Before your inspection
- What we look at
- Active holes in wood, and mounds in the lawn or beds.
- How to prepare
- Point out holes and mounds, and keep children and pets away from fire ant mounds.
- Cost & next steps
- Free inspection, followed by a written estimate. We explain the scope before you approve any work.
Scheduling: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Eastern. Same-day service may be available, depending on the schedule and your location.
Carpenter bees and fire ants are two outdoor problems many Triangle homeowners face each warm season. Carpenter bees bore round holes into decks, fascia, eaves and trim. Fire ants build mounds in sunny areas and sting when disturbed.
What this service includes
- Carpenter bee treatment of active galleries in decks, fascia, eaves, railings and trim
- Fire ant control for mounds in lawns, beds and along walkways
- Advice on sealing treated holes and protecting exposed wood
Not included, or quoted separately
- Wood repair, replacement or painting
- Honey bees and bumble bee colonies
Exact coverage, visit frequency and any guarantee depend on your written service agreement.
Carpenter bees
Carpenter bees look like bumble bees but have a shiny, mostly hairless abdomen. Females bore perfectly round holes, about the width of a finger, into unpainted or weathered wood and return to the same areas year after year. We treat active galleries according to label directions and explain when and how the holes should be sealed. NC State Extension’s carpenter bee publication covers biology and prevention.
Fire ants
Fire ant mounds are usually in open, sunny soil and have no central opening. Disturbing a mound brings workers out quickly to sting. We identify the ants and treat mounds according to label directions. Fire ants are also covered on our ant control page. See our fire ant identification guide.
Signs you may need this service
- Round holes, about the width of a finger, in decks, fascia or trim
- Sawdust below holes and yellowish staining on siding
- Large, shiny black bees hovering around eaves in spring
- Loose soil mounds in the lawn after rain
- Stings from small reddish ants when working in the yard
How Castle Exterminators handles it
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Inspect
We confirm carpenter bee or fire ant activity and find the galleries or mounds.
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Estimate
The treatment areas and price are set out in writing.
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Treat
Carpenter bee galleries and fire ant mounds are treated according to label directions.
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Prevent
Advice on sealing holes and painting or staining exposed wood.
We use EPA-registered products applied according to label directions. Your technician gives product-specific preparation and re-entry instructions when a treatment calls for them.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fill carpenter bee holes?
We treat the galleries and explain how and when holes should be sealed. Wood repair and painting are not part of our service.
Can fire ants be treated as part of general pest control?
Fire ant control is available as a service. Ask us how it fits with your plan.
Are carpenter bees dangerous?
Males cannot sting, and females rarely do. The concern is damage to wood over time.
Related services
Homeowner guides
Practical reading before you book carpenter bee & fire ant treatment.