How do you get rid of sergeant bees?

Question:I have insects, that look like bumble bees, that are making small holes in my deck railings. I heard that they are called sergeant bees, but I haven't found anything about them. How do I get rid of them without calling an exterminator?

Answers:
Sounds like they are carpenter bees. They are large, yellow and black, and a very active in the spring. They bore holes in wood and nest in the holes.

You can kill the males and females with spray insect killers but you still need to get the larvae to stop the cycle.

Use Drione dust to treat the holes where the larvae are. It remains active up to 3 months in the nest. When the larva emerge they will be dehydrated by the Drione Dust. Apply the Drione to the nest openings and deep inside the cavities drilled by the carpenter bees.

Best of luck!