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Carpenter Bee Deterrence Project

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Xylocopa virginica, commonly known as the eastern carpenter bee, inhabits much of eastern North America and some of central North America. These bees are easily identifiable by their large, shiny, black, hairless abdomens and tendency to hover fearlessly near people on a warm, sunny day. Visually, males and females of this species can be differentiated by the male’s longer body and distinctive ivory or pale yellow facial markings; females possess completely black, wider heads. 

Male Carpenter Bee (left) vs. Female Carpenter Bee (right)

Left Photo by Robert Webster; Right Photo by Andrew Cannizzaro

What are they?

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Eastern Carpenter Bee

Photo by Melissa Benson

What do they do?

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Eastern carpenter bees emerge in early March to nest and reproduce. As its name suggests, the eastern carpenter bee builds its nests by excavating tunnels into dry, exposed wood. Females build their nests by boring entrances perpendicular to the face of the wood, then excavating tunnels by scraping off wood shavings along the wood grain. These shavings are then used to construct walls between nesting cells. Females usually nest together in couples or triplets; however, only one female builds the nest, forages supplies, and lays eggs. Old nests are commonly reused and expanded in following years. In the summer, the next generation emerges, overwinters, and continues the cycle the next spring. Males patrol nesting sites in March and April, mate with female bees, then die in the late spring. As intimidating as they may be, male carpenter bees are harmless; they cannot sting. 

What are we doing?

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Nesting areas frequently include steps, benches, porches, and other manmade structures. Unfortunately, this behavior has resulted in eastern carpenter bees being considered pests, and, as a result, a likely target for environmentally toxic insecticides.

 

NCSU’s Apiculture Lab is conducting a study to determine the effectiveness of non-toxic, non-lethal chemicals as carpenter bee repellents. These substances include methyl anthranilate (a common grape flavoring agent, additive in perfumes and fragrances, and effective bird repellent), and herbal peppermint essential oil. By applying these compounds to wooden benches around campus, we predict that we will observe a decrease in carpenter bee activity and nesting behavior and ultimately encourage the bees to nest elsewhere.

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Female Eastern Carpenter Bee Resting Beside Project Sign

Photo by Melissa Benson

Exposed Eastern Carpenter Bee Nest (Top)

and Eastern Carpenter Bee Resting (Bottom)

both within NCSU Campus Benches

Photos by Melissa Benson

What can you do?

As a friendly reminder, please do not touch or remove the repellent packet from the benches, as doing so would disturb our treatment. In addition, please leave the bees alone! Carpenter bees are generally docile and nonaggressive, important pollinators for open-faced flowers, and excellent ecosystem recyclers!

Want to learn more?

Sources

Eastern Carpenter Bee

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51110-Xylocopa-virginica

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Methyl Anthranilate (compound)

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methyl-Anthranilate#section=Uses 

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Species Xylocopa virginica - Eastern Carpenter Bee

https://bugguide.net/node/view/3509

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Xylocopa virginica

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Xylocopa_virginica/

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