|
|
 |
Family
Anthophoridae
Characteristics –
Size: The species of most importance are about 1-inch
long and have a robust, bee-like shape.
Color: Like bumblebees, carpenter bees are black with
some yellow. One carpenter bee species in the southwest, the valley
carpenter bee, has a metallic-black colored female and a tan colored
male.
Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees in both size and color. Most
carpenter bees have yellow hairs on their thorax but their abdomens
are all black and shiny with few hairs. However, bumblebees have
hairy abdomens, often with considerable amounts of yellow
coloration.
Behavior –
Carpenter bees chew out tunnels in wood in which to lay their eggs
and provide a protected site for their larvae to develop. The female
bee selects a suitable log or piece of wood and chews a round,
1/2-inch diameter tunnel into the wood. About one-inch deep, she
turns at a right angle and chews a tunnel (nest gallery) about 12
inches in length. The bits of wood she chews off are deposited
outside the nest and end up on the ground below. These bits of wood,
called frass, often are streaked yellow from pollen on the female s
legs. An egg will be deposited at the end of the nest gallery; the
female will then pack the gallery about an inch deep with pollen.
This process is repeated until the entire gallery has been filled.
The male carpenter bee guards the outside of the nest and tries to
chase away potential predators. He does not have a stinger, but
still causes concern with his aggressive buzzing if people venture
near the nest site.
Habitat – In nature, logs and dead trees and
limbs are the targets for carpenter bees as nest sites. On homes,
bare wood decks, fences, and window sills is usually attacked.
Painted wood, however, is subject to attack although bare wood is
preferred.
Tips for Control – Painting bare wood that is
being attacked by carpenter bees can deter some bees; however, it
does not offer the best solution.
 | If
the wood targeted by bees is treated with a residual pest
control product, carpenter bees may be repelled or killed by the
treatment.
|
| Once
holes have been started, the nest galleries may be treated.
|
| The
holes can be plugged several weeks later when it is positive
that the bees have been killed. |
|
|
