Stop Carpenter Bees Before They Drill—This Easy Trick Works

While honey bees may be beneficial to your yard, carpenter bees are another story. That’s because these bees have a habit of boring into wood to make their nests, which can cause major damage to homes, decks and fences if they’re not kept in check. These bees particularly like unpainted soft wood, causing structural damage not to mention unsightly holes. 

And once they bore those holes, they can allow moisture to get inside, which leads to rot. There’s also the issue of aesthetic damage in the form of ugly yellow and black stains. To top it off, the holes also attract woodpeckers, who will tear the wood apart to reach the larvae inside the holes. 

Related: Why You’re Suddenly Seeing More Spiders in Your House

How to Prevent Carpenter Bees

The fix for this issue is something that’s probably already in your kitchen–a paper bag. The trick with this hack is not with the paper bag but rather what it looks like. Paper bags closely resemble a wasp nest, or at least they look enough like a wasp’s nest to fool bees (at least for a time). Since wasps are natural predators to bees, the bag creates a false threat causing the bees to stay away. Hence preventing them from boring holes in and around your home. 

How to Make Wasps Nest Decoy Out of a Paper Bag

Brown paper grocery bags work best. 

• Fill the paper bag with some kind of filler to give it some shape and prevent it from crumpling. Bubble wrap, plastic bags, or newspaper works best. 
• Twist the top of the bag so that it’s closed then tie it off with a rubber grand or piece of string. 
• Hang the bag in a sheltered area so it won’t get wet from rainfall. Under a covered porch is an ideal spot. 

Female carpenter bees begin to nest in April and May, so hang your nest beforehand to discourage carpenter bees from nesting nearby. 

How Effective a Paper Bag is at Discouraging Wasps

Temper your expectations when using this trick. While the paper bag will deter carpenter bees, bees aren’t stupid. Eventually they will figure out that the nest is not a threat and ignore it. That said, it can be a very effective deterrent and costs little to no money. It’s also a n environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides. You can also combine the paper bag trick with other bee friendly repellents, such as essential oils like citronella, peppermint, and cinnamon. 

Resist the Urge To Take Lethal Action

Keep in mind that while carpenter bees can be destructive to your home, they’re an essential part of the environment. Like other types of bees, carpenter bees are responsible for pollinating flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This makes the paper bag method a much more environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides and traps.