How to Kill a Carpenter Bee

Only female carpenter bees are capable of stinging, but do so only when provoked.

While carpenter bees are not generally a threat to humans, they can cause havoc to structures by chewing through wood. If you notice sawdust droppings below small round holes, or observe carpenter bees exiting and entering through holes, they have taken up residence inside the wood. Killing a lone carpenter bee does nothing to stop the damage to the wood of your home. Watch that bee instead to find where it enters through the wood, because you have an entire colony to kill.

Things You'll Need

• Bee insecticide spray
• Cotton ball
• Stiff wire
• Wood putty or caulk

Instructions

Killing the Colony and Eggs

1. Spray bee insecticide to the area adjacent to the holes after dark when bee activity is limited. Do not plug the holes with the insecticide, as the carpenter bees will simply drill another hole.You want the bees to be able to pass freely to collect and distribute the insecticide to the nest. Repeat spraying the following evening if you still notice a live bee or two.

2. Kill the eggs the evening following no carpenter bee activity. To do so, soak a cotton ball in fingernail polish remover and stuff it through the hole(s) with stiff wire.

3. Fill the drilled holes with wood putty or caulk to prevent another colony of carpenter bees from taking up residence later on.

Tips & Warnings

• If the wood damage is extensive, call a professional exterminator.

• Do not use insecticides near gasoline or petroleum.

References

• beelab.osu.edu:Carpenter Bees
• unexco.com:Carpenter Bees