Hello, I plan on ordering the dustick deluxe. I have read the carpenter bee control article (and many of the posts). My question is: what is your recommendation on how to attack our problem? We have about 15 or so places we can see the bees entering under the siding in the peaks of the house (pollen on siding and visual). Can the dustick spray both liquid and powder? If so, is it better to start with the drione dust (even though we cannot see the exact hole? Then spray the cypermethrin? Also, what amount of chemicals would we need to order to treat the 15 areas we can see and any others we might find? Also, it is winter here, when should we spray since so high? (We may still need a ladder to reach affected areas, but the dustick should help tremendously.) Love your website and how-to videos. Thanks in advance for your help.
As you probably read in our article and a post or two, the dust applied up under the siding will definitely get any bee, wasp or other invasive insect that tries to crawl up and into this protected space. Though difficult to directly dust or spray, carpenter bee trails and nests will be affected by a good dusting. And this dusting can be done with a HAND DUSTER or our DUSTICK. The good news is the same space the bees are trying to exploit will also serve to protect the dust you apply. That means the DRIONE should last several months in these locations. Not quite as long as when you’re able to treat the nest directly and plug it up but certainly long enough to solve the problem. And in most all the cases I’ve treated this way, one good dusting is all that’s needed. Carpenter bees in the spring will be determined and once they locate a good space to nest, they won’t give it up. This will lead to their demise within a day or two of treating.
As for the Dustick being able to handle a liquid; this is not possible. It’s for dust only. But even so, you should plan on liquid treating with the CYPERMETHRIN after the dust has been applied. Remember, the most important part of the dust treatment will be the material that gets up under the siding and not what’s left out in the open. When spraying, yes some of the liquid will wash away dust left on the siding surface. However, this dust isn’t important anyway so there is no need to worry about loosing it. The key part of the treatment will be the dust that gets up under the siding and with the Dustick, you should be able to get what’s needed into this tight little space.
A good game plan for you would be the following:
1) Get the Dustick and at least one lb of Drione. Also get some Cypermethrin and a good Pump Sprayer.
2) Sometime early in the season either before or just as the bees become active, you should do a thorough dusting of the home. I know you said there are some “15” spots where they’re active but I suggest you treat more than just these areas. I have found walking the perimeter of my home and treating once in the spring and then again in the fall is a good way to keep all kinds of invasive insects at bay.
3) Let the dust settle for a day and then do a good spraying focusing in on key locations. Don’t be afraid to use at least 2-3 gallons of finished product. And remember, letting it run down the side of the house on the siding will only help to provide a larger area with a protective barrier in place.
4) As for the locations which are extra high around the peak of the house; these are key locations that must be dusted thoroughly. I have found everything from carpenter ants to carpenter bees to wasps and even termites love these areas so don’t avoid them. It sounds like this is a key location at your home so do whatever is needed to gain access. Sometimes working from the top of a truck or ladder will help. And most definitely practice on other parts of the home with your Dustick to get to know this tool before you attempt the “hard part” of dusting the highest possible location. I have found keeping the unit as straight “up” as possible helps as does letting it lean on the side of the home gently in between “pumping” as a good way to stabilize it. The thing to remember is to “not fight” it and keeping it straight up and down will help to keep it sturdy and use the force of gravity with you instead of against you. I also suggest getting our FACE SHIELD too so you’ll be able to work directly underneath the area without having to worry about any dust or other debris falling on you.
In summary, the time to treat will be soon. Carpenter bees will start being active here in the south come March. Across the country the season will range from March-May and really it depends mostly on local temps more than anything when they will start in your region. Since the dust will last long, I suggest getting some out at least 1 month ahead of time; 1-2 weeks would be plenty close to cut it if you are wanting to wait till the last second. The point is if you have something in place when they first start to forage, chances are high most will avoid your structure altogether and in the end, isn’t that really what you want?
Give us a call if you have further questions or need some help. Our toll free is 1-800-877-7290. Between our videos, technical articles and telephone support, I’m sure you’ll be able to get rid of these bees for good!
Centro 14 oz: www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/dusters/centrobulb-14-oz-w12-ext
Drione: https://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/dust/drione-dust
Dustick: https://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/dusters/dustick
Cypermethrin: www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin
Give us a call if you still have questions.
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