch ceilings, and railings.
- Sawdust Piles: Below the entry hole, you might see a small pile of coarse sawdust, which is technically called “frass.” This is the wood the female bee has excavated.
- Scraping Sounds: In quiet moments, you may even hear a faint scraping or buzzing sound coming from within the wood as the female bee expands her gallery.
- Aggressive Hovering (From the Males): The males are territorial but lack a stinger. They are the ones that will buzz aggressively near you if you get too close to the nest, trying to intimidate you.
Why Your Buffalo-Area Home is a Prime Target
Carpenter bees aren’t eating the wood; they are tunneling through it to create galleries to lay their eggs. They prefer softwoods like pine, cedar, and redwood—common building materials for homes all over the Buffalo Niagara region.
After a long, harsh Western New York winter, any weathered or unpainted wood becomes a perfect target come springtime.
These bees are not just a nuisance; they can cause significant structural damage over time. They often return to the same nesting sites year after year, expanding their tunnel networks and creating more entry points for water, rot, and other pests.
Stopping the Damage: From DIY Fixes to Professional Solutions
So, how do you protect your property? You can take a few steps yourself, but it’s crucial to know when to call for help.
For minor or newly-noticed issues, prevention can be effective.
- Paint & Stain: Carpenter bees almost always attack bare, weathered wood. A fresh coat of paint or a thick varnish is one of the best deterrents.
- Seal Old Holes: In the fall, after the young bees have hatched and left the nest, you can plug the holes with wood putty or steel wool to prevent them from being used again next year. Never seal the holes in the spring or summer, as this will trap the bees inside, and they will simply chew a new way out.
While these steps can help, they often aren’t enough for a persistent or widespread infestation.
Trying to treat nests high up on a ladder can be dangerous, and store-bought sprays often provide only temporary relief. When you’re dealing with an established problem, you need a more comprehensive solution.
For a large or hard-to-reach infestation, effective and safe bee removal requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
Your Local Experts in Bee Control
Here at Buffalo Exterminators, we’ve been helping your neighbors across WNY protect their homes for years.
We understand that every home, from a lakeside cottage to a historic city residence, is unique. Our approach focuses not just on removing the current threat but on implementing strategies to prevent them from coming back.
We know the specific types of wood used in local construction and the exact time of year these pests become active in our area.
For a deeper dive into pest management strategies that work in our specific climate, the New York State Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell is an excellent resource that outlines the lifecycle and habits of carpenter bees.
Keeping your home’s exterior in top shape is a great preventative measure, and local resources like the WNY Home and Garden Expo can provide great ideas for bee-resistant materials and finishes.
Protect Your Investment and Your Peace of Mind
That buzzing bee isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a threat to your home’s integrity and value. You shouldn’t have to spend your beautiful Buffalo summer worrying about what’s happening inside your walls or under your deck.
If you’re tired of seeing new holes appear each spring and want a lasting solution, Buffalo Exterminators is here to help. Contact us today for a consultation and let our local experts provide the peace of mind that comes with a bee-free home.