Carpenter bees burrow inside wood and set up nests, leaving your hardscaping and decks full of holes. How can you safely get rid of carpenter bees?
While carpenter bees look a lot like bumblebees, they are very different. Carpenter bees lack the stinging power of bumble bees but also can wreak major havoc on the outside of your home as they participate in their “carpentry.” Carpenter bees burrow inside wood and set up nests, leaving your hardscaping and decks full of holes. How can you safely get rid of carpenter bees?
Exterminate
Since carpenter bees are pollinators, it’s always best to use more humane methods of getting them out of your property instead. Consider seeing if there are any local beekeepers where you live who would be willing to remove and take them before giving a call to the exterminator. If the infestation is too large and you can’t get them to leave through other means, extermination is the only option. Powders are the most effective type of pesticide for carpenter bees, so look for Carbaryl dust or boric acid.
Crank Up the Volume
This method of getting out carpenter bees is surprisingly effective. Carpenter bees are very sensitive to noise and the associated vibrations. As a result, something as simple as placing a speaker or boombox next to their home will encourage them to leave. This method is typically free and safe for both you and the carpenter bees.
Prevention
If you have holes in your wood left behind by carpenter bees, active or not, use pieces of steel wool to plug them up. This will effectively trap the carpenter bees inside and prevent them from returning to the nest. Once you are sure that the carpenter bees are gone, use wood putty or caulk to cover the spot and further deter them from returning.
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Tags: bee prevention, carpenter bees, deck maintenance, insect damage