Insect Boring Holes in Brick and Mortar - Ask Extension
Good afternoon,
I live in Lanham off of Good Luck road over the past week I have seen more and more holes in the brick and mortar of my home. Could...
Knowledgebase
Insect Boring Holes in Brick and Mortar #774644
Asked October 08, 2021, 12:22 PM EDT
Good afternoon,
I live in Lanham off of Good Luck road over the past week I have seen more and more holes in the brick and mortar of my home. Could the holes be caused by a mortar bee? The pictures are attached.
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
Bees like mason bees that nest in cavities don't create the cavities themselves - they use those that already exist, often in hollow plant stems or pre-existing holes bored into tree wood by beetles or other wildlife. (They get their name from using masonry-like materials to line their nest cells - often mud - inside that cavity.)
If holes are appearing in your brick mortar, bees are not the culprit, and it's unlikely any insect is responsible. We don't have expertise in masonry maintenance and repair, though, so we suggest inquiring with a professional in that field as to possible causes and methods for repair.
Miri
