Skip to main content
Back to library

Carpenter Bee

Possible DIY
Carpenter Bee

Identification

Large, robust bees resembling bumblebees but with a shiny, hairless black abdomen. Females bore perfectly round 1/2-inch holes into untreated wood — eaves, decks, fences — to build nesting galleries.

Can I DIY this?

Possible DIY

DIY is doable — with the right approach.

Minor cases respond well to DIY treatment, but this pest can get away from you. Follow the guide closely, and if you're still seeing activity after a full treatment cycle, it's time to bring in a pro.

Download PDF guide

Recommended products

Control Solutions D-Fense Dust Insecticide, 1lbDust galleries (plug holes in fall)Stryker 54 Contact Insect Aerosol, 15 ozKnockdown for active galleries

Some links may be affiliate links. Buggsy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Always follow the product label.

  1. Locate the nest during the day, but plan to treat at dusk or after dark when the colony is least active and everyone's home.
  2. Have an exit route planned before you start, and keep your distance from the nest opening.
  3. For an exposed paper nest, apply an aerosol or mixed liquid insecticide directly into the entrance using a straw applicator, then back away immediately.
  4. For a ground-nesting colony (yellowjackets), treat the entrance in the evening with dust or liquid — don't cap or cover it until you've confirmed no more activity.
  5. If it's a honey bee colony, don't treat it — call a local beekeeper for a live removal since they're an important pollinator.
  6. Wait 24-48 hours, confirm there's no remaining activity, then remove the nest. Retreat after about two weeks if you still see activity.

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.. For hard-to-reach or large nests, consider a full bee suit or hiring it out.