How to get rid of carpenter bees – 6 ways to deter these pests

Carpenter bees can damage wooden structures, which is why you need to look out for them and discourage them from these parts of your home. 

Part of the Xylocopa genus of the Apidae, or bee family, carpenter bees are common in the USA, and while they are important pollinators of many flowering plants, they can damage sheds, pergolas and much more. 

Unlike with getting rid of wasps, where you may seek to kill them if you have a real problem, it is far better to deter carpenter bees in the first place – they are only seen as pests because of the damage they can do to buildings.

How to get rid of carpenter bees without killing them

Getting rid of carpenter bees without killing them is best for a wildlife-friendly garden. Try natural methods if possible – any treatment that can harm the environment, and in particular useful pollinators, should ideally be avoided.

To make wooden structures much less appealing to carpenter bees, it's vital to varnish or paint them – carpenter bees love untreated or unstained wood, but hate wood that has been treated. This is an easy fix and will protect wood structures from the weather, too.

Get rid of carpenter bees in your backyard

There are many ways to get rid of carpenter bees, from doing so without killing them to using spray and even vinegar. These are the most effective ways of tackling them.

1. Use a natural spray

For a natural solution that deters rather than kills them – our preferred route – use citrus scents, which they dislike, to get rid of them.

To make your own, boil up citrus fruit rinds in water, or add some drops of citrus oil to water, and spray around the tell-tale holes. It's thought that the scent of lemon is effective at deterring ants, too.

Alternatively, try a few drops of almond oil. 

If you’re worried about the solution marking the wood, try it out in an inconspicuous area first.

2. Try an insecticide

Of course, you can kill carpenter bees with insecticide but that should only be done in desperate circumstances because, as we say, these are important pollinators. Also, be aware that insecticides are hazardous to children and pets so keep them in the house while you work, and put on protective clothing. 

Spraying an insecticide onto the wood where carpenter bees will or have in the past gathered before they arrive will deter them. Some specialist insecticides designed for carpenter bees can also be sprayed around and into their holes. Try a foaming aerosol, such as BioAdvanced Termite and Carpenter BeeKiller Plus from Amazon (opens in new tab), to get right into the tunnels the bees create, or use an insecticidal liquid in a trigger spray. Alternatively, insecticidal dust can be puffed into the holes. 

You might need to make repeat applications, starting in early spring. Once the bees have died, seal up the holes to prevent them from being used by new bees. Lengths of wooden dowelling or caulk can be used to plug the holes. 

Worried about getting too close to carpenter bees? We would always advise calling in a professional firm to do the job for you.

3. Deter them with sound

It’s said that carpenter bees are affected by sound, so by turning up the volume close to the carpenter bees’ home, the vibrations might encourage them to move out. Do explain to your neighbors before blasting them with noise for a couple of days.

Another option is to try wind chimes, which may be enough to deter them from settling.

4. Use a carpenter bee trap

You can use a carpenter bee trap, such as these Original B Brothers designs from Amazon (opens in new tab). The bees fly in but they can’t escape. Choose one that’s designed specifically for carpenter bees, and hang the trap close to the affected wood. 

You can also make your own bee trap, constructing a wooden box with angled holes for the bee to enter, with a plastic jar fixed to the bottom – the bees get in and head towards the light but can’t get out.

5. Use vinegar

To get rid of carpenter bees with vinegar, mix up a strong solution of vinegar and water and spray it directly into the bees' holes. This will kill carpenter bee larvae, so if you are looking to deter them rather than kill them, you might want to look to more bee-friendly options.

6. Try using WD40

You can use WD40, available from Amazon (opens in new tab), to get rid of carpenter bees – spray it into their nest and they will die or flee quickly. 

However, this is another method of getting rid of carpenter bees that isn't wildlife friendly. Plus, WD40 is highly flammable, toxic, and has a very strong scent. 

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