Spring in New Jersey usually brings blooming flowers, warmer days, and unfortunately, the low-frequency drone of carpenter bees. While these large, shiny black bees often look like bumblebees, they possess a much more destructive habit. Instead of nesting in hives, they bore perfectly round holes into the wood of your home. Understanding their life cycle is the first step in protecting your property this season.
The Carpenter Bee Lifecycle
The journey of a carpenter bee begins long before you see them hovering near your eaves. Adult bees overwinter in abandoned nest tunnels, sheltered from the harsh New Jersey cold. As temperatures rise in April and May, they emerge to mate and build new nests. This period marks the start of their most active and destructive season.
Once they emerge, females immediately begin their work. They seek out unpainted, weathered wood—decks, siding, and fascia boards are prime targets. Using their strong mandibles, they chew half-inch diameter entrance holes. However, the damage doesn’t stop at the surface. Inside the wood, the female excavates a gallery of tunnels. She lays her eggs in individual cells, provisioning each with a ball of pollen and nectar for the developing larvae.
New Jersey’s Carpenter Bee Season
For homeowners in New Jersey, vigilance is key from late spring through early summer. While you might see them as early as April, May and June are peak months for drilling activity. You will likely notice sawdust, known as “frass,” accumulating beneath the holes. This is a clear indicator that excavation is underway.
The larvae develop inside the tunnels throughout the summer, transforming from white grubs into adults. By late summer or early fall, a new generation of adults emerges to feed briefly on nectar before preparing to hibernate. They often return to the same tunnels to survive the winter, perpetuating the cycle and compounding the damage year after year.
Protecting Your Home
Ignoring these pests can lead to significant structural issues and water damage. If you spot perfectly round holes or hovering bees, don’t wait for the damage to spread. Contact Allison Pest Control today to schedule a free pest inspection and secure your home against wood-boring threats.
