
How to bait a carpenter bee trap?
Once dead, it releases a pheromone that will attract more carpenter bees to the nest. The more dead carpenter bees, the stronger the attractive smell of the trap and the better the trap works. So, if you want to bait the trap all you need to do is place a dead carpenter bee in the bottom receptacle of the trap.
Where should I Place my Bee traps?
If you do not have an existing infestation, you'll want to be strategic in your placement of the traps. Best results occur when traps are placed at the corners and peaks of buildings and hung with the provided wire hanger. It is not recommended to hang a trap under a rafter as the bees are less likely to see the hole.
Can you hang a bee trap under a rafter?
It is not recommended to hang a trap under a rafter as the bees are less likely to see the hole. Also to note is their preference to the sunny side of your structure as carpenter bees are attracted to warmth.
How do you make a carpenter bee trap roof?
The 6-inch-wide plank of wood will become the roof of the carpenter bee trap. Measure and cut the length you need, ensuring that it’s long enough for 1 inch of overhang on each side. Position the roof on top of the block of wood, making sure the side holes are still angled upward, then nail it in place with a hammer.

What do you put in a carpenter bee trap to attract them?
0:421:39Attract More Bees to Your Carpenter Bee Trap - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo our all-natural be delightful B bait is packed full of B pheromone. It will put off an odor thatMoreSo our all-natural be delightful B bait is packed full of B pheromone. It will put off an odor that will attract bees faster. How do you use it just open up the trap.
Do carpenter bee traps have to hang?
The carpenter bee trap has a flat top and one flat side so it may be screwed to wood directly over the existing carpenter bee holes. You can also just hang the carpenter bee trap by the wire on top. If you wish to remove the wire, just push it out through the bottom of the carpenter bee trap.
How long does it take for a carpenter bee trap to work?
Not all traps will work immediately when they are hung up. Some will, but the majority take a few hours to a few days. Remember, carpenter bees are creatures of habit with a strong sense of smell, and your new carpenter bee trap came from a warehouse that smells nothing like your outdoor home environment.
How do you use a carpenter bee trap?
More videos on YouTubeUse dead carpenter bees to jump-start your trap. ... Place the trap where the bees can see it. ... Close up existing nest holes before hanging your trap(s) ... Don't paint or stain your trap. ... We recommend one trap every 15 feet for maximum effectiveness.More items...
What to do with carpenter bees after you trap them?
How to Dispose of Carpenter BeesFreeze the bees! Carefully place your carpenter bee trap in a plastic bag and tie or zip it shut. ... Submerge in Water. Use an old bucket or plastic container and fill it with water (and only water! ... Catch and Release.
How do I get rid of carpenter bees permanently?
Pesticides offer an effective means to eliminate the pests. Carpenter bee sprays can be applied on and around the holes in the wood and is effective on newer intrusions. Spray insecticide more heavily in early spring to prevent infestation and then treat regularly throughout the summer.
When should you put out carpenter bee traps?
You should put out your carpenter bee traps at the beginning of Spring! Carpenter bees are most active during Spring and Early Summer, so you want to be prepared!
Do you put bait in carpenter bee traps?
So, if you want to bait the trap all you need to do is place a dead carpenter bee in the bottom receptacle of the trap. One other solution to jump-start your carpenter be is our Bee Bait. Simply apply a dime-sized amount of our Bee Bait to the inside of the receptacle and hang your trap!
When should you trap carpenter bees?
Carpenter bees are highly attracted to the pheromone released by dead carpenter bees! Keep the traps up all the way until the end of fall. Store them in a dry place over winter, and then place the traps back out right at the beginning of spring!
Do the carpenter bee traps really work?
Carpenter Bee Traps at Work Elegantly simple and wildly effective, the trap basically copies the bee's nest. The bees happily crawl into strategically pre-drilled holes in a wooden block, but once inside, the bees can't find the entrance holes.
How many carpenter bee traps do you need?
