Protect Your South Carolina Home from Carpenter Ants, Bees, and Beetles
If you’ve noticed signs of wood damage around your home or business in the South Carolina Lowcountry, you might be dealing with more than just rot or age. Carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and carpenter beetles are three common wood-destroying insects that can compromise the integrity of your property. While they each have “carpenter” in their name, they behave quite differently—and knowing which pest you’re dealing with is key to protecting your structure.
Let’s break down the differences and warning signs of each.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they tunnel through it to build nests. Over time, this can weaken beams, joists, and other key structural elements. These ants are typically black or dark red, and they prefer moist or rotting wood. If you spot sawdust-like debris (called frass), hear rustling inside walls, or see large winged ants indoors, you may have a carpenter ant infestation.
Key Signs of Carpenter Ants:
Piles of frass near wooden structures
Hollow-sounding wood
Winged ants swarming indoors
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees but have shiny, hairless abdomens. They bore perfectly round holes into soft wood—especially decks, fascia boards, railings, and siding—to create nests. While the damage from one or two bees might seem minor, repeated nesting in the same area can lead to significant structural issues over time.
Key Signs of Carpenter Bees:
Perfectly round entry holes in wood
Yellowish staining below the holes (bee droppings)
Buzzing sounds around eaves and wood trim
Carpenter Beetles (Wood-boring Beetles)
Often confused with termites, wood-boring beetles (sometimes called “carpenter beetles”) lay eggs in wood. The larvae then tunnel and feed for years before emerging, leaving exit holes behind. The powdery frass they push out of the wood is a clear indicator. These beetles tend to infest unfinished wood in attics, crawl spaces, or furniture.
Need help getting rid of these pests? Learn more about our beetle control services here.
Key Signs of Carpenter Beetles:
Small round or oval exit holes in wood
Powdery frass around infested areas
Weak or brittle wood surfaces
Protect Your Property—Get Expert Help from Hilton Head Exterminators
Wood-destroying insects can be silent threats until major damage is already done. Whether it’s carpenter ants nesting in your walls, carpenter bees drilling holes in your deck, or wood-boring beetles quietly tunneling through your attic, professional pest control is the best defense.
At Hilton Head Exterminators, we’ve been protecting Lowcountry homes and businesses for decades. Our team knows how to properly identify and eliminate each type of wood-damaging pest—and prevent them from coming back.
Don’t wait for minor signs to turn into major repairs. Call Hilton Head Exterminators today or visit our website to schedule an inspection and protect your home from the ground up.
