Carpenter bee problem

[jmarkwolf]

The "barrel" over my front door is susceptible to carpenter bee "infestation". I often have to have the exterminator come to dust the holes to kill the bees, then the holes need to be plugged (the white stuff in the pic) prior to re-staining. The carpenter bees don't seem to be attracted to anything else on the house.

Now I'm thinking about having the wood work removed entirely, to inspect damage underneath, then putting something else back up that won't attract the bees so I won't have to deal with the infestation anymore. The paint store recommended against using the thick oil based stain with insecticide additive that the exterminator recommended, due to gravity preventing soaking in apparently.

I like the wood look. Any ideas regarding wood look but would be impossible for the carpenter bees to drill their holes?

 

[rburke65]

I know they like the ‘soft woods’…pine, cedar, etc.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The bees might be honey bees if they are wearing miniskirts. The carpenter bees wear a tool belt and coveralls.

 

[TriumphFan]

Carpenter bee traps: They work. I hang mine up when I see the first one in the Spring.
Carpenter Bee trap

 

[BillK]

Thats not that much area that you might be able to spray it down with Home Defense Spray every few months ? Or maybe brush it on ? It lists Bees as one of the insects it controls.

Currently Unavailable

I have a couple of homemade traps like TF showed. They catch an amazing number of them.

By the way I cant imagine paying someone to come out to dust the holes. They sell a spray foam that will do the same thing.

If controling them is too much hassle then maybe you could replace the real wood with a artificial flooring product that looks the same ?

 

[PassnThru]

When I bought my house it had a covered porch that actually had drywall on the ceiling. It was textured also! Every time I mowed I was blowing flakes from that off the porch. I finally bought some T&G pine siding and put that up instead. Before I installed it I stained it with just an ordinary oil based deck/outdoor stain and thus far I only have one little spot where a bee started a hole and then stopped. I've since put a second coat on and while it was challenging, it was certainly doable. And I do have the bees here - they really like the kids play set and the unpainted areas of my shed. They have even attacked the underside of my trailer bed. Having said that, a coat of paint or an oil based stain has kept them at bay for me.

 

[RPH]

They are a beneficial insects but they do have to move when destructive. Helping a buddy rebuild cedar deck that is rittled with them. Citrus oils are suggested as the don’t like the smell. Wind chimes, noise gets them, and good old coatings. Paint or stain but that’s regular maintenance. Copper sheet should be armor plate to them.

3 Simple Tricks To Stop Carpenter Bees - And The Damage They Cause!

Are carpenter bees ruining the wood around your home? Check out these 3 simple tricks to stop carpenter bees and the damage they cause!

oldworldgardenfarms.com

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Thread drift … mowing the grass yesterday, stepped on a soft spot near a tree. Next thing i know my leg is hurting … the bees took offense with me for collapsing their home.

 

[bucolic]

I bought rough-cut lumber to build a shed at my previous house and they told me I wanted Hemlock and not pine as the bees are not attracted to the hemlock. Not sure if it is true but the shed was in perfect shape and never any insect issues until the day I sold the house and it was up for 15 years.

 

[Viper98912]

When I bought my house it had a covered porch that actually had drywall on the ceiling. It was textured also! Every time I mowed I was blowing flakes from that off the porch. I finally bought some T&G pine siding and put that up instead. Before I installed it I stained it with just an ordinary oil based deck/outdoor stain and thus far I only have one little spot where a bee started a hole and then stopped. I've since put a second coat on and while it was challenging, it was certainly doable. And I do have the bees here - they really like the kids play set and the unpainted areas of my shed. They have even attacked the underside of my trailer bed. Having said that, a coat of paint or an oil based stain has kept them at bay for me.

Thanks for posting this picture. I really like this overhead wood idea.

 

[thammel]

I made 3 carpenter bee traps this year and to my surprise caught many carpenter bees. Surprised that such a simple trap would actually work. Used scrap 2x4 lumber and some old empty jars. Check youtube for designs.