Capitol Bee CARE LLC - Carpenter Bees

These big bossy bees can seem very intimidating. The males are at times aggressively protective of their nests. But the secret that they don't want me to tell you is that they cannot sting! Those big bumblers are very entertaining once you know that they are all bark.

Carpenter bees are helpful native pollinators. Consider this too, their ancestors are very likely to have been nesting in or around this same area for millennia. Your deck, eve, or railing just looks like a nice piece of dead wood to them. Whenever possible we encourage people who find that they have any of these little guys as near neighbors adopt a sense of responsibility and stewardship for these little native creatures.

It's true that they can do some damage to the wood of your house. But if you take steps to deter them from eating your house before they move in then perhaps some sense of harmony can be found. If you already have resident carpenter bees wait for the young to emerge from August to September. If you have the space in your yard provide carpenter bees with some sacrificial wood on the edge of your property.

Deter Carpenter Bees Before they Move In or After the Young Emerge

September-October is the sweet spot for the time of year to:

Fill and Seal Wood:

Seal up any wooden divots or pre-existing holes in your wood. Every spring when female carpenter bees start their search for new homes, they seek out imperfections in wood as perfect places to begin nests. In the fall, use wood putty to cover up holes and crevices so that your home is less appealing in the spring.

Treat with Borate:

Use borate to treat your wood! Apply a borate wood treatment to your finished and unfinished wood. While this solution is not technically chemical free, it is a great way to protect your wood and deter wood-boring insects of any kind from finding their way into your home.

Repel to Make them Move

Citrus Spray:

Use citrus spray to protect wood. Citrus scent is highly repulsive to carpenter bees. You can make your own citrus spray by boiling citrus peels in water for several hours and draining into a squirt bottle. Spray your wood every few days, depending on weather, to keep your wood protected. This method is great for patio and porch furniture, as well as play sets.

Almond Oil:

Use almond oil to repel. When applied to wood, almond oil has similar repelling effects to citrus spray. Carpenter bees hate the scent and it will keep them from nesting on sprayed wood. Some people have also had luck spraying new nest openings with almond oil to get existing carpenter bees to leave. Mix the almond oil with water to spray on wood, or apply the oil directly to carpenter bee nest holes.

Play Loud Music:

Some people have found that playing loud music next to active nests causes the carpenter bees to decamp, at least for a short while. This method can work because carpenter bees are sensitive to sound, and the vibrations from the music would be unpleasant to them. This gives you an opportunity to repair a nest before the adults return.

As a Last Resort Destroy

Traps:

Place carpenter bee traps up every spring! Even if you do not have active carpenter bee nests, the traps are great deterrents. The traps will attract any carpenter bees scouting out the area before they have a chance to nest. This is the BEST way to use your carpenter bee trap. Each trap has a 15-foot working radius, so plan accordingly!

Destroy the Larvae:

Repair damage from old carpenter bee nests. Fall is the best time to prepare for carpenter bees. The adults have died off and the young bees and larvae are hibernating in the tunnels, making autumn the most effective time to address existing nests. Pour almond oil on a cotton ball and push it into the nest. Then seal off the entrance hole with steel wool, wooden dowels and wood putty.

Diatomaceous Earth:

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in the nests to kill larvae and bees. Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of diatoms (algae). It’s composed of microorganisms that will destroy the exoskeleton of any pest it touches and has long been used as a natural pest control substance. When applying diatomaceous earth to the nest, wear gloves, a mask, and long sleeves, as it can cause rashes when in contact with bare skin. Remember to seal up the nest after treatment.

Vacuum:

Vacuum carpenter bees away. If you have a strong enough vacuum with a small attachment, you might be able to vacuum the carpenter bees out of their nest. This works best when the nests are new and not very deep. Vacuuming will not get any larvae, so make sure to seal up the nest properly after removing the adults.