Carpenter Bees are wood destroying insects that are most commonly found hovering around homes, sheds, and garages. We will show you how to treat for carpenter bees.
Why do I have carpenter bees?
Carpenter bees tend to damage unpainted and untreated wood. Often we will find them under railings and under flashing. These areas are often not painted because you can’t see them.
Carpenter bees will find the smallest of areas that are unpainted and untreated and make their 1/2″ holes.
Some carpenter bees will damage and drill unto painted and treated wood. Painting or staining your wood is a good general deterrent but will not prevent all carpenter bees from damage.
Find the carpenter bee holes
carpenter bee exit hole and excrement
Sometimes the carpenter bee holes are visible and easily seen. Other times, we can see the carpenter bees hovering around but don’t see the holes.
Finding and treating the carpenter bee exit holes is the ONLY effective way of resolving your carpenter bee infestation.
If the carpenter bee exit holes are not visible, then we need to look for other evidence. When carpenter bees chew into the wood, they excrete wood onto the surface opposite the hole.
This yellow or brown excrement will tell you exactly where the carpenter bee hole is.
Another method to find the carpenter bee exit hole is to look for the pile of sawdust. Since they are chewing into the wood, the bees create a pile of sawdust directly UNDER where the hole is.
Treat EACH and EVERY hole with an insect dust
carpenter bee damage
Spraying at the carpenter bees or spraying the carpenter bee holes is NOT an effective treatment strategy. The carpenter bees make very elaborate and deep channels within the wood and a spray will simply not reach deep into the wood.
We recommend using an insect dust labeled and listed to treat carpenter bees. In the video above we used a product called Tempo Dust. Delta Dust, Alpine Dust, and others are also very effective at treating for carpenter bees.
Using a duster, which is a tool used to apply dust, treat each and every carpenter bee hole. This may sound like a daunting task, but treating every carpenter bee hole does 3 things for us:
Kills the carpenter bees that are in the carpenter bee holes and channels
Will kill the carpenter bees when they return to their holes if they aren’t currently in there
The dust will kill any new carpenter bees that hatch in the wood
Make sure to find and treat EVERY single carpenter bee exit hole that you can. Look for holes AND the evidence of holes such as saw dust and excrement.
The dust, unlike a spray or aerosol, will permeate throughout the chambers and galleries in the wood. Dust will also last SIGNIFICANTLY longer than sprays and aerosols.
carpenter bee after treatment
After you treat the carpenter bees holes with a dust you start to see the carpenter bees emerge from the holes. The bees will be covered in the white dust and will fall from their holes.
Within a few hours you will notice significantly less carpenter bees flying around.
When should you call a professional to treat for carpenter bees?
Treating for carpenter bees around a shed or deck can be pretty straightforward. You should call a professional if the carpenter bees are:
Too high off the ground. Professional exterminators have tools and ladders to reach carpenter bee holes very high off the ground.
You can’t find the holes. Finding the holes is the ONLY way to effectively resolve your carpenter bee issue.
You’re not comfortable being around flying insects. As you are treating the holes, the carpenter bees will be flying around and hovering in and near your personal space.
Need a carpenter bee expert?
carpenter bee treatments
We are experts in treating and resolving carpenter bee infestations. We service South Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania. Prudential Pest Solutions is a fully licensed and insured, family and veteran owned and operated pest control company.
Talk with carpenter bee expert!
Give us a call or text us at (484) 401-4361 to speak with a carpenter bee treatment expert.
Where do we service and treat for carpenter bees?
We service and treat for carpenter bees in South Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania including:
We had a client recently that said they were seeing ants by the front door. The front door area is a common area where ants enter a home. As we will see, the ants weren’t coming in the front door, but under the floor!
Why are the ants by the front door?
Besides the kitchen, the front door area is a hot spot for ant and insect activity. This is because the front door area of a home is designed for allowing entrance and egress to and from the home.
Oftentimes, ants and other pests can simply walk right under the front door! Making sure you have a functioning weather seal under your door will keep pests out and probably save you money on your heating and cooling bills!
Ants like moisture!
