🐝 Carpenter Bee Treatment
Carpenter Bee Treatment
What Was Applied Today & What to Expect
What We Applied Today
Boric Acid Dust — Gallery Treatment
A small amount of boric acid dust was injected into each active gallery entrance at dusk. As bees enter and exit, they carry the dust deeper into the tunnel and share it with other occupants. This is applied at night when all bees are inside their galleries.
Botanical Deterrent — Bare Wood Surfaces
A citrus or peppermint oil-based spray was applied to bare, unpainted wood surfaces around active boring sites. This makes the wood less attractive to new females scouting for nest locations.
Gallery Sealing (After 3–5 Days)
After allowing 3–5 days for the treatment to work, each entrance hole will be filled with steel wool and plugged with exterior wood filler. This prevents the galleries from being reused next spring and blocks woodpeckers from excavating the tunnels.
What to Expect
Reduced activity in 3–5 days
You should see noticeably less hovering activity and fewer bees around the treated areas within 3–5 days as the gallery treatment takes effect.
Galleries sealed and inactive
Once plugged, sealed galleries will not be reused. However, new boring attempts into adjacent unpainted wood can occur without the permanent fix: painting or staining all exposed bare wood.
Monitor for woodpecker activity
Woodpeckers may attempt to excavate sealed galleries looking for larvae. If you see new irregular holes in the wood (ragged-edged, not round), contact us — woodpecker damage can escalate quickly and may require additional exclusion measures.
Your Role in This Treatment
- Do not spray any insecticides near the treated holes during the 3–5 day waiting period — this can interfere with the boric acid treatment.
- Paint, stain, or seal all bare wood on your home's exterior — this is the permanent solution. Carpenter bees will not bore into painted surfaces.
- Consider carpenter bee trap installation near known boring sites as an additional deterrent.
- Check for woodpecker damage weekly during spring and summer, especially around sealed gallery areas.
✓ Safe for Family & Pets
Boric acid dust is applied only inside sealed wood galleries — completely inaccessible to children and pets. Botanical deterrent spray is non-toxic once dry (approximately 20–30 minutes).
📞 Call or Text Us If…
You see new perfectly round ½-inch holes in wood that weren't there before, woodpecker damage appears around treated areas, or bee activity resumes at plugged sites. We offer a follow-up inspection to assess and retreat if needed.