Wood boring insects - Ask Extension
We have some small flying insects that are boring holes in our wooden beams of our deck roof. Holes are about the size of a head of a sharpie marker. ...
Knowledgebase
Wood boring insects #138082
Asked July 01, 2013, 11:28 PM EDT
We have some small flying insects that are boring holes in our wooden beams of our deck roof. Holes are about the size of a head of a sharpie marker. The insects are about 1/2 inch long and drop little light colored chunks down, possibly the wood? I am hoping someone can tell me what they are and the best way to get rid of them. Possibly carpenter bees? Also attached a picture of a dead one.
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
I can't see this clearly enough to id, you may want to take it to the Lane Co. Extension office. However, it does not look like a carpenter bee but closer to a mason bee. Mason bees use existing holes rather than boring into intact wood. Is it possible they are simply cleaning out an existing hole, perhaps an old nest? Mason bees are harmless pollinators, they won't damage the structure.
