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Carpenter bee control in Toronto, the GTA and cottage country
Carpenter bees look like bumble bees but have a shiny, mostly hairless black abdomen. In spring they bore round holes into decks, fascia, eaves and other bare or weathered wood to lay their eggs.
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How to identify carpenter bees
How to tell them apart from bumble bees.
Carpenter bees
Shiny black abdomen with little or no hair. Males hover near nests but can't sting.
Bumble bees
Fuzzy abdomen with yellow bands. They nest in the ground or in old rodent burrows, not in wood.
Signs to look for
- Round holes about 12 mm wide in bare or weathered wood
- Coarse sawdust under holes in decks, eaves and fascia
- Large bees hovering around eaves or decks in spring
- Yellowish staining below holes, and woodpecker damage nearby
Why carpenter bees come inside
What draws them in
Carpenter bees look for bare, unpainted or weathered softwood to tunnel into. They often return to the same spots year after year and extend old tunnels.
Health and home risks
Males are territorial but can't sting, and females rarely sting unless handled. The bigger concern is damage: tunnels weaken wood over the years, and woodpeckers tear into the wood looking for the young.
How we handle carpenter bees
Find active holes
We inspect decks, eaves, fascia, fences and sheds for active tunnels.
Treat the tunnels
Targeted treatment applied into active holes.
Plug after treatment
Advice on plugging treated holes once activity stops.
Protect the wood
Advice on painting or staining bare wood so bees choose somewhere else.
Prevention tips
- Paint or stain bare and weathered wood
- Fill old holes in the fall once bees have left
- Keep fascia, eaves and deck boards in good repair
- Use hardwood or treated wood for new projects where you can
- Book a treatment in spring when bees first appear
Common questions about carpenter bees
Do carpenter bees sting?
Males can't sting, though they may buzz close to you. Females can, but rarely do unless handled.
Do carpenter bees eat wood?
No. They chew tunnels to nest in and push the sawdust out, but they don't eat the wood.
Related pests
Reviewed by PestDepart's licensed exterminators. For health concerns, including bites or stings, contact your doctor or local public health unit.