Best Bee Brothers Bee Blog

So, you think you may have a carpenter bee problem? Here are some simple facts to help you know if your unwanted guests are indeed carpenter bees. First: What Are Carpenter Bees? Although frequently mistaken for bumblebees, carpenter bees are very different from their relatives. The carpenter bee is one of many species of bees that belong to the Xylocopa genus. Carpenter bees get their name from their unique nesting habits. This destructive pest usually builds its nest out of natural, unfinished wood and can cause expensive damage to your property. Although all under one name, there are many types...

A warm summer night. An ice cold drink in your hand. A little fire out on the back patio. Just when you think all's right with the world...buzz, buzz, buzz, SLAP! Of all the world’s pests, mosquitoes have got to be some of the most aggravating. Luckily, if you know when they’re coming and how long they are staying, you can prepare for them just as you would with any other unwanted house guest. Most people know that mosquitoes prefer warm, wet areas. More specifically, the magical number is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When the weather begins to warm and...

The easiest and most efficient way to keep wood bees away from your wood structures is by utilizing a natural wood bee trap. Here are some other helpful tips and tricks to keep wood bees away from your house and deck: Existing Wood Bee Nests.  If there are any existing nests they should be plugged up as soon as possible. Wood bees are highly territorial. They will defend their own nest and keep other wood boring bees away from the area.  If your trap isn’t working properly, there is a good chance there could be some nests nearby that are discouraging any other wood...

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a termite bee?!  While the idea of a termitic bee might conjure up Frankenstein’s monster–esque images of large mandibles, chomping jaws and a bright yellow-and-black body to match, know that you’re safe. No such creature actually exists (at least outside the realm of science fiction). But that hasn’t stopped the popular nickname from circulating around various media outlets. Termite bee, wood-boring bee, wood bee, the big black bee…carpenter bees have about as many aliases as a career criminal! Given their tendency to drill perfectly neat holes into your home, it’s no wonder they are...

When the long overwinter season has finally passed, carpenter bees emerge from their nests (or, more accurately, from their tunnels) in search of food and a mate. This process begins as the weather warms in spring and will continue throughout the summer months. We’ve already identified several characteristics of carpenter bees, but now let’s focus on their offspring: baby carpenter bees. Do Carpenter Bees Mate? The short answer here is yes! Like most animal species on planet earth, carpenter bees mate in order to reproduce. While mating rituals may differ slightly from species to species, one interesting example is the...