Carpenter bees!

[Gem99ultra]

Google Carpenter bee traps. You can make one from a mason jar and scrap would in about 15 min - and they work.

My chickens love em.

I wish you could convince my Carpenter bees about how great those traps are. I bought one and have had ONE bee in 4 weeks actually go into it. And that one was probably insane. So far, for me, that hasn't worked. The bees are still making dust piles. Perhaps there is some sort of bait that I need to put inside the jar?

 

[dalola]

I wish you could convince my Carpenter bees about how great those traps are. I bought one and have had ONE bee in 4 weeks actually go into it. And that one was probably insane. So far, for me, that hasn't worked. The bees are still making dust piles. Perhaps there is some sort of bait that I need to put inside the jar?

If you can catch one, bait your trap with it. I've heard the new traps lack the "smell" to draw them in. Once you get some in there, the party is on. At least that's been my experience....great success with the traps, but I did bait them that first year.

The type of trap may also factor in, some seem better than others. Good luck!

 

[CADplans]

About a decade ago,, I used a totally different approach to carpenter bee control,,

I figured the bees probably like sugar,, so I dissolved sugar in water, and mixed in some malathion,,
using a pump-up sprayer, I sprayed the inside of an old wood shed that the bees had been having their way with,,

The bees were 100% controlled for that year,, I repeated it the next spring,,
we did not see a carpenter bee for 3-4 years after that,,

I am sure other insecticides would work, I just happened to have malathion available,,,

I thought about putting the same mix in a humming bird feeder,, and hanging it in the shed,,
never got around to trying that,,,

 

[CADplans]

I wonder if some variety of wood works as a bee trap better than other types?

How about a piece of firewood,, do the bees single out dimensional lumber over rough natural wood for some reason,, ??
Is it possible they are attracted to a smooth surface?

Pine, oak, locust,, Hmmmmmmm,, what would be the best choice?? cedar??

 

[Ford850]

I wonder if some variety of wood works as a bee trap better than other types?

How about a piece of firewood,, do the bees single out dimensional lumber over rough natural wood for some reason,, ??
Is it possible they are attracted to a smooth surface?

Pine, oak, locust,, Hmmmmmmm,, what would be the best choice?? cedar??

Redwood and cedar were the hardest hit at my place, but SPF and Yellow Pine in my open sided pole barn shed were nearly as bad.
I have lots of hardwood firewood and have never found a carpenter bee on that. But they do like the yellow pine and treated yellow pine that the wood shed is built from.

 

[thekkfan]

I wish you could convince my Carpenter bees about how great those traps are. I bought one and have had ONE bee in 4 weeks actually go into it. And that one was probably insane. So far, for me, that hasn't worked. The bees are still making dust piles. Perhaps there is some sort of bait that I need to put inside the jar?

Maybe you need a ship in a bottle? LOL

 

[QRTRHRS]

I always thought that carpenter bees did not sting until I was picking up some hay one day. I picked up a bale that was against a tin barn wall and there was a small nest between the bale and the tin. Buggers got me in the ankle like six times, wham, bam. They were not hard to smack with a piece of broken pallet that I found.

Those traps have not worked for me. I too like to take them out with a tennis racket. I have been meaning to look for some kind of wood epoxy in a tube rather than use caulk to repair some holes in my almost new run in sheds.

 

[thekkfan]

I always thought that carpenter bees did not sting until I was picking up some hay one day. I picked up a bale that was against a tin barn wall and there was a small nest between the bale and the tin. Buggers got me in the ankle like six times, wham, bam. They were not hard to smack with a piece of broken pallet that I found.

Those traps have not worked for me. I too like to take them out with a tennis racket. I have been meaning to look for some kind of wood epoxy in a tube rather than use caulk to repair some holes in my almost new run in sheds.

Those were bumble bees, not carpenter bees. I've helped clear out a nest under an old cabinet underneath a shed. Have bee spray in each hand, because they will chase you forever if you miss!

 

[jk96]

If you can catch one, bait your trap with it. I've heard the new traps lack the "smell" to draw them in. Once you get some in there, the party is on. At least that's been my experience....great success with the traps, but I did bait them that first year.

The type of trap may also factor in, some seem better than others. Good luck!

Location seems to be key for me. I have one up high and one lower. The one up high as work very well compared to the other one.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I wish you could convince my Carpenter bees about how great those traps are. I bought one and have had ONE bee in 4 weeks actually go into it. And that one was probably insane. So far, for me, that hasn't worked. The bees are still making dust piles. Perhaps there is some sort of bait that I need to put inside the jar?

Sales lady at local farm store said what works is to put one bee in the jar, whacked with a racket. That attracts others.
I made traps like she said. You take 4"x4" lumber scrap and cut it about 4"-5" long. Drill four holes in them at an angle. Mine the four holes (same size they make...about 3/8" or so) ended up together at the other end. Cut a jar top hole, screw it to wood.