It’s safe to say that most people don’t enjoy the presence of stinging insects on their property. However, it’s important to recognize that bees serve an important ecological function and that harmful pesticides have diminished bee populations over the past few decades.
While it may be tempting to purchase whatever over-the-counter project can handle carpenter bees to stop them from burrowing through your wood, there are often safer and more effective solutions available.
So, how do Maryland homeowners balance the delicacy of the bee population with the need to protect their wooden sheds and furniture from destructive carpenter bees? This guide will walk you through seven safe and effective ways to get rid of carpenter bees, including DIY and professional solutions.
Why Are Carpenter Bees A Threat to Your Property?
Carpenter bees can be quite destructive due to their nesting habits. Unlike other bees that form colonies, carpenter bees are solitary and excavate tunnels in wood to lay their eggs. They prefer untreated or weathered wood, and over time, their boring activities can weaken the structural integrity of wooden buildings, fences, decks, and outdoor furniture. The entry holes they create are typically half an inch in diameter, but the internal tunnels can extend several feet, causing significant damage that might not be immediately visible from the outside.
Furthermore, carpenter bees may sting you or other family members, which can cause discomfort or allergic reactions.
How to Identify Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees can easily be confused with bumble bees. However, they do not possess the same yellow markings on their abdomens.
Carpenter bees have smooth and shiny abdomens, and are oval-shaped and “chubby” bees that measure at about ¾-1 inch in length.
If you spot carpenter bees or what appears to be some wood-eating insect damage, the following are seven ways to get rid of carpenter bees safely and sustainably.
8 Ways to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees
Luckily for Maryland homeowners, there are several tried and true methods to get rid of carpenter bees that don’t rely on harmful chemicals–which can be just as dangerous for the homeowner as the bee.
1. Identify the Problem Areas
The first step to getting rid of carpenter bees is to identify where they are coming from in the first place. Carpenter bees will typically dwell underneath decks, roof eaves, shingles, and other places where wood is found. If you suspect a carpenter bee infestation on your property, check these areas to determine where they may be coming from.
Hiring a local exterminator to perform an inspection will allow you to identify these problem areas so that any treatments you apply last for a long time.
2. Seal and Paint Wood Surfaces
Sealing and painting wood surfaces can be a good way to keep carpenter bees away from your property. Since these bees prefer raw, unpainted wood, treating your wood with paint and sealant will make the wood on your property less desirable.
3. Use Natural Deterrents
There are several all-natural ways to repel carpenter bees, including the use of vinegar and essential oils. Carpenter bees are known to dislike the smell of almond and citrus oils, so adding these oils to a spray bottle and applying them where you have seen carpenter bees may help keep them away.
4. Apply Insecticidal Dust
The use of insecticidal dust is common when treating carpenter bee infestations. Insecticidal dust can be purchased at most hardware stores and is applied to areas where carpenter bees are found to kill them. We recommend consulting a professional to ensure that any dust you do apply is safe and thorough.
5. Build or Purchase Carpenter Bee Traps
Setting up carpenter bee traps can also be effective in getting rid of these pests. These traps can be purchased at a hardware store or made at home using simple materials, like a mason jar and wood.
6. Consult Professional Pest Control
Whenever you find yourself dealing with a pest infestation of any kind, it is imperative that you contact a pest control professional immediately. This is especially true with any type of bee infestation, as you don’t want to run the risk of being stung if you try to handle the problem on your own. Furthermore, many professionals have access to organic products and practice IPM–a form of safe pest control that uses several different measures to control pest populations without relying entirely on synthetic pesticides.
7. Maintain Regular Inspections and Maintenance
A trusted pest control professional will be able to inspect your property for the signs of a carpenter bee infestation and treat it in order to get rid of the bees safely and effectively. After treatment, your exterminator will likely recommend that you schedule routine inspections and maintenance to prevent these pests from returning to your property.
For yearlong safety against carpenter bees and other wood-destroying organisms in Maryland, check out Pest Czar’s home protection plans. Czar Guard’s preventive measures help keep you safe from over a dozen common insects, including carpenter bees and termites, for peace of mind.
FAQs
Do carpenter bee traps work?
While many carpenter bee traps may be effective at killing the bees on your property, these traps are not to be solely relied on to eliminate every single bee. The only true way to take care of a pest infestation of any kind is to contact a pest control professional and have your property inspected to determine the right course of action.
What are long-term strategies to prevent carpenter bees?
Many of the pest control strategies discussed above can be used in tandem to prevent carpenter bees from destroying your property. Your best bet for keeping these pests away from your home is a combination of traps, deterrents, and routine professional pest control.