Revised 6/13/19

 

Carpenter Bees are considered a wood-destroying insect because they tunnel into wood to lay their eggs – but they do not actually consume the wood. Bare, unpainted or weathered softwoods are preferred – especially redwood, cedar, cypress and pine, usually 2 inches thick or more. Painted or pressure-treated wood is much less susceptible to attack. Common nesting sites include eaves, window trim, facia boards, siding, wooden shakes, decks and outdoor furniture.

 

Male Carpenter Bees can be quite aggressive, often hovering in front of people who are around the nests. But they are quite harmless because they lack stingers. On the other hand, female Carpenter Bees can inflict a painful sting – but seldom will they sting unless handled or molested.

 

The Carpenter Bee begins her nest by drilling a nearly perfectly round entrance hole (about ½ inch) into the wood. This hole is usually against the grain of the wood. When the tunnel is about 1 inch deep, the bee turns at right angles to the initial hole and tunnels with the grain of the wood to build out with expanding tunnels and galleries, or “brood chambers.”

 

Inside these galleries, the female bee gradually builds a large pollen ball which serves as food for her offspring. She deposits an egg near this pollen ball and then seals off this section of tunnel to ensure the egg’s development. She constructs additional cells in this manner until the tunnel is completely filled, usually with six to seven cells (depending on the length of the tunnel).

 

The eggs hatch in a few days and the offspring complete their development in about 5 to 7 weeks. Adults begin to emerge in late summer. Although these bees remain active, they do not construct new tunnels, but may be seen cleaning out old tunnels which they will use as overwintering sites when the weather turns cold. Occasionally, several bees use the same entrance hole, but they have individual galleries branching off of the main tunnel. If the same entrance hole is used for several years, tunnels may extend several feet in the wood.

 

While the damage to wood from drilling activities of a single bee is slight, the successive year’s broods will expand the tunnel through branching activities and may cause considerable structural damage.

 

 

6 STEPS OF SERVICE

 

Following the 6 Steps of Service:

• Meet the homeowner or tenant and listen to any concerns.

• Inform the customer of your general inspection and treatment plans.

• Let them know what you expect to see while treating and ask if they are currently experiencing any mosquito issues.

• Explain what they can expect from the treatment.

 

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SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

 

Inspection:

• Inspect the entire outside, looking for Carpenter Bee harborage areas and access points.

• Inspect all areas that could provide conducive conditions to Carpenter Bee activity.

• Inspect all exterior areas of the structure, especially in eaves, facia boards, window sills and framing, wooden decks and railings, crawlspaces, etc.

• Look for large round holes (usually about ½ inch) with sawdust (“frass”) in wood surfaces of the structure.

 

Approved Product List:

• Outside Treatment: Cyper WP; Temprid

• Dusting Treatment: Borid Dust

 

Outside Treatment:

• Start at the right front corner of the structure.

• Treat with hand or back-pack sprayer all windows and door entrances.

• With back-pack sprayer or tank sprayer hose, treat eaves, facia boards, wooden decks and railings, and other wood members susceptible to attack.

• Continue to the right of the property until back at your starting point.

• Stay at least 10 feet away from all ponds and other water areas.

• Wear long sleeves and a respirator on windy days.

• While providing treatment, examine for other pests living outside to recommend other A-1 services.

 

Dusting Treatment:

• Start at the right front corner of the structure.

• Treat as many visually observed individual Carpenter Bee access holes as possible.

 

Carpenter Bee Hole Plugging:

• If the customer wants the holes plugged, they may do so after 2 weeks.

• If A-1 plugs the holes, there is a $125 per hour charge – minimum $125 (usually done 2-3 months AFTER the Carpenter Bee treatment).

• Apply residual Dust in exterior cracks and Carpenter Bee holes and galleries with a duster.

• Seal as many exterior openings as possible. The Carpenter Bees are looking for cracks that will protect entrances. Plug and caulk these cracks and crevices.

• Carpenter Bees will sometimes reuse holes from the previous season to continue the egg-laying process.

• It is best to plug the holes during the fall months. If you plug the holes too soon, the Carpenter Bees may make another hole to exit.

 

Other Notes:

• Prior to conducting any inspection or treatment, ensure all equipment and materials are available for job completion.

• While providing treatment, examine for termites and other pests living outside to recommend other A-1 services.

 

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6 STEPS OF SERVICE (continued)

 

Continuing to follow the 6 Steps of Service:

• Let the customer know what was found and what was done. If the customer is not available, leave a “Door Hanger” with written notes specifying what was found, what was done, and any recommendations deemed necessary.

• Inform the customer what to expect over the next few days, weeks, months, etc. Set clear expectations for upcoming visits.

• Ask the customer: “Do you have any other Pest Control needs I can take care of today?”

• If the customer does NOT already have a Home Shield service, ask them, “May I tell you about our routine service for continuous pest protection for your family?”

• Ask the customer, “If you feel that I provided you with good service today, I’d like to invite you to give us a positive online review – we’ll make it very easy for you.”

 

 

NO WARRANTY – 1-Time Service

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