Carpenter bees are a burrowing pain. Though they may not wiggle their way inside your home, theyll gladly wiggle through your deck. Your deck could fall down at any time if enough carpenter bees live there, putting you in danger. Theyll happily dig through outdoor furniture and the siding of your house too. Consider these pest management tips to prevent carpenter bees from disrupting your outdoor fun.
Carpenter bees can become a nuisance as they drill holes into wooden decks to make their nests But there are several effective ways to deter these large bees and prevent damage without harming them,
Understanding carpenter bee behavior is key to keeping them away humanely. Then simple natural remedies can be applied to make your deck less inviting to these pollinators.
Why Carpenter Bees Are Attracted to Decks
Carpenter bees (species Xylocopa) get their name from their wood-boring habits. The females chew into decks, eaves, sheds and outdoor wood to build tunnel-like galleries for rearing young.
These bees are especially drawn to weathered, untreated softwoods like pine, cedar and redwood commonly used for decks. Features that attract them include:
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Unpainted or weathered wood – Exposed grain and textures are ideal for gripping and excavating.
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Overhangs and rooflines – Carpenter bees prefer elevated, covered nest sites.
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South/west facing areas – Maximum sun exposure helps incubate their brood.
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Untreated lumber – Coatings and wood protectants deter nesting.
Once carpenter females start excavating into a deck, they return year after year. The old holes are very appealing to new generations.
12 Natural Ways to Deter Carpenter Bees
Here are some simple, non-toxic methods to make your deck less welcoming to these wood-burrowing bees:
1. Paint or Varnish Exposed Wood
Sealing the deck boards with a few coats of paint, stain or outdoor varnish deters carpenter bees. The coated surface is harder to excavate into.
2. Use Wood Protectants
Applying EPA-approved insecticidal wood preservatives makes lumber less inviting. Choose low-odor options safe for outdoor spaces. Re-apply annually.
3. Caulk and Seal Holes
Sealing existing holes prevents bees from re-using them. Apply silicone caulk or wood putty and sand smooth when dry.
4. Install Screens Over Vents
Attach steel wire mesh over deck vents to block access. Stainless steel #8 hardware cloth with 1⁄4” holes keeps most bees out.
5. Hang Deterrent Scents
Cloths soaked in vinegar, lemongrass oil or bee repellents create unfavorable scents if hung by nest sites. Replace frequently as smells fade.
6. Use Visual Deterrents
Reflective surfaces like aluminum foil, mirrored tape and metallic streamers discourage bees if affixed near holes. But these need to be replaced often as they weather.
7. Attach Fake Wasps
Lifelike fake wasp nests or paper mache “wasp models” can trick bees into thinking competitors already claimed the site.
8. Limit Woodpiles and Mulch
Carpenter bees overwinter in logs, firewood and mulch piles. Moving these well away from the deck removes warm refuge spots.
9. Keep Wood Surfaces Painted
A fresh coat of outdoor paint every 1-2 years maintains a protective barrier deterring excavation.
10. Install Wood Treatment Dispensers
Slow-release pouches of permethrin insecticide attach right to decks to create a chemical deterrent zone.
11. Prune Back Nearby Vegetation
Dense foliage touching the deck provides protected nesting sites. Trimming back overgrown plants to open up airflow makes attachment sites less attractive.
12. Try Repellent Sprays
As a last resort, borate-based repellent sprays discourage wood boring. Apply judiciously only where needed, not broadly.
When to Get Professional Help
If carpenter bee presence is already well-established, consider professional pest control treatment. This may involve:
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Power-spraying wood preservatives deep into deck boards.
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Foam or dust insecticide application into individual tunnel holes.
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Filling holes and painting to prevent recolonization.
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Residual surface sprays to repel bees from treated areas.
For severe infestations across an entire deck, fumigation may be required. Work with an experienced contractor familiar with bee behaviors.
Maintaining a Bee-Friendly Deck
Carpenter bees are important native pollinators that deserve humane treatment even when labeled as “pests”. Whenever possible:
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Use preventive measures first to make decks unattractive nesting sites proactively.
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Avoid widespread spraying of insecticides which can harm other beneficial species.
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Seal holes humanely in fall after females leave, avoiding peak summer nesting season.
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Install “bee houses” around the yard to provide alternative nesting spaces.
With some diligence, decks can be protected from damage while also supporting healthy bee populations. A few holes here and there may not require any action at all. But implementing multiple deterrents tailored to carpenter bee traits will keep both homeowners and bees happy.
What are carpenter bees?
Carpenter bees look like a black version of your average, harmless bumble bee. However, these bees arent harmless, North Carolina State University stated. They dont like painted wood, but would rather dig through soft types of wood such as redwood, cedar, cypress, pine and others. Sadly, many outdoor decks and furniture are unpainted. These bees have a field day, leaving behind a trail of sawdust and demolishing the structure of whatever they burrow through. Theyll mostly come around in the spring looking for something to bite through, Log Home Care noted. Males usually stay on the defense while the females dig. They may act aggressively toward nearby people, but, like bumble bees, they dont have a stinger. Females will lay their eggs in the established tunnels, which could be several inches long. The bees will also enlarge old tunnels. If left unattended for long periods, carpenter bees destroy tunnels.
The BEST way to get rid of carpenter bees. They were destroying my deck!
FAQ
How do I keep carpenter bees off my wood deck?
What do carpenter bees hate the most?
What scent do carpenter bees hate?
How do you keep carpenter bees away from Your House?
Try building a fake wasp nest. Inflate a paper bag, cinch the end closed, and hang the paper bag under the eave of your house. While this technique deters carpenter bees from building new nests, it will not cause them to leave existing nests. Almond oil and citrus oil are carpenter bee repellents.
How do you get rid of carpenter bees in a car?
Buick says citrus is positively repellent to carpenter bees, as is lavender oil and citronella oil. Pick the one that you don’t mind smelling and mix a few drops of the essential oil with water. Fill a spray bottle, then spray near wood structures and other spots where you suspect bees might be hanging out. Can carpenter bees sting you?
Are there carpenter bees in your deck?
If you’ve found perfectly round half-diameter holes drilled into your deck timbers, wood siding, mailbox posts, or outdoor furniture with a little sawdust beneath the holes, you may be housing these gentle bees. Carpenter bees (Xylocopa virginica) actually are fascinating native pollinators.
How to get rid of carpenter bees without calling a professional?
And as already mentioned, citrus and other essential oils like lavender and citronella do a good job of offending carpenter bees. Carpenter bees often bore holes in wood during the spring to lay their eggs. Find out how to get rid of carpenter bees without calling a professional.
How do you keep bees away from wood?
Paint wood structures with oil or polyurethane-based paint and periodically maintain and treat all exposed wood surfaces. Use vinyl siding or protective coverings like wire screening or metal flashing on external wood surfaces to deter bees from boring. Install carpenter bee traps to lure bees away.
How do you prevent carpenter bees from staking a claim?
Here’s how you can prevent carpenter bees from staking a claim to your property. Method #1: Paint your wood. It sounds crazy, but the simple truth is if you paint your fences, decking, and any other wooden buildings and surfaces that carpenter bees might be tempted to nest in, they’ll move on to somewhere else. Why?