Here’s the buzz on getting rid of carpenter bees naturally
Citrus spray and almond oil are effective carpenter bee removal methods that naturally repel bees without harming them, protecting your home while keeping these important pollinators safe.
DIY materials for getting rid of carpenter bees cost around $7 for essential oils, making natural removal methods an affordable first step before considering other solutions.
You can seal existing carpenter bee holes with steel wool or wood putty once bees leave, then apply stain or varnish to prevent them from returning next season.
Hiring a local wasp and bee removal professional provides reliable support when natural methods fail, handling nest removal safely and preventing structural damage to your home.
If you notice signs of an infestation around your home, it’s suggested to learn how to get rid of carpenter bees naturally before relying on pesticides or insecticides. Carpenter bees are important pollinators, but an infestation can cause structural damage to your home.
Similar to termites, female carpenter bees build their nests by drilling holes into wooden structures including home exteriors, window sills, decks, playgrounds, and trees.
Protect your home, family, and ecosystem with the natural pest control methods below.
Difficulty: Simple (2/5)
DIY experience and special training aren’t required to apply these bee removal techniques to your home. However, the increased project difficulty surrounds the trial and error required to find the most effective method, along with the potential danger of being stung.
Total Project Time: 1 hour
It takes about an hour to make and spray essential oil deterrents. However, the total project time may increase if additional removal methods are required.
Cost: $7
Essential oil (the base ingredient in DIY repellent spray) costs about $7 per bottle. The total project cost increases if you need to buy additional materials or try other removal methods.
Spray bottle
Music speaker
Citrus essential oil
Almond oil or extract
Water
Wood plank
Steel wool or wood putty
Caulk
Stain or varnish
Use one or a combination of these five humane carpenter bee removal techniques to protect your home and get rid of them without killing them.
Citrus fruit (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, etc.) is a scent known to naturally deter carpenter bees. While you can buy a premade citrus spray online, many homeowners find it beneficial to make their own. By doing so, you can control the ingredients and amount of citrus used. Make a citrus spray with the following recipe:
Fill a spray bottle halfway with water
Add 10 drops of citrus essential oil
Secure the lid and shake the bottle well
Spray the mixture liberally around the nest. If the bees still come back, you may need to reapply the mixture with 5–10 additional drops of citrus oil.
Almond is another scent that is said to repel bees. Almond-scented spray can be made using the same method as the citrus spray above. Just swap citrus essential oil for almond oil or extract. Almond scent is lighter when compared to citrus, so you may need to add 5–10 additional almond oil drops right out of the gate.
It’s believed that carpenter bees become irritated by vibrations and loud noises. Try pointing a speaker toward the bee’s nest and playing loud music with heavy bass for six hours, continually checking the nest.
The goal of this method is to lure bees out of their current nest by using the methods listed above and coax them into a controlled nest. To do this, you’ll need a piece of unfinished wood that’s too good for a carpenter bee to ignore. Softwood such as pine, redwood, or cedar will work best.
Make sure the wood is thick enough to hold a carpenter bee nest. You can even use a drill and a hole saw bit to create a nickel-sized hole to encourage bees in.
Place the decoy plank near the original nest on a ladder to get it elevated and monitor it regularly. Once the bees nest in the new spot, carefully move the plank as far away from your home as possible.
Though this method won’t help protect your home in the short term, it’s the most effective option if the above methods fail. Carpenter bees don’t stay in one nest for long. Carefully monitor the nest daily by listening for buzzing noises. Gently tap around the area and look for bees emerging from the nest.
Once you believe the bees have fled, fill the hole with steel wool or wood putty. Seal the hole with caulk and paint over it with a stain or varnish. Spray the area liberally with a citrus or almond spray regularly throughout the following spring and summer for extra protection.
Prevention is key to carpenter bee control. If you’ve had problems around your home in the past, there are things you can do in the fall to prevent carpenter bees from coming back in the early spring.
Carpenter bees usually begin leaving their nests in the fall—the perfect time to seal existing carpenter bee holes so they don’t come back the following year. Use wood putty or steel wool to fill the empty nest. Seal it with caulk and paint stain or varnish over top.
Treat the exposed wood and crevices around your house with layers of paint, stain, or varnish to deter carpenter bees. Consider installing vinyl siding in the most vulnerable areas.
Removing carpenter bees from your home can be tricky. Here are a few answers to your most common carpenter bee questions.
A female carpenter bee can sting you, though usually only if provoked. Male carpenter bees, however, don’t have stingers. The queen bee drills extended tunnels inside the wood to lay eggs, so she is not often seen. It is more common to come into contact with a male bee protecting the hive.
If you’re allergic to bees, it’s best to contact a local pest control company to handle the situation for you.
Carpenter bees closely resemble bumblebees, but there are a few key differences to look for. While bumblebees have fuzzy yellow stripes along their entire body, carpenter bees are mainly black with a hard, shiny shell and a fuzzy yellow head.
Carpenter bees get their name from the way they build their nests. Unlike other bees that build a hive on the exterior of a structure, carpenter bees drill into exposed wood, similar to a carpenter using a drill.
You may have a carpenter bee problem if you notice the following:
Nickel-sized holes in wood structures from burying
Chewing noises coming from inside the wood
Sawdust found underneath the boreholes
While carpenter bees prefer to leave people alone, there’s always the risk of being stung by a female bee that might be wandering or provoked. Additionally, carpenter bees build their nests by digging holes into wood, potentially causing damage to your home.
Carpenter bees are important pollinators—they play a large role in our ecosystem and food chain. While effective, a carpenter bee trap will kill them, so it should only be considered as a last resort. This includes pesticides, insecticides, aerosols, bee sprays, and insecticide dust as well.
Displacing bees without harm and preventing their return is the most humane and ethical way to handle a bee issue on your property.
A reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf FloorsI had FabClean 614 clean my apartment, and she did an outstanding job. She was so professional and efficient. My apartment looks absolutely spotless every surface, every corner, all cleaned to perfection. Definitely highly recommend FabClean 614 if you're looking for top-notch cleaning...
Fab Clean 614Raven and crew does absolutely fantastic job. They are very professional if any concerns were to occur with any of her work she always took responsibility and finished out with a great job. I have worked with her business for a year and have always been satisfied. Very trusted business and...
Creations of Transformation LLCI would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLCBest cleaning I've had at my property
Ace Fireplace Services' chimney sweep service is truly exceptional. They used advanced technology to ensure a thorough cleaning process, and my chimney has never looked better. I highly recommend their services.
Ace Fireplace ServicesThis company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimneyGood workers and they do a good job.
Mira ConstructionMary Cleaning Service is amazing! The entire staff is very professional and they pay a great deal of attention to detail. I would definitely recommend!
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
How much does bee removal cost? Learn what you’ll pay based on factors like hive location, size of the infestation, extermination or removal, and more.
When it comes to carpenter bees versus bumblebees, only one can damage your wooden structures. Keep reading to find out the main differences.
Honey bees are crucial to the ecosystem, but it’s normal not to want them near your space. Learn how to get rid of honey bees without harming them.
Nobody wants to tangle with wasps on their property, as these insects sting with extreme prejudice. Here’s how to get rid of wasps safely and for good.
Bees are essential, but sometimes they can live too close for comfort. Learn how to get rid of bees' nests while trying not to harm these vital insects.
Honey bees, carpenter bees, and wasps can all do a number on your home if left unchecked. In this article, learn about the different types of bee damage to houses and signs to look for that might indicate you have a problem.
