Repelling Carpenter bees

[LinuxRandal]

[REALLY not trying to stir the pot, just humor]

Have them join the Carpenter's Union, they won't work a day after that.

[/REALLY not trying to stir the pot, just humor]

LOL, I was thinking along the same lines, but have them get shut down, by the building inspector bee.

[rja]

I have a neighbor who, I have heard, eliminates ground bees nests and such by pouring gasoline down the hole, then parking a rotary lawnmower at full speed over the hole.

[rjwaldren]

Now that's the kind of creative genius that I love about these forums!

I'm seeing a DIY 4th of July solution in there too.

Wasn't the an accidental diaper cannon posted here a while back?

[Mr__Bill]

I have a neighbor who, I have heard, eliminates ground bees nests and such by pouring gasoline down the hole, then parking a rotary lawnmower at full speed over the hole.

actually gasoline, expanded metal screen and match do a good job of it, be advised however that the nest has more than one entrance, or in this case exit. also note that flying burning bees are nasty and do tend to spread the joy.

i was told by exterminators that the carpenter bees will avoid wood that was painted with oil based paint.


bill, who now has yellow stripy things living in the ground where the main water shut off is and is hoping that he doesn't have a flood.

[docrowan]

I've only had trouble with carpenter bees once. I had a newly built shed that had one hole bored in it before I got it painted. Once I painted it I never had any more trouble. Could you paint any wood that is attracting them?

[mjernigan]

Umm... any chance you can just ignore them, fly-bys notwithstanding? I've always heard that they won't bother you, and that's been my experience here in Greensboro, NC. I DID actually kill one the other day, though, in a most spectacular (not for the bee) way: with a chainsaw, running, of course.

Cutting up an old log in the back yard, I suppose I disturbed a burrow, and investigating, the poor gal ran right into the blade. Given that I've cohabitated with them peacefully for a while, I actually felt a bit guilty as I stepped on her to deliver the coup de grace.

Perhaps once your daughter understands that while initially scary, they're not agressive, she won't be so bothered.

And from Wiki: "Males of some species have a white or yellow face, where the females do not; males also often have much larger eyes than the females, which relates to their mating behavior. Male bees are often seen hovering near nests, and will approach nearby animals. However, males are harmless since they do not have a stinger[3]. Female bees do have a stinger, but are not aggressive, and will not sting unless directly provoked."

[rjwaldren]

I think the problem here is that they want to be right around where our outdoor lounge area is, we spend a lot of time out there. So whether aggressive or not we are competing for the same space. I can't just ignore them, the flyby's (strafing runs) are more than occasional, an seem like they are trying to warn us away. No luck finding the nest yet though I did find a neighbor with a newer cedar pergola that doesn't look to be treated.

I haven't seen them at all today. But over the last few days it was like swiping at a fly 50 times just to have it land back in the same spot every time.

[jziegler]

I think the problem here is that they want to be right around where our outdoor lounge area is, we spend a lot of time out there. So whether aggressive or not we are competing for the same space. I can't just ignore them, the flyby's (strafing runs) are more than occasional, an seem like they are trying to warn us away. No luck finding the nest yet though I did find a neighbor with a newer cedar pergola that doesn't look to be treated.

I haven't seen them at all today. But over the last few days it was like swiping at a fly 50 times just to have it land back in the same spot every time.

Treated does not seem to mater for them. I have some treated fence in front of the house, and there are some nice holes that the carpenter bees are working on. New dust on a regular basis. It really seems that painting all of the wood is the only sure way to keep them away.

Jim