Carpenter bees can be a challenge for homeowners and gardeners across the United States, particularly in areas with ample wooden structures. Known for their shiny black abdomens and often mistaken for bumble bees, carpenter bees are solitary bees that don’t form large colonies. Female carpenter bees, unlike bumble bees or other social insects, dig round holes into wood to create carpenter bee nests for their young. This habit, while natural, can lead to serious damage over time, particularly if they return to older tunnels season after season.
How to keep carpenter bees away?
To keep carpenter bees away, protect wood surfaces with paint or varnish, seal preexisting holes, use natural repellents like citrus and lavender oils, and install bee traps or physical barriers to prevent nesting.
Managing a carpenter bee infestation isn’t only about maintaining the beauty and integrity of your wooden structures—it’s also about taking a balanced approach to protecting important pollinators. Let’s explore the best ways to prevent and deter carpenter bees, reduce damage to wood, and keep your outdoor furniture, wood siding, log homes, and decks safe.
1. Understanding Carpenter Bee Behavior and Why They’re Attracted to Wood
Carpenter bees seek out untreated, softwood surfaces—like pine, cedar, and redwood—as ideal nesting sites, making wood decks, eaves, and door frames great places to bore small holes. These bees prefer untreated lumber, so painted or varnished wood surfaces are less attractive to them. Their entry points are often marked by wood shavings or sawdust, and you’ll likely notice round holes and, sometimes, the presence of carpenter bees around these spots.
2. Preventative Measures: Making Your Property Less Appealing to Carpenter Bees
Prevention is the best way to avoid a carpenter bee problem. Here are a few effective strategies:
- Paint or Varnish Wood Surfaces: Carpenter bees avoid painted wood, as it’s harder for them to chew through. Applying a coat of paint or varnish, particularly to soft wood surfaces, acts as a simple and effective barrier.
- Use Harder Woods: Carpenter bees prefer softer woods over hardwoods like oak or maple. If you’re constructing a new fence or deck, consider using treated lumber or harder woods to deter them.
- Seal Cracks and Old Holes: If there are preexisting holes or old tunnels in your wooden areas, fill them with wood putty in late spring or fall when activity is low. Sealing small holes blocks entry points and discourages bees from using old nests.
3. Setting Up Physical Deterrents to Deter Carpenter Bees
For carpenter bees, setting up barriers around affected areas can stop them from entering in the first place:
- Carpenter Bee Traps: Carpenter bee traps are designed to attract bees into a wooden box with small holes, leading them to a collection jar. This is an easy way to capture carpenter bees without harmful chemicals, and the best bee traps mimic carpenter bee nests.
- Install Wire Mesh or Netting: Cover exposed wood areas with fine wire mesh to prevent bee access. Mesh is especially helpful for protecting wood siding or beams in log homes.
- Hang Reflective Objects: Shiny, reflective objects like aluminum foil or shiny tape can confuse bees, deterring them from creating new nests. While this method may not fully solve a carpenter bee infestation, it can work as an added deterrent.
4. Using Natural Solutions and Scents to Repel Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are sensitive to certain smells, making natural solutions like essential oils a simple way to repel them:
- Citrus Spray: The smell of citrus is a natural repellent. Boil citrus fruit peels (like lemon and orange) and spray the mixture around entry points and affected areas. Some homeowners also use vinegar-based mixtures to keep bees at bay.
- Lavender and Almond Oil: Lavender essential oil and almond oil are other scents that bees dislike. Mix a coat of almond oil with water in a spray bottle and apply to wood surfaces to deter bees. For preexisting holes, spray the mixture directly into the hole to drive bees away.
- Tea Tree Oil and Diatomaceous Earth: Apply diatomaceous earth around small holes or affected areas to irritate bees attempting to nest. Tea tree oil, mixed with water, can also be sprayed to repel carpenter bees and is a great option for wooden areas of your home where bees tend to gather.
5. Sound-Based Deterrents: Loud Music and Vibrations
Carpenter bees are sensitive to noise and vibrations. Placing a portable radio near active areas, playing loud music, can make bees abandon nests, especially during the summer months when they are more active. Some homeowners find this an easy reach, though it may not be practical for long-term solutions.
6. Addressing Existing Carpenter Bee Nests Safely
For existing nests, careful handling is key to prevent extensive damage:
- Wait Until Fall to Seal: Seal up carpenter bee nests and entry points in fall after they leave. Failing to do so can lead to a bigger problem, as trapped bees will attempt to chew through to escape, causing more damage. Use wood putty to fill the holes, preventing bees from returning the following spring.
- Use Insecticidal Dust and Drione Dust: If nests must be treated, insecticidal dust can be placed inside holes in late spring. Drione dust, in particular, works well to deter new thread attempts at tunneling. Always follow manufacturer instructions, and consider consulting pest control professionals.
7. Repel Carpenter Bees with Safe, Non-Toxic Options
It’s possible to deter bees while minimizing environmental harm. Non-lethal approaches respect their role as pollinators, while protecting your wood structures:
- Provide Decoy Wood: Place untreated dead wood in a designated area away from your home to encourage bees to nest there instead. This solution reduces their interest in your home’s structures and is a popular belief among bee conservationists.
- Plant a Pollinator Garden: By growing plants like salvia, bee balm, and lavender, you provide ample pollen sources and encourage bees to pollinate flowers rather than nest in your wood siding or structures.
8. Common Missteps and Avoidable Mistakes
While managing a carpenter bee population, avoid these common errors:
- Ignoring Small Holes and Wood Shavings: These are early signs of a carpenter bee problem. Inspect and address signs of wood-destroying insects in the first place to prevent more extensive damage.
- Sealing Too Early: Remember, carpenter bees are more active in spring, so wait until late fall to seal holes. Failing to time it right can create a real problem, trapping them inside.
- Skipping Professional Help: If you’re noticing significant damage, contact pest control professionals who specialize in bee-related issues to avoid further costs and prevent next year’s population increase.
9. Protecting the Role of Carpenter Bees in the Environment
Carpenter bees are critical to many plant species as important pollinators. While a carpenter bee infestation can lead to a pest problem, using natural, non-lethal solutions is better for preserving their role. Consider easy-to-implement options like vinegar-based mixtures and diatomaceous earth over harsher chemicals to balance preservation with protection.
Conclusion
Keeping carpenter bees away from wooden areas of your home doesn’t have to involve complex solutions. Through a mix of preventative measures, physical deterrents, and natural scents, you can reduce the likelihood of seeing black bees with shiny abdomens around your outdoor furniture, decks, and structures. With a bit of effort, it’s possible to protect your wood surfaces while allowing these valuable pollinators to play their role in nature.
Whether using home remedies like citrus sprays, tennis rackets for aggressive bees, or setting up carpenter bee traps, patience and consistency are key. This balanced approach ensures a safe, bee-friendly environment while preventing extensive damage to your property. Good luck!
Sources
Pictures
- Carpenter bee by Peter Stenzel, https://flickr.com/photos/peterstenzel/, https://flic.kr/p/2jEhUgY
- Pine wood and wooden house, by Kārlis Dambrāns , https://flickr.com/photos/janitors/, https://flic.kr/p/toeDYV