Wood Trouble: How to Spot and Stop Carpenter Bee Damage in Coastal Georgia

Carpenter Bees in Savannah: What’s Buzzing Around Your Home?

Carpenter bees may look like harmless bumblebees, but don’t be fooled—they can cause significant damage to your home if left unchecked. These wood-boring insects are common in coastal Georgia, especially during the warmer months when they’re most active. If you're noticing round holes in your wood trim, railings, fences, or eaves, carpenter bees might be the culprits.

So, what makes these bees such a problem? Female carpenter bees bore perfectly round holes into untreated or weathered wood to create nesting tunnels. Over time, these tunnels can weaken structural wood and invite additional pests like woodpeckers, who dig deeper to feed on the larvae inside. It's a silent but costly form of damage that many Savannah homeowners don't spot until it's too late.

Signs of Carpenter Bee Activity

To protect your property from carpenter bee damage, keep an eye out for these signs:

• Perfectly round holes (usually ½ inch in diameter) in wooden structures

• Sawdust or wood shavings beneath these entry points

• Buzzing or hovering bees around your porch, deck, or roofline

• Yellowish staining near entry holes (from waste or pollen)

• Increased woodpecker activity, which often follows carpenter bees

Early detection is key. Carpenter bees tend to return to the same nesting sites year after year, so once they’ve settled in, the problem can grow rapidly.

How to Prevent and Stop Carpenter Bee Damage

Here are a few ways to prevent carpenter bees from making your home their next nesting ground:

• Paint or seal exposed wood – Bees prefer untreated, bare wood.

• Use hardwoods or composite materials for decking and trim when possible.

• Install screens or covers over exposed areas and crevices.

• Play defense early in the season – Carpenter bees emerge in spring, so early prevention makes a big difference.

• Avoid DIY sprays – These often fail to reach the nesting chambers and can drive bees deeper into the wood.

For existing infestations, professional bee control is often necessary. Carpenter bees require targeted treatments and follow-up strategies to ensure the colony is eliminated and future nesting is deterred.

Call the Pros at Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control

Don’t let buzzing invaders chew through your peace of mind. If you've spotted signs of carpenter bees around your Savannah home, Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control is here to help. Our team understands the unique pest pressures of coastal Georgia and offers expert solutions tailored to your property. We’ll identify the problem, treat the infestation, and help prevent future damage — all with the professionalism and care you expect from a trusted local pest control company.