How to Kill Boarer Bees

You can kill borer bees yourself.

Borer bees look a lot like bumble bees. However, unlike a bumble bee, the upper abdomen of the borer bee is black and hairless. Another common name for borer bee is carpenter bee. They get their name because they bore through wood and make their nests inside. Even though borer bees are less aggressive than other types of bees, they can be a threat to your home, causing destruction as they burrow. You could contact a professional to kill the bees, or, if you prefer to save some money, you can kill them yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Aerosol insecticides
• Dust insecticide
• Wood putty

Instructions

1. Find the bees' nest. To locate the nest, look for the exposed wood as well as bees flying around the exposed wood. The male bees try to protect the nest by flying around it. You will likely see symmetrical holes that are bored through the wood. This is the entrance to the nest.

2. Use an aerosol insecticide that contains 1 percent propoxur. Spray the insecticide directly into the holes of the nest. Follow the specific instructions on the insecticide's packaging for proper application and safety directions. Generally the spray will take approximately 3 to 4 days to begin killing the bees.

3. Use a dust insecticide that contains deltamerthin. Sprinkle it into the holes of the nest. Again, follow the package's instructions for safety and application purposes. Unless the instructions tell you otherwise, you can transfer dust insecticides to squeeze bottles with flexible nozzles. Insert the nozzle into the hole and then squeeze the bottle to puff the dust insecticide into the nest.

4. Use wood putty to fill the holes of the nest after the dust insecticide has been applied. If you prefer, you can use caulk instead of the putty. Filling the holes makes the nest inaccessible to new swarms of bees.

Tips & Warnings

• Always take safety precautions when dealing with bees. Wear long sleeves and work gloves to protect your hands and arms. Long pants, socks and shoes will protect your legs and feet. Generally, carpenter bees are not aggressive. However, when they sense a threat, they can sting.

• The best time of day to treat the bees' nest is at night. During the nighttime, the bees all return to the nest so you have the chance to kill the most bees. Also, they are less aggressive and active in the evening.

References

• Do Your Own Pest Control: Get Rid of Carpenter Bees
• Mount Kolias: How to Kill Bees and Wasps

Resources

• Garden Web: Homemade Bee Traps