Spring in Southern Ontario brings more than just budding flowers; it also marks the return of the Eastern Carpenter Bee. While these large, hovering bees are excellent pollinators, their habit of drilling perfectly circular holes into your deck, fence, or eaves can lead to significant structural issues over time.
If you’ve noticed these “shiny-bottomed” bees hovering around your home, here is how to get rid of carpenter bees and protect your property.
Step 1: Prevention is the Best Defense
Carpenter bees are picky about where they live. They strongly prefer untreated, weathered softwood like cedar, pine, or redwood.
- Paint or Stain Everything: This is the single most effective deterrent. A thick coat of exterior paint or a solid-core stain creates a barrier that makes the wood much less appealing for drilling.
- Seal Existing Gaps: Inspect your home for any existing cracks or crevices in wood siding or trim. Use wood putty or caulk to seal these up before the bees find them.
- Bee-Resistant Wood: If you are building a new deck or fence, consider using pressure-treated wood or composite materials, which are much harder for bees to penetrate.
Step 2: DIY Solutions for Active Infestations
If you already see those distinctive dime-sized holes, you need to take action to stop the nesting cycle.
- Vacuuming: For a non-toxic approach, some homeowners use a shop-vac to remove bees as they enter or exit the holes. This is most effective in the early evening when they return to the nest.
- Essential Oils: Spraying a mixture of water and citrus or peppermint oil around the nesting areas can act as a natural repellent, as the bees dislike these strong scents.
- The “Plug and Seal” Method: Do not plug a hole while a bee is still inside, as they may simply drill a new exit path. Wait until the fall or very early spring when the tunnels are empty. Insert a wooden dowel coated in wood glue into the hole, then sand and paint over it.
Step 3: When to Call the Professionals
While a single hole might seem manageable, carpenter bee problems can escalate quickly. Here is when you should contact a professional pest management service:
- High-Altitude Nests: If the bees are nesting in your roofline, fascia boards, or second-story eaves, trying to treat them from a ladder is a safety risk.
- Structural Damage: If you see “sawdust” (frass) piling up or yellow/brown staining on your siding, it indicates a deep gallery of tunnels that can weaken the wood’s integrity.
- Recurring Infestations: Carpenter bees are creatures of habit. They often return to the same wood year after year. Professionals can apply localized residual treatments that prevent new bees from re-colonizing old tunnels.
- Identifying the “Look-Alikes”: It’s easy to confuse carpenter bees with bumble bees. A professional can ensure you aren’t accidentally harming beneficial, ground-nesting bumble bees that aren’t actually damaging your home.
Protect Your Southern Ontario Home
From Windsor and LaSalle to Chatham-Kent and St. Thomas, carpenter bees are a common spring nuisance. By combining proactive maintenance with professional intervention when needed, you can enjoy your outdoor space without the worry of wood-boring pests.