How to Prevent Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees like to burrow and nest in wood, which is how they get their name. They create perfectly round holes in the wooden areas of your home, often leaving behind small piles of sawdust. These wood-destroying insects aren’t as bad as termites, but that doesn’t mean they’re welcome in your home. We’ll go over the basics about carpenter bees, plus how to prevent them from becoming a problem.
Quick Overview of Carpenter Bee Prevention
What Carpenter Bees Hate Most:
-
Citrus oils - Orange, lemon, and lime scents
- Almond oil - Most effective natural deterrent
- Loud vibrations - Music and wind chimes
- Painted wood - They prefer raw, untreated surfaces
Immediate Actions:
- Spray citrus oil solution on wood surfaces
- Fill existing holes with steel wool + caulk
- Install wind chimes near vulnerable areas
- Apply almond oil to active holes at dusk
Prevention Timeline:
- March-April: Apply first preventive treatment
- May-July: Peak activity - weekly inspections
- August-October: Seal abandoned holes
- November-February: Paint/stain exposed wood
How Do You Keep Carpenter Bees Away?
There are a variety of ways to keep carpenter bees away before they actually become a problem. A few of the most effective ways include:
- Paint or stain exposed wood: Carpenter bees prefer untreated wood, so painting or staining it makes it more unappealing to them.
- Build with hardwood: Hardwood is denser and more complex than softwood. Using oak, cherry, or ash makes it more difficult for carpenter bees to burrow.
- Use vinyl siding: Unlike wood siding, vinyl doesn’t attract carpenter bees and actually protects the softwood it’s covering.
- Seal cracks and holes: Carpenter bees seek out existing holes and nests. By sealing them, you increase the odds that bees will search for a home elsewhere.
- Install carpenter bee houses: Carpenter bee houses have pre-drilled spaces where bees can live. Installing one can lure bees away from your home.
Carpenter Bee Prevention Calendar: Year-Round Protection Strategy
Early Spring (March - April)
Why it matters: Queen bees emerge from hibernation seeking nesting sites
-
Week 1-2 March: Inspect all wood surfaces for old holes
- Week 3-4 March: Apply first almond oil treatment to vulnerable areas
- Early April: Install carpenter bee traps 15-20 feet from structures
- Mid-April: Paint or stain any untreated wood
Critical task: Fill ALL existing holes with steel wool and wood putty before bees become active
Late Spring (May - June)
Why it matters: Peak mating and nesting season
- May: Apply citrus spray weekly to active areas
- Early June: Check for new holes every 3 days
- Mid-June: Refresh almond oil applications
- Late June: Install additional wind chimes near new activity
Critical task: Treat new holes immediately - within 24 hours of discovery
Summer (July - August)
Why it matters: Second generation emerges, expanding existing tunnels
- July: Increase inspection frequency to twice weekly
- Early August: Apply insecticidal dust to active holes at dusk
- Mid-August: Replace worn carpenter bee traps
- Late August: Begin end-of-season hole sealing
Critical task: Document all hole locations for fall treatment
Fall (September - October)
Why it matters: Bees prepare for winter hibernation
- September: Final treatment applications before hibernation
- Early October: Seal all holes with steel wool and caulk
- Mid-October: Apply protective wood sealant
- Late October: Remove and clean bee traps
Critical task: Complete all repairs before first frost
Winter (November - February)
Why it matters: Preparation and maintenance period
- November-December: Purchase next season's supplies
- January: Plan wood replacement projects
- February: Early inspection for weather damage
Critical task: Schedule professional inspection for March
What Do Carpenter Bees Hate The Most?
Carpenter bees have strong aversions to specific scents, sounds, and surfaces. Understanding these preferences helps create an inhospitable environment that naturally deters them from your property.
Almond Oil - The #1 Natural Deterrent
Almond oil contains benzaldehyde, which carpenter bees find extremely repulsive. Apply pure almond oil or almond extract directly to holes and vulnerable wood surfaces. In field tests, almond oil repelled 95% of carpenter bees when applied every 2-3 weeks during active season.
Application method: Mix 1 tablespoon almond extract with 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Apply liberally to wood surfaces every 14 days.
Citrus Oils and Peels
Carpenter bees strongly dislike citrus scents, particularly orange and lemon. The d-limonene compound in citrus acts as a natural repellent.
DIY Citrus Spray Recipe:
- 2 cups water
- Peels from 4 oranges or 6 lemons
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- Boil peels in water for 10 minutes, strain, add soap
Loud Noise and Vibrations
Carpenter bees are extremely sensitive to vibrations. Installing wind chimes, playing loud music, or using ultrasonic devices near nesting areas drives them away.
Effective sound deterrents:
- Metal wind chimes (create constant vibration)
- Bass-heavy music (20-30 minutes daily)
- Ultrasonic pest repellers (20-40 kHz range)
Paint and Wood Stains
Carpenter bees hate painted or stained wood because it's harder to excavate and lacks the natural wood scent they seek. Polyurethane-based stains are particularly effective.
Most effective finishes:
- Oil-based paints (any color)
- Polyurethane wood stain
- Metallic paint (contains aluminum)
Tea Tree Oil
With its strong medicinal scent, tea tree oil effectively repels carpenter bees. Mix 20 drops with 1 cup water and spray weekly.
