Hi Andy,

Just to begin with, I want to confirm that you are in fact seeing carpenter bees. Can you describe the bees? And what county are you located in?

It is not easy to relocate carpenter bees. Prevention is always the most effective. Unlike the eastern US species, the species we have in Oregon nest in soft woods. You can discourage these bees by painting exposed wood surfaces with oil-based paint or polyurethane (stains won’t work). Commercial stains will not prevent damage. The nests are currently being built, so wait until late summer when the bees complete their development and emerge. Fill the now unoccupied holes with steel wool and caulk to prevent their reuse. Once filled, paint or varnish the repaired surfaces. Protect rough areas, such as the ends of timbers, with wire screening or metal flashing.

Hi Andy,

The timing for excluding the bees for non-destructive removal will be tricky. If you block the bees after nest building (which is happening now), the developing bees may tunnel out another way. Moreover, after they emerge, they may spend the winter back in the same hole, so the window for blocking the hole may be short.

For destructive management of the bees, take a look at the following recommendations from UC Davis. Whatever you do, make sure to protect the exposed wood after the bees are gone to prevent going through this again.

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7417.html

Also, can you let me know what County you are in? We typically don’t have these bees north of Lane Co.