carpenter bees around bush

I’m not sure if I have a carpenter bee problem.  For the first time in the 5years I’ve lived at this home I can’t go to my backyard without being hassled by carpenter bees. They seem to be pollinating a bush that separates me and my neighbors townhome yards. The problem is that the bush is directly next to my sliding back door.  Two bees tend to linger along the length of the bush and keep away everything from dragonflies to birds! Others are hoping from flower to flower. We trimmed the bush Saturday afternoon and there was nothing there. I’m wondering if the sawed off wood attracted them to the bush (trimmings were all carried away the same day) or if it’s the small flower blossoms. I can’t seem to find a nest as I can’t even step outside without at least two or three heading straight to my face. Is this something I can fix or should I call an exterminator? I’m afraid of heading out there because I do have a severe bee allergy and since some bees seem to be feeding on the flowers, I’m afraid they may be females with stingers. I’d appreciate any help or advice you can offer. Thanks!!

After reading your message, I think its safe to say you have a carpenter bee problem. Now is it serious? No. And it’s something you can most definitely handle yourself so there is no need to call in an expensive service.
First, if you read our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article, you’ll learn the ones you’re seeing are males. Basically they just hang around plants waiting for a female to come by. They don’t have stingers so they can’t hurt you but they will definitely buzz close to you over and over; this is their nature and basically it’s all they do all day long. The good news is female bees have no interest in people and they don’t hang around buzzing anything other than their nests and flowers when searching for food.

Second, in our article you’ll learn about two types of sprays that are typically applied to wood where bees are drilling. By treating the wood, you can prevent new holes from being drilled because bees hate these sprays. These two products can also be sprayed on plants to repel bees from the area. The stronger of the two is the CYPERMETHRIN. Use it on the plant just once and these annoying males will be gone. If they choose to linger, they’ll probably die. Since most insects can sense the presense of the Cypermethrin, it tends to do a good job repelling annoying wasps and bees without killing them unless they insist on landing on treated surfaces.

Alternatively you can spray the NBS INSECT REPELLENT. This organic concentrate won’t kill anything but like the Cypermethrin, it will repel bees and wasps. You’ll need to use this more aggressively meaning you’ll have to treat every week or two compared to the Cypermethrin which will last a lot longer.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Carpenter Bee Control:  www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control

Cypermethrin:  www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin

NBS Repellent:  www.bugspraycart.com/exempt/additive/nbs-paint-additive-16-oz

Give us a call if you still have questions.

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