When you go outside from your front door, what do you see? Often people have porches, decks, or stairs coming off from their front door. Moisture is a HUGE attractant for ants and pests and the area outside of your front door is a huge MAGNET for moisture!
Affordable Ant Control West Chester
How did we actually treat the ant infestation?
We can use a multitude of treatment options to eradicate an ant infestation. In the scenario above, where the ants were under the floor boards, we performed the following treatment:
When we removed the HVAC vent cover and saw the ants and the EGGS, we decided to use a spray treatment method to eradicate the ant infestation. We chose this method over baiting, dust, aerosol and other methods because the nest was open and EXPOSED.
Whenever you find the nest itself, it is always best to spray and eradicate it then and there.
What happens if the ant nest isn’t exposed or can’t be accessed?
If the nest was not exposed, and we saw the ants coming and going from under the floor boards, then we would have used a different treatment method.
Ant Baits
Ant baits work by taking advantage of the ant’s social nature and social structure. Bait is applied to where the worker ants will come across it and feed on it. The workers then take the bait back to the nest and feed it to their fellow ants.
If the bait works too fast and kills the worker, then it will not make it back to the colony. Baits work great for active ant trails.
Other Ant Treatment Methods
In the scenario above, we could have applied dust, foam, or an aerosol to the crevice where the ants were coming and going from under the floor. These methods can work similar to the bait by using transference properties but do not rely on being a food source.
Dust treatments often have a very long residual life making them great for long term ant and insect control.
Affordable Ant Treatments West Chester
Need an affordable ant exterminator?
Prudential Pest Solutions is a full service, fully licensed and insured ant control and exterminator company. We are Family and Veteran owned so you can trust us to handle your ant issue!
As a Marine Corps Veteran with a degree in Biology from Penn State University, I promise you haven’t met an ant exterminator like me before!
Where do we service for ants?
We service all of South Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania including:
How to keep animals out from under your porch and shed.
Burrowing wildlife species such as skunks and groundhogs LOVE to make homes and dens under existing structures. Often, we find skunk and groundhogs living under sheds, porches, and decks.
groundhog skunk den under porch
Why not just use chicken wire or stones to block the opening?
Using chicken wire or stones to block off an existing den opening often does not work to keep wildlife out from under the structure.
This is because skunks and groundhogs are BUILT to dig! They can easily move objects blocking their path or simply dig UNDER the obstruction.
Many homeowners try and use chicken wire to screen off the bottom of a deck, porch, or shed. The problem is that the homeowner does not BURY the chicken wire into the ground. This critical deficiency leads to animals being able to pry the wire open or dig under it.
Wildlife Prevention Method #1
wildlife prevention under porch
We find that the best way to prevent and exclude wild animals such as skunks and groundhogs from making a home under your structure is to use galvanized hardware cloth.
This thick and durable screening is buried approximately 18-24″ deep and bent outwards 90 degrees. Even if the animal digs at the metal hardware cloth, it will always hit the metal and never be able to gain access to under the structure!
trenching around porch to install wildlife exclusion
Wildlife Prevention Method #2
Another option to keep wildlife and animals out from under structures is to use a product called DigDefence.
DigDefence is a series of metal gates that are embedded at the base of a shed, deck, or porch to create the same type of blocking design as mentioned above.
The key differences between DigDefence and using hardware cloth are that the DigDefence does NOT require trenching or digging. Hardware cloth, although more labor intensive to install, does provide that key and critical 90 degree outward bend to really deter burrowing animals.
Wildlife Exclusion and Prevention Experts
Wildlife Control Services, Wildlife Trapping, Wildlife Removal, Wildlife Exclusion
Prudential Pest Solutions is a Veteran and Family owned and operated pest control and wildlife control company. We are licensed by the State of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to humanely, professionally, and effectively handle and resolve ANY wildlife issue you have.
As a Marine Corps Veteran with a degree in Biology from Penn State, I promise you haven’t met an animal removal specialist like me before!
Where do we service?
