Build a Carpenter Bee Trap
Carpenter bees are a destructive nuisance, boring holes for nests in unpainted lumber including fascia boards, handrails,and decks. Here is an environmentally friendly way to trap them, using simple construction materials.
Steps
- Gather the supplies you will need for the project. You may find some scrap lumber around building sites, but if you don't, one 8 foot (2.4m) long 1X4 will be enough to build several of these simple traps. Collecting the plastic soft drink bottles beforehand should also be easy to do.
- Get your tools out, and set up saw horses or a work table for cutting an assembling your bee traps.
- Measure the following lengths of 1X4 pine lumber.
- 2 pieces 7 inches (17.5cm) to the short side of a 15 degree angle.
- 1 piece 7 inches (17.5cm) to the long side of a 15 degree bevel.
- 1 piece 8 inches (20cm) to the short side of a 15 degree bevel.
- 1 piece 5 inches (12.5cm) long, cut square on both ends.
- 1 piece but first you need a 15 degree bevel across the short distance of the 1x4. From the short end of that bevel edge, measure 6 1/2 inches (16.5cm). Make a straight cut through this new measured end.
- Cut these pieces, using an angle square to mark a 15 degree angle on the first 2 pieces, and setting the saw at a 15 degree bevel for the second 2 pieces. The next piece will be cut with the saw set to 90 degrees (square), and the last piece will be cut on a 15 degree bevel the same direction on both ends.
- Nail the trap box together as shown in the photograph. A pneumatic finish nail or staple gun makes this step easier, but small nails, or even wood screws may be used.
- Drill a 1/2 inch (1.27cm) hole near the top of each side angled toward the top of the trap so the resulting hole slopes slightly upward.
- Drill a 1 1/4 inch (3.1cm) hole in the center of the bottom board.
- Fashion a funnel by cutting the top off a soft drink or water bottle as shown in the photo. Notch it so the end can be bent outward to create a flange to attach it to the bottom of the trap.
- Staple the funnel to the bottom of the trap, centering it over the 1 1/4 inch (3.1cm) hole you drilled earlier. Remove cap.
- Cut the bottom off of a one liter water or soft drink bottle, and notch it so it can be flared to create a flange similar to the one you made on the funnel section in an earlier step.
- Attach an eye screw or hook to the center of the top of the trap to suspend it. Then, install another eye hook to the eave or rafter of the building you are installing the trap on, and hang the trap.
- Empty the lower, large bottle by removing the cap and dumping the bees.
Tips
- Adding an attractant or bait may make this trap more effective.
- Scrap wood works just as well as finished grade lumber for this project.
- Add a couple drops of liquid dish soap to a quarter cup of water and pour it into the trap. The bees will drown quickly. Each time your empty the trap, replace the lightly soapy water.
- The measurements included in the article do not have to be followed precisely, however, the access holes should be close to 1/2 inch (1.27cm). Others have seen 7/16 holes made by their bees so you might want to check yours to emulate them.
- Another simpler option is to use one 12/20 oz bottle, cut in half, and just push the bottom half on to the stapled on end, after removing the cap. Friction should hold it without having to use another, larger bottle.
Warnings
- Although carpenter bees are not aggressive by nature, they may sting painfully if threatened.
- Male carpenter bees—the ones doing guard duty outside the nest—cannot sting; the females usually don't, unless you actually handle them.
- Avoid trapping and killing beneficial bees that are needed to pollinate flowering plants, vegetables, and fruit trees.
- Carpenter bees may chase off wasps looking to build a nest nearby.
- Use common safety practices using power tools and power nailers.
- Never hold in your hand something you're using the drill on. One slip of the drilling/cutting element can cause serious harm. Use a vise fixed to the working bench.
Things You'll Need
- 1X4 pine lumber
- 12 oz. water or soft drink bottle (clear is best)
- {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} clear soft drink or water bottle
- Power tools and fasteners as described in text
- Staple gun
