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Martin County 104 Kehukee Park Road Williamston, NC 27892 (252) 792-1621 Phone (252) 792-2408 Fax MAP 
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Carpenter Bees have been quite active during these warm days. You will find these large, black and yellow bees hovering near wooden structures such as decking, deck chairs, fence rails, house eaves and flowers collecting pollen. They are frequently mistaken for bumble bees, but can be distinguished by their shiny, black tail section (bumble bees have tail sections covered with yellow hairs). The female drills a tunnel into the wood, usually in protected areas such as the underside or end of rails or planking. A small pile of course sawdust beneath the hole is usually a good indicator of carpenter bee activity. Eggs are laid individually and sealed off in separate chambers of the tunnel where the hatching larva feeds on a ball of pollen. After completing the larval and pupal stages, adults emerge through the tunnel. Structural damage is not usually serious unless multiple tunneling continues over successive years, woodpeckers chisel into or raccoons chew into tunnels. To control carpenter bees, apply an insecticidal dust (such as 5% or 10% Sevin) or spray which is labeled for use against bees, directly into and around the tunnel. Apply any insecticides carefully; avoid spraying when it is windy and stand "upwind" of the target area. After a few days, plug the holes with a dowel or with putty. Using a plug made of wire mesh or a steel wool pad will effectively close the hole, but without any treatment, new tunneling and holes are likely to by made by a trapped adult or later by the adults emerging from within the tunnel chambers. DISCLAIMER: Recommendations for use of chemicals are included in this newsletter as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services does not imply endorsement by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical.
Revised 2/16/2006.
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