Spring has finally arrived! The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and the sun is out. But the buzz of bees isn’t always a good sound, especially when you start to see nickel-sized holes in your house or patio furniture.
These holes are likely caused by carpenter bees, appropriately named for their habit of drilling holes in wood. Mason and leafcutter bees lay their eggs in holes that are already there and don’t damage the buildings they live in. Carpenter bees, on the other hand, are wood-boring insects that can do some damage. Its important to note that carpenter bees do not eat wood like termites or carpenter ants. But when they drill holes for their nests, problems like water retention, decay, and rot can happen if nothing is done for a few years.
Carpenter bees have decided to live in your home. It may be tempting to use insecticides to get rid of them, but we strongly advise you to try less harmful methods first. Why? First, carpenter bees are incredibly effective buzz pollinators. Second, insecticide use for carpenter bees can also harm other local pollinators—like Mason and Leafcutter bees (among others)!.
Learn how pesticides can move from yard to yard in our The Importance of a Pesticide-Free Yard article.
A lot of our beekeepers have asked us what they can do to keep carpenter bees out of their homes, decks, and lawn furniture without hurting other pollinators that live there. Which we thought was a great (and timely) question to answer in this months bee blog post!.
Before we talk about how to safely keep carpenter bees from building nests where you don’t want them to, we want to make sure you know how to tell them apart from other buzzing insects in your garden and yard.
Bumble bees are important pollinators that play a vital role in our ecosystem. However, having a bumble bee nest too close to your deck can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous if someone gets stung. Instead of using toxic pesticides, there are several effective natural methods to deter bumble bees and keep them from nesting right next to your deck.
Plant Peppermint and Citronella
One of the easiest ways to keep bumble bees away is to plant peppermint and citronella near your deck. Both plants have strong scents that naturally repel bees
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Plant peppermint in an herb garden or along the edges of your deck. The strong minty aroma deters bumble bees from nesting nearby. Peppermint is easy to grow and thrives in containers or garden beds.
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Citronella has a fresh lemony scent that bees dislike. Plant citronella in pots or garden beds near doors patios, and other high-traffic areas. The citronella will release its scent whenever the leaves are brushed or crushed as people pass by.
Remove Food Sources
Bumble bees forage for nectar and pollen from flowers. Eliminating these food sources around your deck will discourage bees from frequenting the area.
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Cut back flowering plants like clover, dandelions, and purple deadnettle that attract bees. Replace them with non-flowering ground cover or mulch.
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Remove bird feeders that contain sugar water, which bees are attracted to.
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Clean up fallen fruit from trees to eliminate another bee food source.
Provide Water Sources Away from Deck
While limiting food sources deters bumble bees, providing water sources in other areas of your yard encourages them to nest farther away.
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Set up a birdbath, small pond, or fountain away from your deck. Change the water regularly.
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Place shallow dishes filled with water, stones, and sticks in remote sections of your yard. Add fresh water daily.
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Drizzle water on compost piles away from high-traffic areas. The moisture attracts bees to nest there instead.
Use Visual Repellents
Certain colors and patterns deter bees from settling in an area. Take advantage of this by incorporating visual repellents around your deck.
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Hang shiny metallic ribbons or old CDs from tree branches and eaves around the deck. The reflective surfaces disturb bees.
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Drape black and white striped fabric over railings and furniture. Bumble bees dislike those bold patterns.
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Place fake plastic bees and inflated snakes around your deck. Bees avoid areas marked with predator cues.
Apply Natural Repellents
Natural scented sprays keep bees at bay without using harsh chemicals.
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Mix 5-10 drops of peppermint or lemongrass oil into a spray bottle filled with water. Apply around the perimeter of your deck.
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Combine 2 cups of mouthwash with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray this lightly scented solution wherever bees are spotted.
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Fill a spray bottle with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Shake well and spray in areas bees congregate.
Reapply these repellents after heavy rain to maintain effectiveness. Spray in the evenings when bees are less active and avoid spraying directly on bee nests.
Seal Potential Nesting Sites
Bumble bees usually nest in abandoned rodent burrows, wood piles, compost heaps, and cavities. Sealing cracks and holes eliminates nesting spots near your deck.
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Inspect the underside of your deck and seal any cracks or crevices with caulk. This prevents bees from building nests under the deck.
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Stuff small openings in siding or roof eaves with copper mesh or steel wool. Bees can’t chew through these materials.
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Keep grass cut short around the deck’s perimeter. Long grass allows bees to hide underground nest entrances.
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Remove unused lumber, firewood, and other materials stacked near your deck. Store them in a sealed shed or garage.
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Cover compost bins with tight lids. Elevate bins off the ground so bees can’t access the bottom.
When to Call a Professional
If you spot a bumble bee nest near your deck, contact a local bee removal service to have it safely eliminated. Attempting to destroy a nest yourself can aggravate the bees and prompt an attack. Professionals have proper protective gear and use non-lethal traps to remove bees.
It is illegal to kill endangered rusty-patched bumble bees without a permit. Have an expert identify the species first before taking any action. When in doubt, call a professional bee removal service.
Deterring bumble bees from nesting under your deck or patio takes some diligence. But incorporating multiple natural pest control methods greatly reduces the chances bees will become a nuisance around your outdoor living space. Stay vigilant and take action at the first sign of bees moving in so you can enjoy your deck all season long.
Identifying Carpenter Bees and Signs of an Infestation
Carpenter bees are the largest native bee species in the United States. They are usually all black or black and yellow, and you can see them hovering around the eaves of a house or the underside of a deck in the spring. The ones around my house regularly hit our windows every morning to let us know they are there.
People often mix up carpenter bees and bumble bees. To tell them apart, just look at their abdomens. Carpenter bees have shiny black abdomens, while bumble bees have hairy abdomens. Don’t be scared of them just because they’re big or seem mean! Males, who have white stripes on their faces, don’t have stingers, and females can sting, but they probably won’t unless you handle them or stick your fingers in their nests, which we don’t recommend.
Keep in mind that carpenter bees flying around your yard and house doesn’t always mean they’re drilling holes in your house. A few things to look (and listen) for:
- Deep, nickel-sized holes perfectly drilled into wood;
- Wood shavings or sawdust in and around the hole;
- Carpenter bee poop may show up on the wood below the hole as a yellowish-brown stain.
- If you pay close attention, you might hear the sound of wood being chewed.
- Often, the males will wait outside the nesting hole while the female works inside.
How To Keep Bees Away From Your Deck
FAQ
How do I get rid of bumble bees around my deck?
What is the best repellent for bumble bees?
Why do bumble bees hover around my deck?