Silver Bullet Pest ControlStraight answers from Silver Bullet Pest Control, a licensed exterminator based in Garfield, NJ, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Call or text 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
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Text a photo of what you're seeing and we'll tell you what it is and what to do.
Male carpenter bees can't sting at all; they're the ones that hover and dive at you near the house, but it's all bluff. Females can sting, but rarely do unless they're handled or trapped. The real problem with carpenter bees is damage: they drill round, half-inch holes into decks, fascia, railings and trim, and reuse them every year. Silver Bullet Pest Control: 973-510-2585.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Can sting? | No | Yes, but rarely |
| Face | Yellow or white spot on the face | All black face |
| Behavior | Hovers, chases and dives at people | Drills holes and lays eggs |
| Where you see them | Near the nest, guarding | At the hole, coming and going |
The three situations behind most of these calls in North Jersey:
A nest where people walk is a real sting risk. Bee and wasp service comes as a one-time service or with a 30, 60 or 90-day warranty depending on the species.
Small nests grow fast through the summer. Treating early keeps doorways and decks usable.
Carpenter bees drill into unpainted wood and come back every year. Treatment plus sealing and painting the wood stops the cycle.
Each year, carpenter bees reuse old tunnels and drill new branches off them. Over several seasons, a deck rail or fascia board can be riddled with tunnels, and woodpeckers tear it open further. Water gets in and the wood rots. Unpainted softwoods like cedar, pine and redwood are their favorites.
Treat active holes, then plug and seal them once the bees are gone, and paint or stain bare wood, which carpenter bees avoid. Bee and wasp service is offered as a one-time service or with a 30, 60 or 90-day warranty depending on the species, with re-treatment inside the warranty window. See bee and wasp removal, bee fun facts and who to call for bees.
Walk around the eaves, deck and shed every couple of weeks in spring, when nests are small.
Yellow jackets go after sweet drinks and meat at cookouts. Keep lids on.
Open trash and recycling draw yellow jackets in late summer.
Painted or stained wood keeps carpenter bees from drilling in.
Tell us what you're seeing and where. A photo often lets us identify the pest right away. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.
A licensed tech finds the source: where the pest lives, how it gets in and what draws it.
We use the right method for the pest, placed where it works and kept away from kids and pets.
We close entry points and tell you what to change so the problem doesn't come back.
Call or text 973-510-2585 for the fastest answer, or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you quickly.
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Males can't; females can but rarely do.
Males guard their territory; they're harmless.
Yes, they drill tunnels in decks, fascia and trim.
Mostly in spring and early summer in NJ.
It helps a lot. They prefer bare, weathered wood.
Treat first; plug once the bees are gone.
Nests start small in spring and are largest and most aggressive in late summer and fall.
Old nests aren't reused, but new queens often pick similar sheltered spots.
It depends on the species, the nest location and how hard it is to reach. Call or text 973-510-2585 for a quote.
Yes, including nests under eaves, in soffits and on second-story walls.
We treat the nest directly and tell you how long to keep kids and pets away.
No. It angers the colony and they'll rebuild nearby.
Bee and wasp service comes as a one-time service or with a 30, 60 or 90-day warranty depending on the species. If activity returns within the warranty, we re-treat.
Late summer and early fall, when colonies are largest and food gets scarce.
It's not a good idea. Disturbing a nest is the most common way people get stung badly.
Move away from the nest and get help. Anyone with trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat needs 911.
Honey bee swarms often move on in a day or two. Established colonies in walls need a different approach; call and we'll advise.
Yes. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Based in Garfield, we serve these towns and the rest of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B
