Hobbies And Interests

How to Get Rid of Eastern Carpenter Bees

Eastern carpenter bees can be a nuisance to homeowners who have soft untreated wood on their properties. The bees like protected areas around the home such as porches, eaves or wood trim. Female carpenter bees bore into soft wood, such as pine, to create galleries for the young. Year after year, bees return to the same piece of wood where they were born to raise more young. This can result in a bee-infested wood in some houses. There are several ways to combat this situation and create an environment that makes it difficult for bees to nest in.

Things You'll Need

  • Putty or sealant
  • Measuring Tape
  • Insect screen
  • Wire cutters
  • Staples
  • Staple gun
  • Oil-based paint or varnish
  • Paint brush
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the location of the 1/2 inch holes where the female carpenter bee has bored through the wood to create her nest. These are the galleries where the bees will winter and where baby bees are raised. It is best to get rid of the bees in the early spring before the new nest is created and eggs are laid. The male bee will hover around the gallery to protect his territory during mating season. This is a good time to proceed. The male and female bee will be in and out of the gallery.

    • 2

      Apply sealant or putty to the gallery holes to prevent bees from re-entering. Allow the putty to dry. The bees sleep in the galleries at night, so it is best to apply the putty during the day when they are outside.

    • 3

      Measure the area that requires protection from the carpenter bees. Write down these dimensions and cut a piece from the insect screen. Use the staple gun to attach the screen to the wood.

    • 4

      Choose an oil-based paint and apply it to the untreated and unpainted surfaces of your house and porch using paint brushes. Paint over the sealant and the insect screen. Carpenter bees do not like oil-based paints and will not bore into the wood that is painted. If you need to replace damaged boards, it is best to do so with pressurized wood or hard wood, which these bees have difficulty boring into. Be sure to apply two to four coats of paint or varnish and ensure the crevices are covered.


https://www.htfbw.com © Hobbies And Interests