How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees

Carpenter Bee Making Whole in Wood

Carpenter bees are helpful pollinators, but if these persistent insects begin nesting in your deck, pergola, or fence, you’ll want to act fast to prevent serious damage. Luckily, there are several ways to protect your wooden structures and repel these bees. This article contains information on how to get rid of carpenter bees and tips on preventing future nests. 

In this article, we’ll cover:

What are carpenter bees?

A carpenter bee on wood plank
Photo by: Judy Gallagher | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Physically, these bees are roughly the same size as bumble bees (about 1 inch long); however, carpenter bees don’t have yellow stripes on their abdomens. Instead, they have smooth, shiny, black abdomens. Their thorax can be black, white, or brown, depending on the species.

Male carpenter bees are very territorial, but they don’t have stingers. Female bees can sting multiple times but only do so in self-defense. 

Carpenter bees, or “wood bees,” differ from honeybees and bumble bees in many ways. They don’t produce honey or live socially in hives. Instead, carpenter bees live solitary lives as a pair (male and female) in their nest tunnel. However, multiple carpenter bees can share the same wooden structure. These bees chew tunnels in raw, untreated wood to escape predators such as woodpeckers who love carpenter bee larvae. 

All carpenter bee nests follow a specific pattern. They chew about an inch into the wood and then continue the nest at a right angle for 6 to 8 inches.

How to get rid of carpenter bees

There are several humane ways to get rid of carpenter bees. However, some of the options below do result in the bees’ death. Preserving the pollinator’s life is always preferable. By making their nesting areas less inhabitable, you can send them a message that it’s time to buzz off.

Make a D.I.Y. citrus spray

All bees have a powerful sense of smell, and carpenter bees hate the smell of citrus. Try this inexpensive DIY citrus oil spray you can make in your kitchen.

  1. In a pot, boil the sliced citrus fruit of your choice (i.e., lemons, limes, grapefruit) in water
  2. Allow the water to cool, and strain the liquid into a spray bottle
  3. With the spray bottle’s nozzle set to “stream,” spray the liquid into the nesting holes

Try some essential oils

Citrus isn’t the only scent carpenter bees find distasteful. Many essential oils can drive away insects, including carpenter bees.

Spraying a bit of lavender oil, Jojoba oil, almond oil, or citronella oil into the nest will overwhelm the bees. The scent of the oils is so overpowering that it causes the bees to vacate their nest promptly. This spray is harmless to plant and insect species while repelling carpenter bees.

You can also use eucalyptus and tea tree oils to get rid of carpenter bees.

Pump up the volume

It might sound preposterous, but you can chase off these bees with a loud noise. Try driving away your wood bees with music if you live in a rural area without neighbors nearby. The vibrations from that pounding baseline and rattling high hat is sure to send those wood bees heading for the hills due to their sensitivity to sound and vibrations.

For this technique to work, you’ll need to place speakers near the nest so the vibrations will disrupt the nest through the wood. This method takes about 2 to 3 days, so grab your noise-canceling headphones and be patient.

Make a trap

Carpenter bee traps are another way to rid your property of these bees. Many traps are available for purchase at your local hardware store. You can also find DIY online tutorials for making your wood bee trap.

The setup is simple, a small plywood box and a mason jar or water bottle. Drill small entry holes in the sides of the box and attach the jar or bottle to a hole in the bottom of the box.

When the carpenter bee enters the box, it will quickly determine that it’s not a suitable nest and want to leave. Instinctually the bee will go towards the light at the bottom of the box, thinking it’s an exit to the outdoors. Bees can’t climb glass or plastic, nor can they fly vertically, so they become stuck and perish in the trap. Additionally, the scent of dead bees will attract more carpenter bees. No bait is necessary.   

Vacuum them up

A no-muss, no-fuss way to get rid of carpenter bees is to suck them up in a vacuum. This method works best if you have a high-powered vacuum with good suction and the nest is new (the hole is still shallow). The best time to vacuum bees is near dusk, when the nest will be occupied.

You can agitate the nest by tapping on it, then suck up the bees as they emerge to check out the commotion.

Treat the nest with pesticide

If you face a carpenter bee infestation, a pesticide will exterminate these pests immediately. There are a few different types of pesticides with different methods of application.

Insecticidal spray is commonly used for flushing out the nest. Most sprays are dispersed with pumps or spray bottles. Insecticidal sprays kill carpenter bees within minutes.

Insecticidal dust can be applied to the holes with a hand duster. After two weeks, you can fill the hole with wood putty to prevent other bees from using it again.

Aerosol foam is a practical choice for exterminating carpenter bees because these foams expand to fill the nest and exterminate the larvae.

WD-40 is another quick option for homeowners looking to get rid of wood bees. Just spray inside and around the nest’s opening, and the bees will perish within minutes.

Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) kills larvae and bees within minutes of contact. While wearing disposable gloves, sprinkle the D.E. powder in and around the nest. You can also use a turkey baster to get the powder into the nest and to the larvae.

How to prevent carpenter bees from returning

As far as these insects are concerned, any untreated woods are up for grabs. If you want wood bees to stay out of your wooden structures, consider painting, staining, or treating the wood regularly with almond or citrus oils. 

You can also apply a preventative insecticidal spray to keep your wood bee-free. The best time to begin protecting your wood is in late winter before the bees search out new nests to raise their offspring.

Signs of a carpenter bee nest

Carpenter bees have a specific nesting style. Some indicators of a carpenter bee infestation include:

  • Small, perfectly-round holes in wood (one-quarter inch in diameter)
  • Sawdust near the nest opening
  • Excrement stains below the nest opening
  • Buzzing or humming sound near the hole

Remember, when encountering a bee’s nest, it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing. Pants and long sleeves of thick material, gloves, goggles, and close-toed shoes are recommended. 

FAQ about carpenter bee removal 

How long does it take carpenter bees to damage wood?

It only takes a couple of hours for a carpenter bee to bore holes a few inches deep. Many holes can pop up over a short period. Carpenter bees are most active in early spring when they emerge from their winter nests.

Do carpenter bees come back after treatment?

Carpenter bees will return to the same place every year. If you have a carpenter bee infestation, you’ll need to address it immediately since the offspring and other bees will take advantage of the existing nests.

How do I repair carpenter bee holes?

Fill the existing holes with steel wool, aluminum foil, a dowel and wood glue, or wood putty. Then paint over the holes to ensure the bees stay away.

Hire a pro that’s the bee’s knees

Carpenter bees can show up seemingly out of nowhere. A local exterminator can get rid of carpenter bees for you. You can expect to pay between $88 and $1,500 for carpenter bee removal, depending on the severity.

Dealing with other bites and stings in the yard, like fire ants or chiggers? Long, uncut grass offers pests plenty of places to hide. Hire a local lawn care pro who can take the sting out of lawn care and mow, trim, and edge your grass for you. 

Main Photo by: Helena Jacoba | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Caleb Leonard

Caleb Leonard is a writer, gardener, and eco-warrior. He enjoys enlightening readers on the benefits native plants, eco-friendly pest management, and water-wise landscape design.