A previous thread about carpenter bees and traps for them.
https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...carpenter-bees
In that discussion I showed a trap I made of a 4x4 block.
Here I simplified it even further to use a single piece of 2x4 5-3/8" long. I made mine of treated pine,pretty much any wood will do. I know that carpenter bees don't mind treated pine because they have bored into the TP rails of my fence.
Here's a picture showing one on my fence that has caught looks like several bees this season and I didn't empty it out. The web references say the smell of the other bees is an additional attractant on addition to the inviting holes. These bees like to re-inhabit used holes so apparently the smell of previous occupant is helpful.
My 4x4 design had entrances on four sides but apparently 2 sides is plenty so scrap 2x4 material is easier to come by,
So here's the details
I like using a drill press so the holes don't wander.
Make some for your neighbors, if you have bees they probably do, too.
Basically they just take a few minutes. The material cost if you scrounge your scrap bin and medicine cabinet is nil. The dimensions are not critical. And I finished by with a few bevels of the long edges to look nicer. The bees are not fussy.
https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...carpenter-bees
In that discussion I showed a trap I made of a 4x4 block.
Here I simplified it even further to use a single piece of 2x4 5-3/8" long. I made mine of treated pine,pretty much any wood will do. I know that carpenter bees don't mind treated pine because they have bored into the TP rails of my fence.
Here's a picture showing one on my fence that has caught looks like several bees this season and I didn't empty it out. The web references say the smell of the other bees is an additional attractant on addition to the inviting holes. These bees like to re-inhabit used holes so apparently the smell of previous occupant is helpful.
My 4x4 design had entrances on four sides but apparently 2 sides is plenty so scrap 2x4 material is easier to come by,
So here's the details
- Cut a 2x4 to 5-3/8" long.
- Drill a 3/4" hole from the center bottom. 3-1/2" deep. A spade bit works OK, Forstners are good but I had to use a shank extender.
- Mark the center of the skinny sides 1-1/2 inches up from the bottom. Drill a hole centered at the 1.5" mark angled upwards 45 degrees and 3" deep to intersect the center 3/4" hole. The hole can be 3/8" to 1/2" I find 7/16" or 3/8" works well.
- Repeat from the other side..
- Make sure the holes all intersect in the middle of the block and clean out as many chips as you can so the passage ways are all clear. Hold each hole up to a strong light and look in the other two holes to make sure you can see the junction of the three holes clearly.
- I drilled some 1/4" through holes about 1/2" down from the top on the wide and narrow faces for hanging as you wish...
- I cut a couple of bevels on the top for appearance. I think about 1"".
- Take a small clear see-thru plastic pill bottle and drill a 1/2" hole in the center of the plastic cap. Mount the cap centered over the 3/4" hole in the bottom. I used two small brad nails but I imagine small screws or some hot melt adhesive or other adhesive will work well. I use a bead of hot melt glue to prevent hard rain from leaking into the bottle. I found that glass jars with screw lids would work but the glass caused condensation to form on the glass every morning and it accumulated water over time in the jar, a bit of a mess.
- The plastic pill bottle can be attached and removed for cleaning. I used non-safety caps but the safety caps probably work OK, too.
- Add a hanging strap of your choice in either direction. some string, wire, zip ties, or old string trimmer cord work equally well.
- I just hang these on a three inch nail head hammered into the fence rails a little bit.
- I have them about every 10-12 feet apart. I make 3 or four at a time. No finish is required; the bees like unfinished wood, apparently
I like using a drill press so the holes don't wander.
Make some for your neighbors, if you have bees they probably do, too.
Basically they just take a few minutes. The material cost if you scrounge your scrap bin and medicine cabinet is nil. The dimensions are not critical. And I finished by with a few bevels of the long edges to look nicer. The bees are not fussy.
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