The Difference between Carpenter Bees and Bumble Bees in Acton, Massachusetts

carpenter bees bumble bees

With the warm weather of spring in full bloom, insects are out in droves in Acton, Massachusetts. Among the bugs often seen flying around homes and yards are the hover-happy carpenter bee and the delightful bumble bee. While these two look similar, they are actually quite different species and understanding the distinctions can help keep your family and your yard safe. F&W Pest Control has years of experience controlling both populations and can do the same for your home today.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees, Xylocopa spp., get their name from the fact that they tend to make nests in wood, usually in the form of tunnels burrowed into beam or wooden siding. They are usually 1? 2 -1 inch in size and resemble bumble bees with the exception that they have a shiny black abdomen with little to no hair. Many people mistake large houseflies for carpenter bees, making a proper ID essential for control.

Carpenter bees are known to visit yards and gardens for the nectar of flowers they feed on, but will rarely sting unless provoked. While this is often a source of comfort for most, these bees should not be taken lightly. As previously mentioned, carpenter bees? habitat of choice is wood. This choice leads to potential damages to a home’s siding, deck, fence and other structures. Because of this, the females may need to be controlled if they are discovered building nests near your home.

Bumble Bees

Bumble bees, Bombus spp., are known for their fuzzy appearance, large size, and generally docile behavior. Bumble bees are social insects, living in large colonies like their honey bee cousins. They often begin nesting on the ground, around hills or other open areas. As spring and summer progress, they may move inside wall voids or insulation voids near the frame of the house.

Unlike carpenter bees, bumble bees rarely build nests in wood and do not eat wood for sustenance. Like their cousin, the honey bee, bumble bees are necessary pollinators for yards and gardens. Unfortunately, their tendency of building nests near or inside homes can make them potential pests. They can become aggressive when protecting their nest and may sting multiple times if provoked. As with the carpenter bee, it may be necessary to remove or control a bumble bee colony for the safety of your home and family.

Control Solutions

Carpenter bees and bumble bees may enter and nest around a home each spring or summer. For homes in the Acton area, F&W’s integrated pest management approach (IPM) offers the most effective solution. This approach combines strategic methods of exclusion and removal with targeted applications, allowing homeowners to safely remove infestations and protect their homes from further damage.

At F&W, our technicians understand the importance of pest control while being respectful of the environment and your wallet. We pride ourselves on using environmentally responsible solutions to keep your home safe from pests. With the wide array of services we offer, from one-time solutions to year-round maintenance plans, F&W is sure to have a solution tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

While the carpenter bee and bumble bee may look similar, the two are very different creatures, each requiring unique solutions to eliminate and prevent infestations. At F&W Pest Control, we strive to provide professional quality solutions to pest control in Acton, MAS with the environmentally responsible care of a DIY approach. Trust our expert exterminators to get rid of your mosquitoes this season and give you back the peace of mind you deserve. Get a free quote to start debugging your space today.

Pest Control Near Me

Searching for an easy fix to your pest problems? Here at F&W Pest Control, our exterminators will treat an array of different pest issues including termites, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and more! Long-term protection is right at your reach with the help of our highly trained team of exterminators in the Greater Boston area. Don’t allow pests to take over your home, put your trust in our pest control services to ensure a pest-free home. With our help, you won’t have to spend any more free time implementing DIY extermination methods!