Termite Inspector CT: Carpetner Bee Damage
Termite Inspector CT: Carpetner Bee Damage. Carpenter bees usually construct nests in exterior wood such as siding, fascia boards, trim, and log homes. A round hole is chewed in the wood surface then a tunnel is bored, usually at 90 degrees to the entrance.
The tunnels that are constructed by the female carpenter bee in CT may be re-used and made larger year after year. This tunneling eventually weakens the wood.
Standard wood finishes like paint will often prevent damage from these bees. Unfinished wood surfaces are far more likely to be attacked by CT Carpenter bees than finished wood. Paint works better than stain to resist a carpenter bee attack but according to CT Termite Inspectors, even just stain is better than no finish at all.
The bottom line is that heavier, thicker finishes are best. Softer wood such as pine or fir is generally selected by female bees for tunnel-making.
Carpenter bee holes should be repaired to prevent bees from enlarging the tunnels year after year. If left open these entrance holes may allow water and rot to attack wood, which in the long run will cause more damage than the bees themselves.
To repair CT carpenter bee damage you’ll need some exterior caulk and 3/8″-1/2″ plugs, and an insecticide to treat the holes and tunnels.
