Influx Of Carpenter Bees Expected This Spring

Upper Cumberland residents should expect to see an increase of carpenter bees this spring.

Putnam County Ag Extension Agent Wayne Key said carpenter bees survived the winter and are emerging this spring to feed on nectar.

“The reason for it is because we had such a mild winter,” Key said. “We didn’t have a lot of cold or bone chilling, subarctic temperatures to kill any of those small insects.”

Key said carpenter bees are wood burrowing insects that dig into exposed lumber to create nests. A home is more likely to suffer damage from carpenter bees if there is any uncovered wood on the exterior of the house.

“Carpenter bees can be very damaging because when they do burrow those holes, they go directly up and then dig horizontal through the wood,” Key said.

Once the carpenter bees create their nests, they leave a hole in the wood. Keys said these holes are an invitation for wood burrowing birds to dig and cause some major damage.

“If homes do have exposed wood, spray it with a permethrin spray, so when the bees begin to feed, that poison can keep them from burrowing in,” Key said.

Another common way to prevent wood damage from carpenter bees is a simple DIY project. Key said to leave a jar in a wooden box with a small hole as the only entry point. The carpenter bee will enter and not be able to find its way out.