Borer bees

[GunnyGene]

Today was trap emptying day. I really hate these critters - some people call them carpenter bees. They drill big long holes/tunnels about 1/2" in diameter in unprotected wood to lay eggs that hatch in the spring and can destroy wood, besides being an aggressive nuisance. The males can't sting, but there's lots of them that protect the few females which can sting. And they'll dive bomb you to try to scare you away. Anyway, I have several traps hung out around my shop, and every winter I have to empty them out. Gotta do it when it's cold, cause the corpses really stink when the weather warms up. There's a lot of different designs for DIY traps on the web, or you can buy them at your local home improvement store.

[Grunt67]

They are a mess alright. I used to love batting them with a tobacco stick, back in the day. Some folks load up bird shot in pistol cases, and shoot the little buggers.
Have fun, pard, LOL

[fortyshooter]

Same here and usually around mid April and into May when they start buzzing around.

[krunchnik]

We don't have many of those here in the Memphis area-had one about 2 years ago making a whole in the post on our deck-couldn't figure out why this Bee was staying in one spot-till he moved a little and I saw the whole-he never saw it coming either.

[JEBar]

Today was trap emptying day.

have you found a brand of Carpenter Bee Trap that works better than the rest .... every one I've seen has folks who like them and about as many folks who say its useless

[Ojaileveraction]

And here I am making nest hangers for our local carpenter bees. In support of our local polinaters.
The Valley Carpenter Bees like pithy wood to make her brood bores, so I've been setting up cut Agave Stocks for them.
Several years ago I had an Agave Birds Nest Box on my patio and the Bees used it to nest. Never bothered any real wood though there are many kinds, soft to hard, availabe.
Don't see many around any more.
Californians, sheesh.

[GunnyGene]

Today was trap emptying day.

have you found a brand of Carpenter Bee Trap that works better than the rest .... every one I've seen has folks who like them and about as many folks who say its useless

I make my own. One trap will capture about a pint or more per season, and I have 4 of them around the perimeter of the shop. I'll take pic of one tomorrow and post it here along with a description and basic instructions if you want to make them.

[Ernie]

I spray the new holes with wasp spray a couple times and putty them up with epoxy. One year I simply used caulk in the holes and the larvae just pushed the caulk out. Tough little critters.

[markiver54]

Today was trap emptying day.

have you found a brand of Carpenter Bee Trap that works better than the rest .... every one I've seen has folks who like them and about as many folks who say its useless

I make my own. One trap will capture about a pint or more per season, and I have 4 of them around the perimeter of the shop. I'll take pic of one tomorrow and post it here along with a description and basic instructions if you want to make them.

I make my own as well. Thank you to 'ball's' canning jars. I harvest quite a few. Certainly helps to keep an old tennis racket around also. We used to just call them Bumble Bees. Guess that works, because they just hover. Then , around comes the racket....smack!! ...gone. I'm learning how to deal with these destructive insects!

[Mags]

.
I use one of these...
https://www.amazon.com/Elucto-Electric- ... NrPXRydWU=

[roddy]

Sounds like someone could use a new Henry Garden Gun...

[JEBar]

I make my own. One trap will capture about a pint or more per season, and I have 4 of them around the perimeter of the shop. I'll take pic of one tomorrow and post it here along with a description and basic instructions if you want to make them.

I'd appreciate that

[GunnyGene]

I make my own. One trap will capture about a pint or more per season, and I have 4 of them around the perimeter of the shop. I'll take pic of one tomorrow and post it here along with a description and basic instructions if you want to make them.

I'd appreciate that

As I mentioned there are dozens of alternative designs, this is how I do it. Plus I had all the materials on hand.

None of the dimensions are critical except the size of the entry holes, which should be 1/2" and drilled at approx a 45* angle upwards towards the roof and about 1/3 of the way below it. I used some scrap cedar for the box, but any 1/2" to 3/4" thick soft wood will work. There should be one hole on each exposed side of the box. I used a 2 bottle design as shown below. A ordinary small plastic water bottle and a large plastic bottle. The floor of the box should have a hole slightly smaller than the small bottle. Cut the bottoms out of the bottles and cut tabs to staple the bottles to the floor. The small bottle keeps them from flying back out and funnels them down into the large capped bottle. They always try to go towards the light. I've had mine hanging for 7 or 8 years.



Drawing I found on the web.



As an aside to others who have( or might) recommend guns, tennis rackets, RPG's, flame throwers, or nukes : I'm too old, lazy, and cheap to be chasing bees or expending ammo on them.

[markiver54]

.
I use one of these...
https://www.amazon.com/Elucto-Electric- ... NrPXRydWU=

Looks kinda cool, but as hard as I smack them, they're dead on impact, or knocked outa the neighborhood.

[markiver54]

These are very easy to make, work very well and easy to empty. After made and before hanging, it helps to put a dead one in the jar. As you can see, this one is almost half full. Just have not emptied it yet since last year. I've made about 8 of these.

20200223_105300.jpg (117.94 KiB) Viewed 2252 times

[GunnyGene]

These are very easy to make, work very well and easy to empty. After made and before hanging, it helps to put a dead one in the jar. As you can see, this one is almost half full. Just have not emptied it yet since last year. I've made about 8 of these.

20200223_105300.jpg

I actually like the mason jar design better for the reasons you mention, but it can get a little rowdy around my shop and I didn't want to risk broken glass all over the ground.

[markiver54]

I hear Ya Gunny. Mine are up high enough though, so no risk of them getting hit. I always make sure the lids are tight as well.

[JEBar]

pictures and design/construction comments appreciated .... I need to try and put a few together when we get back home

[markiver54]

pictures and design/construction comments appreciated .... I need to try and put a few together when we get back home

Will post my very simple procedure soon Jim. They do work!

[JEBar]

I'd appreciate that