Stinging pest
Bees Control in Elgin, Illinois
Identification first — pollinators matter.
What they look like
Honey bees are amber-brown and fuzzy. Bumble bees are large and densely furry. Carpenter bees look similar to bumble bees but have a shiny black abdomen and bore perfectly round holes in wood.
Signs of an infestation
- Perfectly round 1/2-inch holes in fascia, decks or unpainted trim (carpenter bees)
- Steady traffic into a single gap in siding or soffit
- Bees concentrating in one area of the yard or structure
Where they're found
Wood trim, decks, fascia boards, sheds, wall voids and ground nests in dry soil.
Why they show up
Untreated or weathered softwood is ideal for carpenter bees, and protected voids attract nesting swarms.
Seasonality in Illinois
Most visible from April through July.
Prevention tips
- Paint or seal exposed softwood on decks, fascia and railings
- Repair and seal existing holes after activity ends
- Inspect sheds and outbuildings each spring
When to call a professional
Correct identification comes first. Honey bee colonies are handled differently from carpenter bees or aggressive stinging insects — ask before treating anything yourself.
How ProGuard treats bees
ProGuard identifies the species and recommends the appropriate approach for the situation rather than treating every bee the same way.