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Pest Control 101 > Treating for Bees, Wasps and other Flying insects |
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The carpenter bee is unique from most because it will bore into wood to make its home. They are a nuisance and can cause damage to any wood found on your property. They also bother homeowners by "attacking" them. Carpenter bees bore holes into wood overhangs, fence posts, and trees. They will crawl between the cracks in your siding and roofing. The male bees are easy to kill by spraying them with Wasp Freeze. To eliminate the females and larva, use Drione Dust. You will need a duster to insert the Drione Dust into the holes. A Crusader Hand Duster will work in areas you can safely reach. Carefully use ladders as necessary to reach the bore holes. All wood gives off a decay odor, which attracts these bees. To stop them from boring new nests, spray Cypermethrin. This product is effective against many pests including carpenter bees. The brand name on the bottle may vary, but the active ingredient will always be Cypermethrin. Dilute the Cypermethrin at the rate of 1 ounce per gallon of water and use a Pump Sprayer to spray it on any untreated wood surfaces where carpenter bees may want to make a new nest. One gallon can treat 500-1,000 square feet. This application rate works well when treating cedar homes and log cabins. These homes are particularly subject to carpenter bees. Apply the Cypermethrin once every 2-4 weeks in the Spring when they are most active. Be sure to get good coverage when treating by spraying high and wide. Remember that spot applications are not effective. If you have activity in one section of an overhang, be sure to treat all of it because the bees will probably just move to the untreated section. When you are done you can fill the holes left from the bees by buying 1/2" corks from your local hardware store. Then just paint or stain over the cork.
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