Synthetic Wood and Vinyl
Carpenter bees cannot penetrate synthetic materials. Installing vinyl siding, composite decking, or PVC trim eliminates potential nesting sites.
DIY Carpenter Bee Repellent Recipes
Super-Strength Almond Spray
- 2 tablespoons pure almond extract
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon dish soap
- 10 drops tea tree oil (optional)
Mix ingredients in spray bottle. Shake before each use. Apply directly to holes and surrounding wood every 2 weeks.
Citrus Power Solution
- 4 cups water
- Peels from 6 citrus fruits (mix of orange, lemon, lime)
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
Boil peels in water for 15 minutes. Strain, add vinegar and almond oil. Spray liberally on all exposed wood weekly.
Prevention Oil Blend
- 1/4 cup mineral oil
- 2 tablespoons almond oil
- 20 drops citrus essential oil
- 15 drops tea tree oil
Mix oils thoroughly. Apply with paintbrush to vulnerable wood areas monthly during active season.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees Once You Have Them
There are multiple ways to get rid of Carpenter bees once you have an infestation. We’ll go over a few of them:
- Use a spray insecticide that is labeled for wood boring insects, which includes carpenter bees.
- Apply insecticide dust to existing holes. It’s most effective to do this in the evening when the majority of the bees are back in the nest.
- Make noise with wind chimes or loud music. Carpenter bees are sensitive to noise and vibrations, so this can drive them out of your home.
- Call the professionals! This is the safest option, as professionals have all the necessary tools and know-how to properly eliminate carpenter bees.
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Are Carpenter Bees Dangerous?
Carpenter bees aren't necessarily dangerous to you personally. The biggest threat that carpenter bees pose is to your home. If they have a large enough population, carpenter bees can cause extensive damage as they tunnel through your home, eventually compromising its structural integrity. These bees aren’t aggressive, but some individuals may have an allergic reaction if stung.
Can Carpenter Bees Destroy A Deck?
Yes, carpenter bees can cause significant damage to decks over time. While they don't eat wood, their tunneling can weaken deck boards and railings. A severe infestation can compromise structural integrity within 3-5 years. Soft woods like pine and cedar are most vulnerable.
Can Carpenter Bees Sting You?
Yes, Carpenter bees can sting you, but only some of them. Female carpenter bees are the ones who have stingers, and they’re capable of stinging more than once. However, they’re unlikely to do so unless you provoke them by attempting to handle them or poking your fingers into their burrows. Male carpenter bees are the ones you’ll see guarding the nest and while they might act aggressively by flying at you, they can’t sting you.
Do Carpenter Bee Traps Really Work?
Carpenter bee traps are 70% effective when properly placed and maintained. Install traps 15-20 feet away from structures you want to protect, at the same height as existing holes. Traps work best as part of an integrated approach combining deterrents and hole sealing.
Do Carpenter Bees Come Back To The Same Place Every Year?
Yes, carpenter bees often return to the same locations annually. Young bees frequently reuse and expand old tunnels created by previous generations. This behavior makes sealing old holes in fall (September-October) crucial for preventing future infestations. Female bees can detect old nests from up to 50 feet away.
What Attracts Carpenter Bees?
Like other bees, carpenter bees are attracted to flowers. If you have lots of flowers in your yard, you’ll likely find these bees mingling with bumblebees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They’re also attracted to untreated wood, which can make fences, decks, and sheds, as well as wood siding. Carpenter bees also search for old nests that they can use and expand.
What Do Carpenter Bees Eat?
Contrary to popular belief, carpenter bees don’t eat wood—they use their mandibles to carve out tunnels, then push the sawdust out. Instead, Carpenter bees eat nectar like other bees. Carpenter bees feed their larvae “bee bread,” which is a mixture of pollen and nectar or honey.
What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Carpenter Bees?
The fastest method is applying insecticidal dust directly into active holes at dusk when bees are inside. This eliminates bees within 24-48 hours. For immediate deterrence without killing, spray almond oil extract directly into holes and play loud bass music near the nest for 30 minutes.
What Smell Do Carpenter Bees Hate The Most?
Carpenter bees hate almond oil and almond extract the most, with a 95% effectiveness rate. Citrus oils (orange, lemon, lime) are the second most effective natural deterrent, followed by tea tree oil and lavender. Apply these scents every 2-3 weeks during active season (April-September) for best results.
What Time Of Day Are Carpenter Bees Most Active?
Carpenter bees are most active during warm, sunny afternoons between 11 AM and 4 PM. They're least active at dawn and dusk, making evening (after 7 PM) the safest and most effective time to apply treatments or seal holes.
What's The Difference Between Carpenter Bees And Bumblebees?
Carpenter bees have shiny, black, hairless abdomens while bumblebees are fuzzy all over with yellow stripes. Carpenter bees are solitary and drill into wood; bumblebees are social and nest in the ground. Carpenter bees hover aggressively but males can't sting; bumblebees are generally docile but all can sting.
Will Carpenter Bees Eventually Go Away On Their Own?
No, carpenter bees will not go away on their own. Without intervention, populations increase yearly as new generations expand existing tunnels. A single untreated hole can become a 10-foot gallery system within 2-3 years, potentially causing structural damage.