We service all of South Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania including:
We are licensed to humanely and effectively handle and remove ANY wildlife issue you have. Some of the many species we are experts at dealing with include:
Seeing ants with wings can mean one of two things are happening. You either have an ant problem, or a TERMITE problem. So the question is “are flying ants actually termites?!”
flying termite and termite swarmer
Ants and termites are similar in their colony habits and culture. Both termites and ants create winged reproductives, called alates or swarmers. Their job is to leave the colony, reproduce, and form new colonies.
Seeing winged ants or termites strongly indicates that a colony is in the house or in the immediate area.
How do you know if your winged pests are termites or ants?
termite swarmer and flying ant
Most homeowners are not certified entomologists. Do not fear, there are several basic identification indicators to determine whether your winged alates are termites or ants.
Look at the wings
Termite swarmers will have 2 pairs of wings that are the same size
Ant alates will have 2 pairs or wings that are different lengths.
Look at the body
Termite Swarmers will have a long, smooth body.
Ant Swarmers will have “pinch points” along their body called nodes. The number of nodes will depend on the species of ant.
What other evidence do you have?
termite infestation and termite swarmers
If you have been seeing a lot of ants in your home all season, then it would be likely to see winged ants as well. If you have an ant nest in your home, the winged reproductive alates will also be in your home.
Termites, since they are subterranean, will NOT be visible in the home. This is why they are known as the silent destroyers. Termite activity and damage can go unnoticed for years!
Seeing winged alates and swarmers once or twice a year without seeing any ants in the house could mean a termite problem. Especially if the winged reproductives are only localized in at a specific window sill during a specific time of year.
termite swarmers and alates
Why do termite swarmers look like ants and not termites?
Subteranean termites are small, and clear or white in color. Their color is based on their lack of sunlight due to living underground and in wood.
The winged ants, or swarmers or alates, of the termite colony have a dark color to them. This allows them to go above ground in search of a reproductive mate. Once they have mated, they will return to the ground and start a new termite colony.
Why are termites called flying ants?
Most homeowners have never seen a termite. Ants, on the other hand, are extremely common and can be found most places. Since the termite swarmers resemble ants in size and general appearance, most homeowners just refer to them as flying ants.
How do I know if I have termites or ants?
termite swarmers and flying termites
If you are seeing winged ants or swarmers in your home and are still unsure if you have termites or ants, its time to call in the professionals.
Having a professional and experienced exterminator come to your home can provide valuable knowledge about your specific pest problem.
Letting an ant issue go is not as bad as letting a termite infestation destroy your home! When in doubt, get the pros to come out!
How do I hire the best termite exterminators?
Termite Protection and Warranties
When it comes to termites and other pests that can damage and destroy your home, you need the best and more experienced exterminators.
If you live in South Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania, we can help!
Termite Control and Treatments
termidor he certified professional
We provide a full range of termite control and treatment options to our clients. Some of the many termite services we provide include:
Prudential Pest Solutions is a family and veteran owned pest control and exterminator company
We are a full service, fully licensed and insured pest control and exterminator company. As a veteran and family owned and operated company, you can trust that we have your best interests in mind.
As a Marine Corps Veteran with a degree in Biology from Penn State University, I promise you haven’t met an exterminator like me before!
How to schedule a free termite consultation?
Give us a call or text us at (484) 401-4361 to speak with one of our termite experts.
The invasive spotted lanternfly causes significant damage to agriculture crops in Pennsylvania. Homeowners need to know what trees spotted lanternfly damage so they can protect their property.
Birch Trees are a favorite of Spotted Lanternfly
There are many sub species of birch trees in Pennsylvania. The most common that we find in neighborhoods and develops are the ornamental birch species.
River Birch are very common ornamental trees we find in neighborhoods that are susceptible to spotted lanternfly infestations.
Spotted Lanternfly LOVE Maple Trees
There are many different species of maple that we find throughout Pennsylvania. Maple trees are very common in neighborhoods and developments as ornamental trees.
The spotted lanternfly will tend to attack and feed on the sweeter sap species of maple.
Willow Trees are Spotted Lanternfly Targets
The last ornamental tree species that commonly have spotted lanternfly infestations are willow trees.
Willows and Weeping Willows are beautiful ornamental trees that spotted lanternfly love to feed on.
