I think that this has been on the list before but for whatever
good it does, this is the story on Carpenter Bees.
 
Carpenter Bees do look like Bumble Bees but they are a different
species.  They are both in the family Apidae but Carpenter Bees
are the subfamily Xylocopinae and Bumble bees are the subfamily
apinae.
 
Bumble Bees live in colonies similar to honey bees.  The Carpenter
Bees does not maintain a nest nor does it use wholes already drilled.
The holes that the Carpenter Bee makes in wood is a chamber to raise
their young.  They eat into the wood about one inch and then make a
right angle turn and eat for up to 4 or 5 inches.  They capture insects,
place them in the hole they have made, lay an egg on the insect and
the when the Carpenter Bee larva hatches it lives on the insect.
 
While one hole might not cause much trouble, several holes can
seriously weaken a timber.  Purdue University entomologists say that
the best control is to use an insecticide, Sevin, in a powder form.
It should be blown into the hole using the type of duster used in
gardens to dust plants.  Liquid insecticide does not work because
it drys into the wood and the bee does not come into contact with it.
The powder form stays in the hole and the bee contacts the insecticide
coming and going into the hole.
 
One caution,  Sevin is highy toxic to all bees. NEVER store it near
bee equipment or spray it on or around bee hives.
 
Charlie
                                                     - -
"One today is worth two tomorrows" Ben Franklin     (0 0)
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Charles R. Bradley
Extension Educator
Marshall County Extension Office
112 W. Jefferson Street  Room 304
Plymouth, IN 46563
Phone:  219-935-8545
Fax:    219-935-8612
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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