Wood – How to deal with Carpenter Bees boring into the front porch

pest-controlwood

I noticed a single "bumblebee" hovering in front of my front door for days. When my handyman was out doing some repairs, he told me that it isn't a bumblebee, but a carpenter bee. Then he showed me where carpenter bees had bored a hole into the wood above my porch.

I called a couple of pest control companies. They said that sealing the hole now is risky because if I seal the hole and don't get every bee and egg inside, I run the risk of them boring new holes to get out. They recommended sealing the hole in the fall.

I like bees, but I draw the line at letting them eat my house.

  • What recommendations do you have for dealing with the carpenter bees?
  • When do the lady bees lay their eggs? Based on the time of year, should I wait until the fall to seal the hole?
  • Is Diatomaceous Earth effective against them? Should I put some in the hole?
  • Are traps effective?

Best Answer

Spar varnish, no exposed natural wood.

Stain doesn't cut it, they hate gnawing through paint.

We use a couple red or incense cedar chunks in various places like you use Zinc sacrificial anodes for marine electrolysis control.