How to Control Carpenter Bees Without Poison

Carpenter bees have black bodies covered lightly in yellow hairs, whereas bumble bees have yellow abdomens. Carpenter bees bore into wood, and you will want to stop them from eating your house and making nests in your wood siding. There are a couple of ways to get rid of them without poison. But be careful not to get stung in the process. Do all work at night when the bees are asleep.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vacuum
• Stick
• Protective clothing and gloves
• Plaster
• Putty knife

Instructions for Small and Large Nests

1. Find a nest. You will spot saw dust below their nests, caused by the bees boring and their predators digging after them.

2. Put on your protective clothing and gloves.

3. If the nest is new, having only about 20 bees and a queen, insert the stick into the hole and shake it around to stir up the bees.

4. Suck out the bees with a vacuum until you have emptied the nest.

5. Cover the hole with plaster. This will prevent any more bees from using the same nest.

6. If you find large nests, skip vacuuming them out and simply putty the holes with the bees inside at night. They will not bore their way out and will die inside.

Tips & Warnings

• The best preventive measure is to paint your wood siding frequently, about once a year.
• Always be careful when dealing with bees. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you want to relocate carpenter bees, you will need to call an exterminator.

References

• How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees