Carpenter bee traps are effective, require very minimal maintenance, and offer a chemical-free solution to get rid of these unwanted carpenter bees. That being said they can be a little difficult on figuring out how to set them up. Thankfully we’ll walk you through how to use carpenter bee traps to protect your home!
A simple but brilliant design is necessary for designing an effective carpenter bee trap. That’s because this species of bees have nesting habits that are different from other kinds of bees. If you can understand their modus operandi, then making and using the traps is easier. Carpenter bee traps are different than other types of traps for stinging insects, because they are based on carpenter bees needs to burrow and dig through wood, which makes them the only bee species that does this.
These carpenter bee traps are one of the best ways on how to get rid of wood bees (carpenter bees).
Before talking about how to use a carpenter bee trap, let’s dive into the trap’s makeup for a bit.
What Is A Carpenter Bee Trap?
A carpenter bee trap usually has soft composite plywood in its base because carpenter bees focus on using softwood for their burrows. So this will attract them. In drilling holes into the trap, the diameter of the holes that carpenter bees naturally make has to be replicated.
The property is angled in a way that the light source gets cut off when the carpenter bee enters the wooden chamber of the trap.
The traps have durable plastics that are designed to withstand weather elements and allow them to last through several seasons. They usually come with a finishing that is refined with an aesthetically superior appeal. The traps have an appearance of a normal nest which tricks the carpenter bees into entering them and then traps them inside once they’ve entered. If you don’t want to buy a trap, you can learn how to make a carpenter bee trap!
The light is supplied only through a plastic container that is at the bottom of the trap, and that is the only source of light. As soon as the carpenter bees enter the trap, they become stuck and can no longer leave.
Normally, their instinct is to fly out towards the light at the bottom (which sometimes leads them into a funnel system that traps and prevents the carpenter bees from escaping because they cannot fly or walk directly toward the plastic.
It is not necessary to have carpenter bee bait placed in a carpenter bee trap because the moment one carpenter bee enters a trap, there will be more of them coming in. Pheromone from the entrapped bee is highly attractive to other carpenter bees and it brings them into the trap as well. But it is important to hang your traps somewhere where the bees will naturally find them. Find out where to hang your carpenter bee traps here.
Do Carpenter Bee Traps Work?
Yes, carpenter bee traps work very well. Carpenter bee traps are extremely effective at catching and trapping carpenter bees and keeping them from damaging your home.
They are designed in such a way that mimics an optimal nesting place for carpenter bees and once they are inside the trap they can’t make it out! If you are on the fence about using these traps, you should know that they can be very effective and since they are relatively cheap, you should definitely give carpenter bee traps a try!
How To Use Carpenter Bee Traps – Simple Steps!
It is best to hang or mount the bee traps in corners and peaks in your structure, especially where it is warm or sunny. Warmth is attractive to carpenter bees because it facilitates their mating game.
The carpenter bee trap should have anywhere from a 15-foot working radius in order for the structure to be well-protected. We’d advise you to hang multiple traps around. Also, the holes have to be clogged with a cork, plugs, putty, or caulking. The traps should not be hung around or under the eaves.
Adding dead carpenter bees as bait will allow the pheromones emitted by the dead ones to attract more bees.
Final Thoughts On Using Carpenter Bee Traps!
Avoid painting or staining the trap because it limits its effectiveness. Your traps should also be placed 15 feet maximum apart in order for them to deliver the best possible results. I hope this guide on how to use carpenter bee traps has been helpful and you are thoroughly protected from carpenter bee damage!
Resources:
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/carpenter_bees.shtml
