This method is one of the safest and least bothersome means of getting rid of carpenter bees. There is a chance the bees might eventually return to the area of infestation after you dispel them with loud sounds. For best results, take preventive measures on the wooden structure as soon as the bees have all left. If you have neighbors who live close by, make sure you let them know you plan to use noise to get rid of your bee infestation before beginning this process. The loud music may be bothersome to them.
Carpenter bees, like other insects, have a natural aversion to citrus oil (which is why the skin and rind protect the fruit on the inside — to keep it away from predators) and so will be particularly bothered by your citrus-extract spray. This spray won’t kill the bees, but it will make them want to leave whatever wood they’ve built their nest in.
Hang your trap directly above the carpenter bee holes. If you don’t have an infestation, hanging traps is also a good method of preventing one. You can find bee traps online, in pest control and home gardening stores, and in some department stores.
If you want to ensure the bees are dead after you smack them, you can also step on them with shoes after they’ve been smacked to the ground. Because male carpenter bees are unable to sting and are the ones most likely to be buzzing around the nest, you’re unlikely to be stung using this method. Note that this is NOT a preferred method of getting rid of your bee infestation, since carpenter bees are helpful pollinators that are necessary for the proper cultivation of many crops.
Apply the dust at night to minimize your chances of being stung. You should only have to apply insecticidal dust once per season. Recommended insecticidal dusts include Sevin and Delta Dust Insecticide.
Some recommended insecticide sprays include Cyzmic CS, Demon WP, and FenvaStarCap. For best results, spray insecticide on the holes twice during the spring at intervals of roughly 3-4 weeks.
Petrol and diesel are both flammable liquids. Make sure you don’t use them near a source of ignition. Avoid getting petrol on your skin or inhaling its fumes. Wear an N-95 respirator, some goggles, and gloves when applying petrol to the holes. If using a spray bottle to spread petrol, be sure to label it and set it aside for petrol-only use in the future. You probably don’t want to use the spray bottle to spritz your plants with water after using it to gas carpenter bees.
Aerosol carburetor cleaner can be cheaply bought at any auto supply store. Be very careful to not get this in your face or eyes; wear protection and read the precautions for safety.
Make sure you use dust to stop the reproduction cycle; other insecticides can become absorbed into the wood or wear off before the larvae are hatched. Do not seal up the hole when first applying the insecticide dust. This forces the carpenter bees to burrow new holes, meaning there’s a chance they won’t pass through the insecticide.
Make sure all the bees are dead before plugging the existing holes. Any carpenter bees that become trapped by the plugs will simply drill new tunnels into the wood around them. The best time to fill in these holes is in the fall months.
Painted wood is slightly better at discouraging infestation than stained wood, but the difference is effectively marginal.
Particularly vulnerable areas include underneath rail sidings, under decks, and around window sills. Untreated wood is especially vulnerable to infestation and should be treated with insecticide if it hasn’t been painted or stained.