If you know carpenter bees are interested in more than a 15-foot span of your home, we always suggest installing more than one trap. Having proper coverage is truly the best way to keep your home safe.
How long do carpenter bees stay around?
Carpenter bees are very active from early spring through summer around houses and other wooden structures. These insects earn their name because they bore one-half inch wide holes that appear to be perfectly round on exterior wooden surfaces.
When should you hang a bee trap?
You should put out your carpenter bee traps at the beginning of Spring! Carpenter bees are most active during Spring and Early Summer, so you want to be prepared!
How many carpenter bee traps do you need?
If you know carpenter bees are interested in more than a 15-foot span of your home, we always suggest installing more than one trap. Having proper coverage is truly the best way to keep your home safe.
When should I put out a bee trap?
Too late, and you'll have missed all the swarming bees. Swarm traps should be out in the spring. That means that by mid April, you should start putting your traps out. Most swarming occurs in May and June, so you want your traps to be ready before then.
When should I put out my yellow jacket trap?
The western yellowjacket trap should be properly installed in late April when the queen is foraging for nesting material and protein, usually in late April and throughout May.
How long does it take for a carpenter bee to fly?
If at first you see carpenter bees flying around but not going into the trap, don’t panic! Sometimes it can take a couple days for the traps to attract the carpenter bees. But once a trap catches one it will be smooth sailing as the pheromone from the dead carpenter bee is released.
When do carpenter bees come out?
Carpenter bees are active in the spring when they are mating and building nests. After their nests have been constructed and the eggs laid, the adult bees die. The larva grows in the nests and emerges in spring to continue the cycle. Once the warm weather is gone there will be no need for the traps to be out.
Can you hang a bee trap under a rafter?
Best results occur when traps are placed at the corners and peaks of buildings and hung with the provided wire hanger. It is not recommended to hang a trap under a rafter as the bees are less likely to see the hole.
Can you hang a trap over a carpenter bee nest?
Once the holes have been covered up though, we recommend hanging our traps directly over any carpenter bee nests that are plugged up. When the carpenter bees realize their nest is gone, they will search for a new easy nest to make...AKA the trap!
Do carpenter bees need to be plugged up?
Because carpenter bees are relatively predictable creatures, we can determine the best location for the traps before they start making holes in your home. If you have an existing carpenter bee infestation, we recommend plugging up the holes before hanging the trap.
Do carpenter bees chase other bees?
Carpenter bees are highly territorial and will chase away other carpenter bees from the area they nest in. If you place a carpenter bee trap by an existing nest the carpenter bee male will make your trap highly ineffective.
Do carpenter bee traps need to be out?
Once the warm weather is gone there will be no need for the traps to be out. So as long as the traps are out with spring and away in the winter, the traps will be doing their job. For additional tips and tricks for our carpenter bee solution, visit our learn more page.
What happens after a carpenter bee selects its mate?
After a carpenter bee selects its mate, the bees search for a place to build their home. Hopefully at this point you already have your trap up. Your carpenter bee traps will yield the greatest results if they are put up before the nesting action begins.
Why plug a carpenter bee nest?
Plugging the existing nests is crucial because carpenter bees are extremely territorial creatures. When they have established a nest, they are hyperfocused on maintaining and protecting that nest. This means they will ignore the trap even if you put it right next to their home.
How to increase the attractiveness of a late season trap?
You can increase the attractiveness of your late-season trap by adding dead carpenter bees to the bottom of the trap, or by putting a dime-sized amount of our Bee-Licious Bee Bait onto the bottom tube. Carpenter bees are highly attracted to the pheromone released by dead carpenter bees!
How long does it take for a carpenter bee to mate?
Carpenter bees are solitary bees, which means every female must find a male to mate with. This process can take 2–3 weeks. This is the absolute best time to proactively install your carpenter bee traps. After a carpenter bee selects its mate, the bees search for a place to build their home.
When to patch up carpenter bees?
