What to do about carpenter bees !

sarahpanda · ‎03-11-2010

I've been living in my new home a few months now and have seen many carpenter bees drilling holes around my house. Do you have these little devils and if so, any advise as to how to save my home?

KittySoftPaws · ‎07-21-2020

No advice, never have had that problem. That's such a dilema because bees are so beneficial to our enviroment and so many things, I'm sure you don't want to harm them. They are just doing what they were made to do, just in the wrong place. Maybe research on line for non toxic safe for you and them, ways to stop it. I am sure they exist. And with a little care and patience, everyone will win. Good luck to you.

"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." Charles Dickens

Coastalcarolina · ‎04-02-2015

You could try spraying wasp and hornet spray where you see them trying to drill. They go in and lay eggs and after that they die. But the life cycle will continue next season if you let it go on. Good luck.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

They only last for a short time. They are not honey bees. They are pests but the holes they drill are but superficial. Bear with them. They go away. They are just part of our environmental business.

Coastalcarolina · ‎04-02-2015

I guess my reply seems harsh. Sorry, but they will destroy the wood. If it was something other than your home, I wouldn't be so harsh.

We have outbuildings that we let it go. And they come back every year, same spot.

DREAMON · ‎03-09-2010

We tried spraying Wasp and Hornet Spray a few times a day, my husband kept filling all the holes with wood filler every night...they refused to stop.

They were drilling holes in our wood framed patio doors.

We put up with it for more years than I can remember then we got new patio doors with aluminum frames and that solved the problem.

Coastalcarolina · ‎04-02-2015

@DREAMON wrote:
We tried spraying Wasp and Hornet Spray a few times a day, my husband kept filling all the holes with wood filler every night...they refused to stop.
They were drilling holes in our wood framed patio doors.
We put up with it for more years than I can remember then we got new patio doors with aluminum frames and that solved the problem.

I have a set of wood adirondack chairs that are vintage that my father in law made for us. Those buggers drilled a hole all the way through it! I was not happy.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@sarahpanda Call a professionaal and/or ask your neighbors.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@sarahpanda. I had a home in Houston where they loved to make holes in the 2 X 4s in the fence around the patio. They don't sting and are not aggressive. I used to walk among them with no problem.

I've never heard of any way to discourage them so I left them alone. Live and let live. Fence didn't crumble or fall.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

DREAMON · ‎03-09-2010

@Coastalcarolina wrote:

@DREAMON wrote:
We tried spraying Wasp and Hornet Spray a few times a day, my husband kept filling all the holes with wood filler every night...they refused to stop.
They were drilling holes in our wood framed patio doors.
We put up with it for more years than I can remember then we got new patio doors with aluminum frames and that solved the problem.
I have a set of wood adirondack chairs that are vintage that my father in law made for us. Those buggers drilled a hole all the way through it! I was not happy.

@Coastalcarolina ,

and the holes are absolutely perfectly round..they drill better than any electric drill I have ever seen.