The early fall is the best time for preventative measures because the galleries will most likely be empty.
Carpenter bees treatment for wood. Closing the entrance after using the insecticide plug the hole with a wood dowel coated in carpenter s glue caulking or putty. Pour them in the spray bottle fill the bottle with water shake it well to mix water and oils properly now spray this solution inside the nests of the carpenter bees. Plug existing holes to prevent a future worker bee infestation. By replacing the softwood with hardwood such as mahogany maple oak and teak you can reduce the risk of an infestation considerably.
You can prevent carpenter bees from nesting in the first place by painting or varnishing your home s exterior. For spot treatment anything labeled effective against bees and wasps will also deter carpenter bees. Carpenter bees prefer weathered or unfinished wood. Plug up carpenter bee holes.
You may also add few drops of tea tree oil. Make this natural bee repellent and spray it into the holes to get rid of the wood bees. Take 1 2 tsp of almond oil and an equal quantity of any citrus oil if using. Natural spray repellent.
Once the bees die the drill holes can be sealed and repainted. If an infestation has occurred you will need to use an insecticide to eliminate the carpenter bees. Use hardwood while building your house like maple and oak as carpenter bees prefer softwood for example pine. You can find bee traps online in pest control and home gardening stores and in some department stores.
Use plugs putty or caulk to plug up the holes after the bees have vacated the gallery. Hang your trap directly above the carpenter bee holes. A control technique that. Use a carpenter bee spray to kill active wood boring bees combined with an insecticide dust application in the holes.
Carpenter bees prefer to excavate untreated unfinished wood. If you don t have an infestation hanging traps is also a good. Cedar douglas fir pine redwood spruce and yew are all examples of softwood that is usually used for construction. While only a temporarily effective method applying a liquid insecticide to the wood surface is a less time consuming process than applying dust to drill holes.
Carpenter bees usually infest softwood as it is easier to drill holes in them.