Be sure to wear gloves when taking care of any active nests. Female carpenter bees can give a prickly sting! The best time to patch up a nest is at dusk.
Can you put up a trap for a carpenter bee?
Even if you are behind the bees’ mating schedule, you can still put up your carpenter bee traps after nesting has occurred. Just be sure to plug up any existing carpenter bee nests before putting up your traps. Plugging the existing nests is crucial because carpenter bees are extremely territorial creatures. When they have established ...
Do carpenter bees lay eggs?
Carpenter bees are the same. They have put in a lot of work and even laid some eggs deep in the tunnels of the nest. That female carpenter bee isn’t just going to leave all her life’s hard work behind. She needs a reason to leave – her nest has to be inaccessible.
How to use bee bait on a trap?
Simply apply a dime-sized amount of our Bee Bait to the inside of the receptacle and hang your trap!
How to bait a carpenter bee trap?
Simply apply a dime-sized amount of our Bee Bait to the inside of the receptacle and hang your trap!
What happens when a carpenter bee enters a trap?
Once the carpenter bee enters the trap, the angled entrance holes minimize the light in the central chamber. The opaque bottom of the trap then becomes the largest light source and the carpenter bee flies down. Now the carpenter bee is truly stuck!
When do carpenter bees approach the trap?
A carpenter bee will approach the trap when they are looking for a new nest. This typically occurs in the spring. The unfinished softwood exterior and specifically sized entrance holes are appealing to a searching carpenter bee.
Can carpenter bees fly?
Carpenter bees cannot fly directly up nor can they walk up the plastic components in the trap. The carpenter bee will drop down into the bottom receptacle where it perishes. Once dead, it releases a pheromone that will attract more carpenter bees to the nest.
Do you need to apply more bait to a bee trap?
A: You do not need to apply more when you empty, the trap will work without the bait. But if you see the bees reacting well to the bait, then keep up the applications for best results.
Does bee bait smell?
A: The bee bait is made with natural ingredients, but it does smell terrible. We recommend wearing gloves or washing your hands directly after use.
How Do Carpenter Bee Traps Work?
The advantage of a carpenter bee trap is that it includes premade tunnel systems for them to naturally want to explore and utilize. Using a softer, untreated wood that carpenter bees would normally choose helps encourage them to investigate the trap.
How to get bees to travel from block to mason jar?
Remove the lid of the mason jar and set it on a piece of scrap wood or right over the hole on the bottom of your block. Mark the center of the lid. With the ½-inch drill bit, drill a hole in the center of the lid. This lid will act as the transition point for the bees to travel from the block to the mason jar.
How to make a carpenter bee tunnel?
Choose three long sides of the block to drill holes. Using the same ½-inch drill bit, drill three separate holes at 45-degree angles that drive up toward the center hole and end there. This creates a connected tunnel system. Be sure to drill these side holes going at an upward angle so that sunlight cannot shine down into the trap.
What are the advantages of a carpenter bee trap?
The advantage of a carpenter bee trap is that it includes premade tunnel systems for them to naturally want to explore and utilize. Using a softer, untreated wood that carpenter bees would normally choose helps encourage them to investigate the trap.
How to keep carpenter bees away from mason jar?
Build the trap away from the area where the carpenter bees are to avoid agitating them. Consider adding a drop of honey or some sugar water to the mason jar to make the trap more alluring.
How do bees find the main channel?
Once the bees enter the side holes, they climb up and find the main channel as they explore the best place to lay their eggs. The clear mason jar at the bottom shines light up into the main hole of the block. Since the side holes are drilled at an upward angle, sunlight cannot shine down into them. Bees will think that the brighter light coming from the mason jar is their exit and make their way down toward the jar and end up trapped rather than outside as they expected.
What to do if you don't feel comfortable handling a bee problem in your yard?
However, if you’re unsure of what pest is present, or you don’t feel comfortable handling a potential bee problem in your yard, a local beekeeper or pest management professional can always come to take a look. A professional can help to safely relocate these helpful creatures to another location.
