Round Entrance Holes
Smooth, round holes approximately the size of a fingertip found in exposed or unfinished wood.
Local Carpenter Bee Inspection & Treatment
Carpenter Bee Control in Northern New Jersey
Carpenter bees drill into exposed wood around decks, porches, fascia boards, railings, trim and other wooden surfaces. Howey Pest Solutions provides professional carpenter bee treatments for homes and businesses throughout Northern New Jersey.
Family Owned
Locally operated in Northern NJ
Licensed & Insured
Professional pest management
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Trusted by local homeowners
90-Day Guarantee
On qualifying carpenter bee treatments
Carpenter Bee Identification
Carpenter Bees Can Cause Repeated Damage to Exposed Wood
Carpenter bees do not eat wood. Female bees drill smooth, round entrance holes and create tunnels inside the wood where they lay their eggs. These tunnels may be reused and expanded year after year.
Over time, repeated carpenter bee activity can damage trim, railings, fascia boards, decks, porches, sheds and other exposed wooden surfaces. Woodpeckers may also cause additional damage while attempting to reach the larvae inside the galleries.
Seeing Large Bees Near Your Deck?
Carpenter bees are often seen hovering near rooflines, decks, railings and wooden trim during spring. Males may act aggressive, but they do not have stingers. Females can sting but are generally not aggressive unless handled or threatened.
Warning Signs
Signs of Carpenter Bee Activity
Carpenter bee damage is often easy to recognize once you know what to look for.
Sawdust Below the Hole
Small piles of wood shavings or sawdust may collect beneath an active carpenter bee gallery.
Bees Hovering Near Wood
Large bees repeatedly flying around decks, fascia, railings, porches, pergolas or wooden trim.
Dark Staining
Brown or yellow staining may appear beneath active holes from carpenter bee waste and repeated activity.
Old Holes Being Reused
Carpenter bees often return to previously used galleries and may expand the tunnels over time.
Woodpecker Damage
Woodpeckers may tear open wood around carpenter bee galleries while searching for larvae.
Our Treatment Approach
Targeted Treatment of Active Carpenter Bee Galleries
Effective carpenter bee control requires treating the individual galleries and the wooden surfaces where bees are active. Simply spraying bees while they are flying may not reach the insects or larvae inside the wood.
- Inspection of decks, trim, fascia and exposed wood
- Identification of active entrance holes
- Dust treatment placed inside accessible galleries
- Targeted surface treatment where appropriate
- Recommendations for sealing and protecting the wood
- Information about activity after treatment
1
Inspect the Wooden Surfaces
We inspect the property for active holes, staining, sawdust, old galleries and areas likely to attract carpenter bees.
2
Identify Active Galleries
We determine which holes show current activity and which may be older, previously used tunnels.
3
Treat Inside the Galleries
A professional dust treatment is applied inside accessible carpenter bee holes to reach activity within the wood.
4
Recommend Wood Repairs
After activity has stopped, holes should be properly sealed and the wood painted, stained or otherwise protected.
Where Carpenter Bees Nest
Common Areas Around the Home
Carpenter bees prefer exposed, weathered or unfinished wood, especially in sunny and protected areas.
Decks and Railings
Deck boards, handrails, support beams and stair structures are
common carpenter bee nesting locations.
Fascia and Roof Trim
Carpenter bees frequently drill into fascia boards, rake boards,
soffit edges and wooden roofline trim.
Porches and Pergolas
Exposed beams, posts, ceiling boards and decorative wood may
attract repeated activity.
Sheds and Outbuildings
Unpainted siding, rafters, doors and trim on sheds and detached
structures may provide suitable nesting areas.
Window and Door Trim
Weathered wooden trim and framing around openings may be used for
galleries.
Log Homes and Cabins
Carpenter bees may target exposed logs, log siding, beams and
wooden overhangs.
90 DAYS
Carpenter Bee Guarantee
Dependable Treatment
Qualifying Carpenter Bee Treatments Include a 90-Day Guarantee
If covered carpenter bee activity returns in the treated areas during the guarantee period, contact our office to schedule a follow-up inspection and treatment. New activity in untreated wood or newly created holes may require additional service.
Prevention Tips
How to Help Prevent Carpenter Bee Damage
Protecting exposed wood and properly repairing old galleries can make the property less attractive to carpenter bees.
Paint or Stain Exposed Wood
Carpenter bees are generally more attracted to bare, weathered or
unfinished wooden surfaces.
Seal Old Holes Properly
After treatment and once activity has stopped, galleries should
be filled and sealed to discourage reuse.
Repair Damaged Wood
Replace badly damaged boards, trim and structural wood when
necessary.
Protect High-Risk Areas
Pay special attention to fascia boards, deck railings, porch
beams and other exposed wooden surfaces.
Use Appropriate Wood Materials
Composite materials, metal wrapping and properly finished wood
may reduce future nesting opportunities.
Schedule Early Treatment
Treating activity before galleries are expanded can help limit
damage and repeated nesting.
Ongoing Pest Protection
Carpenter Bee Control Is Included in Qualifying Home Defense Plans
Our Home Defense Plans provide preventative pest protection and service calls between scheduled visits for covered pests. Carpenter bee coverage depends on the selected plan and the areas included in the service.
Compare Home Defense Plans
Available Plan Options
- Home Defense Lite
- Home Defense
- Home Defense Plus
- Home Defense Premium
- Exterior and full-service options available
Local Carpenter Bee Control
Serving Homes and Businesses Across Northern New Jersey
Howey Pest Solutions provides carpenter bee inspections and treatments throughout Sussex County, Morris County, Warren County and parts of Passaic County.
Hamburg
Sparta
Newton
Vernon
Hardyston
Franklin
Lafayette
Wantage
Andover
Hopatcong
Byram
Stanhope
Randolph
Rockaway
Denville
Jefferson
Boonton
Kinnelon
Hackettstown
Blairstown
West Milford
Ringwood
Questions & Answers
Carpenter Bee Frequently Asked Questions
Do carpenter bees eat wood?
No. Carpenter bees remove wood to create tunnels and nesting galleries. They do not consume the wood.
Can carpenter bees damage my home?
Yes. A single gallery may cause limited damage, but repeated use and expansion over several years can weaken boards and create extensive cosmetic damage. Woodpeckers may also tear open the wood while searching for larvae.
Do carpenter bees sting?
Male carpenter bees may hover and act territorial, but they do not have stingers. Females can sting but usually do so only when handled or directly threatened.
Why do carpenter bees keep returning?
Carpenter bees may return to favorable wooden surfaces and reuse existing galleries. Untreated holes and exposed wood can attract activity year after year.
Should the holes be sealed immediately?
Active galleries should generally be treated before they are sealed. Closing an untreated hole may trap bees inside or cause them to create another exit.
How long does carpenter bee treatment take to work?
Activity usually decreases as bees enter treated galleries. Some bees may remain visible temporarily, especially when multiple galleries are present.
Does your treatment include a guarantee?
Qualifying carpenter bee treatments include a 90-day guarantee for covered activity in the treated areas. New holes in untreated areas may require additional service.
Is carpenter bee control included in Home Defense?
Carpenter bee coverage is included in qualifying Home Defense Plans. Coverage and included structures depend on the selected plan.
Seeing Carpenter Bees Around Your Home?
Schedule a professional carpenter bee inspection with Howey Pest Solutions. We will locate active galleries, explain the treatment options and help protect your wooden surfaces from additional damage.
We treat every home like it is our own. From our family to yours.
