Independent guides — we are not an exterminator. If someone has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911. Safety basics

Bees & Wasps · Pest guide

Bees control

Carpenter bees drilling fascia boards and honey bee swarms: protect the bees and the house.

When to call a pro

Bees at a glance

Scientific name
Xylocopa (carpenter bees), Apis mellifera (honey bees)
Size
1/2 to 1 inch (13–25 mm)
Appearance
Carpenter bees: shiny black abdomen; honey bees: fuzzy, golden-brown
Where found
Fascia, eaves, decks and untreated wood (carpenter bees); wall voids, trees (honey bees)
  • Health riskModerate
  • Property damageModerate
  • Do it yourself?DIY or pro
When bees are active Peak: May–Jun
  1. Jan Rare
  2. Feb Rare
  3. Mar Low
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Active
  8. Aug Active
  9. Sep Low (this month)
  10. Oct Rare
  11. Nov Rare
  12. Dec Rare

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Perfectly round 1/2-inch holes in wood with sawdust below
  • Bees hovering near eaves in spring
  • A swarm clustered on a branch or wall

Call a professional when

  • Honey bees nesting inside a wall (call a beekeeper for live removal)
  • Anyone in the home is allergic to stings
How to choose a pest control company

Safety first

Honey bees are vital pollinators. A swarm usually moves on in a day or two; local beekeepers often collect swarms for free.

Our bees guides are being researched. Meanwhile, the profile above covers the signs, the risks and when to call a professional.

Keep bees out

  1. Paint or stain exposed wood
  2. Fill old carpenter bee holes in autumn
  3. Seal gaps in siding and soffits

Often confused or found together

All bees & wasps
Wasps & Yellow Jackets Paper wasps, yellow jackets and hornets: nest removal, traps and sting safety. Termites Silent wood damage. How to spot swarmers, mud tubes and frass before the repair bill grows. Birds Pigeons, woodpeckers and nesting birds: deterrents that are legal and humane.
Photo credits

Thank you to Alvesgaspar and Discott for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0