How to Build a Nest for Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are usually the first bee you see in spring. These large bees are comprised of over 500 species found throughout the world. Often confused with bumblebees, carpenter bees have a shiny abdomen compared to the bumblebee's hairy one. Carpenter bees are disappearing due to pesticide use and loss of habitat. These bees are an important pollinator and are often the only bee found in home gardens. Providing nesting sites for carpenter bees can increase the fruitfulness of your garden. Home owners often think that carpenter bees will do irreparable damage to their homes, the holes they dig are shallow, and if painted over with paint or other sealant in the fall, after the eggs have hatched, no permanent damage to the house is sustained. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Untreated 2 x 4 any length
- Drill with 1/4 inch bit
- 5 poles, any length, of untreated bamboo at least 1 inch in diameter
- Twine
Instructions
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Select an out of the way spot that receives morning sun and provides shelter from prevailing wind and rain with access to open-faced flowers like Queen Anne's lace or yarrow.
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Drill 1/4 inch holes on one of the long sides of the 2 x 4 about 1 inch from the top and 1 to 2 inches deep. Space the holes 3 or 4 inches apart. If you have enough room, go down 1 inch from your first row of holes and create a second row of holes. Continue to create rows until you are 1 inch from the bottom of the wood.
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Place the 2 x 4 on one end in your sheltered spot. You may use rocks, bricks or branches to steady your 2 x 4.
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Bundle the bamboo poles together, tie with twine and place the bamboo on its side in a sheltered spot.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have carpenter bees drilling into your siding or deck, place a piece of untreated 2 x 4 near the spot where the bees are making their nests. The bees should choose the untreated wood over your siding. Plant open-faced flowers (flowers that bloom in an umbrel shape like Queen Anne's lace) or nectar rich flowers like borage or bee's balm near carpenter bee nests. Don't clean up all the fallen limbs or twigs in your yard, instead stack them in an out of the way spot to provide shelter for carpenter bees and other beneficial insects. If you don't want to make your own carpenter bee nests you can often find pre-made carpenter bee nests in organic catalogs and magazines.
Do not use pesticides in your yard or garden if you want to attract carpenter bees. Carpenter bees will sting if you try to handle them or otherwise provoke them.
References
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Comments
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Carpenter Bee Nesting House! OMG we have been killing these bees because of the hole boring in our cedar house. I understand they are beneficial and recently learned from a friend that he has a nesting house for them. Check out this link.