What is the best trap for carpenter bees?
Mac’s Carpenter Bee Trap is one of the best you can find out there. It is made to look exactly like the natural nest of carpenter bees so they can easily enter it.
What is a carpenter bee trap?
Carpenter bee traps usually consist of softwood, a plastic jar or bottle, and a lure. The lure is applied on the wood and inside the bottle or jar to help attract and keep the carpenter bees trapped.
How to get rid of dead bees in house?
Install carpenter bee traps and baits all over the house, especially for those whose houses are completely made of woods. Install as many of them as you can around the house and regularly check them to dispose of the dead bodies of those caught.
Why is price important when choosing a carpenter bee bait?
Price is another very important factor when it comes to choosing a carpenter bee bait or trap. You need to choose a product that works based on your budget. The reason for that is because you may require to get more than one of those carpenter bee traps if you want to control the infestation on time.
How to keep carpenter bees away from my house?
While you may not be able to completely stop carpenter bees from flying around your house, there are certain things you can do to stop them from resting in it. Some of those things are: 1 Paint the surfaces of woods around the house. Carpenter bees hardly ever attack painted woods. 2 Treat unpainted softwood outside the house regularly. Sometimes you may have to store them in a different location after treatment. 3 Install carpenter bee traps and baits all over the house, especially for those whose houses are completely made of woods. Install as many of them as you can around the house and regularly check them to dispose of the dead bodies of those caught.
What determines the effectiveness of a carpenter bee catcher?
While the homemade types are effective, you can’t always compare them to the commercial types that have been carefully designed to attract and trap insects.
How long does it take for carpenter bees to see results?
Within a few hours or days, you should start seeing results right within your trap. A lot of carpenter bees will be caught in it.
What Attracts Carpenter Bees to a Trap? / Do Carpenter Bee Traps Need Bait?
Carpenter Bee Traps do not require bait. As soon as there is one bee in the trap, expect to see many more! The dead bees release a pheromone that is highly attractive to other carpenter bees. The more dead bees, the more attractive the trap will get! This is the same science behind how a carpenter bee finds its way back to the nest each year.
How to Trap Wood Bees?
Not sure what type of bees are ruining your wood? The good news is that these wood bees/big black bees are also carpenter bees. Wood Bee is just another nickname for the carpenter bees that get their more common name from their nesting habits. Our carpenter bee trap will work for these as well.
How do carpenter bees escape?
In our trap, the largest light source comes from the bottom clear funnel. The funnel accelerates the bee's movement downward into the receptacle below. Following the light in the trap tricks the bees to travel through a unique funnel system which reduces clogging and prevents carpenter bees from escaping. Carpenter bees cannot fly directly up nor can they walk up plastic! Thus, once the bees head toward the light they are trapped.
How do bees enter a carpenter trap?
Bees enter the trap thinking it's a good place to stay. Once they enter the trap, the only light source is through the plastic container at the bottom of the trap. Bees then enter the container. Bees are stuck in the container unable to get out. Once they enter the trap, the carpenter bee will soon realize it is not an ideal place ...
How effective is a carpenter bee trap?
The carpenter bee trap is effective by employing simple yet brilliant design principles. Carpenter bees have much different habits than those of the bumble bee or honey bee. Understanding these habits is what makes the trap unprecedented in carpenter bee removal. The base of the Best Bee Trap is made of wood, specifically soft composite plywood.
What is the best wood for a bee trap?
The base of the Best Bee Trap is made of wood, specifically soft composite plywood. When it comes to carpenter bees looking to build a home, the softer the wood the better. The holes drilled into the wooden base are set to a specific diameter and angled upwards. The diameter is the same as the diameter of the holes carpenter bees naturally make.
How many feet does a trap have?
Each trap will typically have a 15 foot working radius so make sure you get the proper amount to protect your structure. Hang multiple traps and treat any holes by clogging them with plugs, cork, putty or even a caulking compound. For additional placement tips, visit our trap placement page.