Spotted Lanternfly Favorite Tree
The spotted lanternfly favorite tree is the invasive Tree of Heaven aka Ailantus Tree.
Spotted Lanternfly Treatments and Prevention
There are treatment options to treat and protect ornamental trees such as birch, maple, and willows from the invasive spotted lanternfly.
I met the inventors of DoomBox at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and bought a few of their new DoomBox rodent stations.
My first thought when I saw the DoomBox was that it looked like a great idea. The snap trap is secured inside of a clear plastic container allowing the user to see any rodent captures and prevent kids and pets from being harmed by the trap.
The trap itself is a newer style snap trap that packs a pretty good punch. The trap can be easily set with one hand and provides more than enough force to kill a mouse. The large trigger pan allows for easy bait or attractant placement.
DoomBox is labeled as “Certified Child Resistant”. This is due to the placement of the trap inside of the container in relation to the holes used by the mouse to enter the container.
I was unable to touch any part of the trap when I put my fingers into the container from the entrance holes. This design prevents children and pets from being able to touch the trap and get hurt.
The container itself does not lock which can be an issue. The positive side is that even after multiple uses, the container lid was still tight to the container. This tight fit makes the container fairly secure and more secure than a standard plastic bait station.
What would I change about this product? I would like to see one more additional rodent entrance hole at the end of the container. I think that the addition of another hole would allow for more versatile container placement as mice like to run along the walls. The additional hole would allow the container to be placed on either end of the garage doors for example and not stick out into the garage.
Overall I think this is a great new product for the pest control industry. The clear container allows for easy viewing of captures and activity inside of the station. The trap itself is strong, well built, secured, and easy to set. The child resistant and pet safe design is a great additional feature.
I recommend the DoomBox for any homeowner that wants to trap mice and has concerns about kids and pets getting snapped too!
Prudential Pest Solutions is not a paid spokesman for this product. We met the inventors of the DoomBox at an outdoor show and purchased a few of their traps. The review is our own opinion.
Rodent Exterminators
We service Chester County and all of South Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.
Give us a call or text us at (484) 401-4361 to get rodent-free today!
There are a few ways to prevent termites from destroying your home. This guide is for subterranean termites that we find our area of South Eastern Pennsylvania.
Not every case of termites is avoidable but there are always preventative measures that can be taken. In this article we will discuss ways to make your home less desirable to termites and how to identify termite activity BEFORE they destroy your home.
Termites LOVE moisture
Subterranean termites need a certain amount of moisture in the soil to live and thrive. Keeping moisture and water away from your home and foundation can deter termites from coming near your home.
Check your grading
If the grade of the surrounding yard and property leads water towards the home, than this issue should be addressed. The grading of the property should always channel rain and water away from the home.
Mulch can lead to moisture
Landscaping features such as mulch can trap moisture at the foundation of the home. If the mulch is placed too deep or too close to the home, moisture can remain and sit at the foundation.
Downspouts and Gutters
Prudential Pest Solutions
Gutters and Downspouts are designed to channel rain and water from the roof and send it away from the house. Clogged or wrongly installed gutters can allow rain and water to flow freely over the gutter and onto the foundation.
Downspouts can also lead to moisture problems. Downspouts that do not discharge the rain water far enough away from the house can lead to water sitting at the foundation. Downspouts that go underground are especially problematic since any damage to them goes unnoticed because they go underground.
Prudential Pest Solutions
Check outdoor faucets for leaks
Outdoor faucets where garden hoses connect can leak and allow water to sit at the foundation. Making sure the garden hose is properly connected and not leaking can prevent moisture issues.
Termites need wood!
Besides moisture, termites need wood! Avoid any wood to soil contact. Any wood that is contacting the soil or close to the soil should be treated before installation.
Termite Prevention Options for Wood
The best time to think about termite prevention is BEFORE your home has a termite infestation.
Termite PreTreatments for New Construction and Additions
The very best time to protect a home against termites is while it is being constructed. Home built after 1990 are required to have a termite pretreatment done prior to the completion of the home.
How a termite pretreatment works is that the soil around and UNDER the foundation of the new home is treated with a liquid termiticide. This liquid termite treatment kills any termites that come in contact with it for a few years.
