NFT: Carpenter bees in my fence

Spray it directly into the holes then run..

Let it dry then plug all the holes with some wood filler. After that, spray the fence with some strong insecticide. I use Talstar-P. Sprays on, leave alone for 24 hrs. Good for about one month.

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Link - ( New Window )

I like to get wood filler and just entomb the little bastards.

First, your fence may be shot already and need to be replaced as carpenter bees so tremendous damage and come back to the same area winter after winter.

If your fence isn’t rotted out from the inside, get a professional exterminator—it’s like $300 and they have professional powers/poisons that kill them on one application and it’s guaranteed.

Next, you need to fill the holes and STAIN your fence as the bees do not like stain and won’t come back. You just have to worry if they find somewhere else.

Harmless creatures and good pollinators.

In comment 16508644 ThreePoints said:

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Harmless creatures and good pollinators.

They’re actually pretty destructive

In comment 16508644 ThreePoints said:

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Harmless creatures and good pollinators.

They can absolutely destroy a house faster than termites.

Seriously - they are tougher than normal bees. Best is prevention. They go after exposed wood so stain and paint after eradicating is key or you will continue to have issues. If you are in ny the pros have the good atuff that is harder to get a hold of.

It foams to fill the tunnels and kill the larvae. I usually spray this and then use wood filler to seal the hole.
Link - ( New Window )

I have two of them on my deck, and they work. Can pick them up at Walmart. Has significantly cut down on the amount we had around our deck.
Carpenter Bee Traps - ( New Window )

I had them in mailbox post......they entombed in the post now.

Sanded the areas, paint and stained....looks brand new

In comment 16508681 Costy16 said:

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I have two of them on my deck, and they work. Can pick them up at Walmart. Has significantly cut down on the amount we had around our deck. Carpenter Bee Traps - ( New Window )

I found that bee traps work best. Had exterminators come out for years. Nothing else killed them. It takes time for the first one to go in the house. Once the first one is in, it attracts the rest of them.

what fun you can have with a tennis racket and some carpenter bees.

Didn't realize how extensive the carpenter bee damage was on it. Even after several bouts of spraying, filling and patching, and then calling in the exterminator, they were relentless. If it is a spot they are familiar with they will not hesitate to come back.

Ended up going with a composite deck - haven't seen them since

$300 exterminator?!

The traps are cheap and work great. Carpenter bees don't have a hive, they come in pairs.

I used to go at em with a waffle bat cause they're territorial little bastards and harass me on my deck.

Trick is to swing ABOVE them. They fly straight up when you swing. CLICK! Very satisfying.

They ARE pollinators, so don't get all genocidal on em. Just knock out the ones where you need em gone.

Tennis racket also works well. *PINGggg!!*

In comment 16508830 x meadowlander said:

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$300 exterminator?! The traps are cheap and work great. Carpenter bees don't have a hive, they come in pairs. I used to go at em with a waffle bat cause they're territorial little bastards and harass me on my deck. Trick is to swing ABOVE them. They fly straight up when you swing. CLICK! Very satisfying. They ARE pollinators, so don't get all genocidal on em. Just knock out the ones where you need em gone. Tennis racket also works well. *PINGggg!!*

Ugh I’d hate to see the inside of your attic. Probably infested.

Take care of the bees and then get a 3/8 dowel to plug it. Cut sand it and paint and/or stain. But if they are still around they will just bore more holes
Good luck

leave enough space to caulk over the hole.

Get the traps Steve and others mentioned.

They are highly destructive here in KY..

They can and may well bore another hole right next to the one you filled.

Never had luck with wood traps. But after hearing the positive remarks here, Maybe I'll try them again next year.

In comment 16508644 ThreePoints said:

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Harmless creatures and good pollinators.

Different bees.

In comment 16508644 ThreePoints said:

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Harmless creatures and good pollinators.

Honey bees maybe, carpenter bees are like termites. They'll destroy your house.

... utilizing unused 4x4 post pieces that I had kept as wheel chocks.
If the wood is treated, most 4x4s are, it has to be old. As mentioned, they don't like chemicals.

The traps mostly work.

Bats and rackets are fun.

Pileated woodpeckers love them and will tear up whatever they've burrowed into.

and you have the double-whammy of woodpeckers coming after them. Best defense is to spray, seal and stain every couple of years, especially if you have soft wood.