Eco Friendly Termite Treatments
Another method of termite pretreatments involve the treating of the structural wood with a solution to kill termites. This solution penetrates into the wood and can provide years of lasting protection.
We have an entire article on Termite PreTreatments for new construction that you can find here.
Pressure Treated Lumber
Wood that is in contact with the soil should be treated against termites. Most commonly found is pressure treated lumber. This lumber is treated with a chemical to prevent termite infestations.
Termite Inspections
Termite inspections can be obtained through a variety of circumstances. Regular termite inspections can spot termite activity early and prevent a full termite infestation.
Real Estate Termite Inspections (WDI’s)
Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDI)
Often during a home transaction a termite inspection or wood destroying insect inspection will be required. This inspection can uncover hidden termite activity that had gone unnoticed for years.
Regular Termite inspections happen as a preventative measure. These inspections happen typically annually and are part of a general pest control service plan.
The winter is great time for your exterminator to inspect your home for termites during their winter pest service.
You can learn about about our pest control service plans here.
Do I have termites now?
Since subteranean termites live in the soil and inside of the wood, how do you know if you have termites? Most homeowners find out they have termites from one of these 3 scenarios:
They bought or sold a house an exterminator found evidence of termites.
A contractor finds termite damage during a home renovation
Every spring the homeowner reports seeing “fly ants” for a few weeks
These are the 3 most common scenarios where homeowners discover they have termites.
What does termite activity look like?
Termite activity for subterranean termites can take a few forms but most commonly it appears as mud shelter tubes. These shelter tubes protect the termite as they go from the soil to the wood.
Termite Mud Shelter TubesTermite Shelter Tubes
Termite Damage found during renovations
When a contractor opens a wall during a renovation, termite damage can be seen. This damage has been going on for years and when it is uncovered, it can be quite extensive.
Termite Damage
Termite Monitors
Termite monitors are a method of monitoring for termite activity BEFORE it reaches the house. Termite monitors are placed around the exterior perimeter of the home and allow the termite technician to inspect for termite activity year round.
Affordable Termite Treatments
If termite activity is found in the monitors, a termiticide cartridge can be placed into the monitor and the termite colony can be destroyed before it ever reaches the house.
You can learn more about termite monitors and other termite treatment options here.
Termite Treatments
termidor certified applicator
If termites are found at the property, there a few termite treatment options available.
Termite Liquid and Termidor Treatments
termidor he certified professional
Termite Liquid Treatments involve the application of liquid termiticide into the soil around the exterior foundation of the home.
A very common and effective liquid termite treatment involves the application of a product such as Termidor. Termidor works by allowing the termites to come in contact with the chemical and then having the termite transfer the chemical to other termites. This process of transference eventually annihilates the entire termite colony.
You can learn about our termite liquid and Termidor treatments here.
Termidor Termite Treatments
Direct Wood Treatments
Direct wood treatments are a ECO Friendly termite treatment process. This treatment is the same as the direct wood treatment listed above in the PreTreatment Section.
With the direct wood treatment, a borate based solution is applied to the wood. This solution permeates into the wood and creates a treated area. When the termites chew into this treated wood, they are killed and the home is protected.
How is direct wood treatments ECO Friendly?
Since the primary active ingredient in the solution is a borate. It poses no hazard to mammals, including humans and most pets.
Since mammals have livers, they are able to process the borates and the borates have no ill effects. Insects and termites however, are devastated by borates and cannot survive.
You can learn more about our ECO Friendly termite treatments here.
Termite Protection and Warranties
Termite Warranties
Even if termite activity was found, it does not mean the property is not viable. When the termites are treated professionally, a warranty is almost always attached to the treatment.
A termite warranty protects the homeowner against new termite activity.
Termite Exterminators
We service Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and all of South Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania.
We provide affordable, effective, and professional termite treatments. For most of us, our home is our most valuable asset. Don’t let termites destroy your home!
Termite Inspections
Wood Destroying Insect Report (WDI)
We provide, thorough and detailed inspections to determine whether you have termites and what treatment options we recommend.
If you are purchasing or selling a home, you may be required to have a termite inspection completed. We provide accurate and detailed termite reports for real estate transactions.
We provide many options for termite treatments and prevention. From liquid applications to the exterior perimeter, to direct wood treatments and monitoring systems, we can resolve any termite issue you have.
Termite Protection and Warranties
Types of Termite Services We Provide
FREE TERMITE CONSULTATIONS!
We provide a full range of termite services and solutions including:
As a Marine Corps Veteran with a degree in Biology from Penn State, I promise you haven’t met a termite exterminator like me before!
The safety of your family, pets, and the environment are always my top priority. We can provide you with all of the information and treatment recommendations so that we can resolve you termite issue in a safe manner.
Termidor HE Treatments
Speak with a Termite Specialist
Give us a call or text us at (484) 401-4361 to speak with a termite control specialist!
There are many places around your home where pests and rodents can enter. The garage door is a HUGE opening that often has gaps at the seals. By replacing the garage door seals, we can keep pests and rodents out of the house.
How do Pests enter the garage?
As we can see in the picture below, there are 2 huge openings at the corner of the garage door.
The first opening is at the bottom corner where the rodents have chewed on the corner of the side weather seal to access the garage
Rodent Door Seal
The other opening is less noticeable but is very important. This is the bottom seal of the garage door. If this seal is damaged, missing, or old and worn out, it can allow pests and rodents to enter the garage.
How to rodent proof the garage
Rodent Proofing Service
We provide rodent proofing and exclusion services to Chester County and South Eastern Pennsylvania.
Since mice only need a hole the size of a dime to enter a structure, it is extremely important to find and seal any all potential rodent entrances.
We believe in offering rodent control services that are safe for your family, pets, and the environment.
Prudential Pest Solutions is a full service pest control and exterminating company. We are fully licensed and insured to resolve any pest issue you may have.
Our owner, Ryan, is a Marine Corps Veteran with a degree in Biology from Penn State. We promise you haven’t met an exterminator like him before!
I’m often asked “how do hornets and wasps make their nests”? Not too long ago a client of ours asked me to treat her fence for hornets. I thought that was an odd request until I looked at her fence. Her fence had about 20 or so bald face hornets that were chewing vertical channels in the wooden fence.
Hornets and Wasps make their nests from wood
As you can see from the video above, the hornets were chewing at the wood from the fence. The hornet then brings the wood mixed with their saliva back to the nest. This wood and saliva mix is the main process material that the hornets use to build their nests.
how do hornets make their nests?
How can you get a hornets nest?
In the late fall, the nests are abandoned as the hornets die off. This is a great time to hunt for your own hornets nest. Since the leaves will be off of the trees, you may be surprised to find a hornets nest in your neighborhood that you had no idea was there!
Are there still hornets in the nest?
To be cautious whenever you are bringing home your hornets nest, you should keep it isolated in a garage, shed, or other protected area outside of the home. This will ensure that your hornet nest is vacant before you bring it inside.
hornet nest removal
How can you preserve your hornet nest?
Hornet nests are built to survive the elements when the hornets are living in them. Oftentimes the nest is in a tree where it is protected by leaves and branches.
When you remove the nest, you should store and keep it away from the elements. These nests can last a very long time without doing anything to them if they are handled infrequently and gently.
For the large nest pictured above, I applied a spray on wood lacquer to the nest. This lacquer firmed up the nest a bit and made the nest a bit more durable. I intend to bring this nest to events where we provide education and tips to clients so I will be handling and transporting the nest frequently.
Hornet and Yellow Jacket Removal Experts
We are hornet and yellow jacket removal experts. From nests located high in the tree, to nests located in the walls or ceilings, we can treat and remove them all.
Prudential Pest Solutions is owned and operated by the Ellenberger Family
About Prudential Pest Solutions
Prudential Pest Solutions is a family and veteran owned, pest control and exterminating company. We are fully licensed and insured to treat and prevent any pest issue you have.
We pride ourselves on educating our clients on the pests in and around their home.
Give us a call or text us at (484) 401-4361 to speak with one of our pest experts.
