How To Fix and Plug Carpenter Bee Holes In Your Home

Every spring, the bees attack our log home in the Catskill Mountain range of upstate New York. Every spring, i plug the new holes in an ongoing battle of man vs nature. How to plug Carpenter Bee Holes.
Supplies:
Bee Spray
Steel Wool
Aluminum Foil
3/8" Dowel cut to 1"(ish) length
Carpenter Glue
Good Rubber Gloves
Hammer
Bucket
Ladder

[@johnschneider9760]

I noticed that when you insert the tube in the holes and spray it, its coming out as liquid. You really need to shake the can firmly for about 30-45 seconds. When shaken fully, the product comes out as a rapidly expanding foam, not liquid at all. Spray it in the hole for a few seconds, then use a gloved finger to cover the hole for a few seconds more. That foam will really swell into many of the chambers. When you first start shaking the can, you can feel the liquid sloshing around in it. After about 30-45 seconds of shaking, the liquid feel is gone. That's when you know the foam is fully activated. This really makes a big difference!

[@RayCarney1]

Good advice.

[@dougnulton]

Thanks!

[@michael_dv9225]

Helpful video. Seeing these bees nest in my boat trailer bunks. Crazy how deep some of the holes go. I sprayed WD40 in the holes and that drove them out. Now, just have to fill the holes. Thanks for the video!

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

I use latex caulk and pump as much as I can into the hole. It fills the hole in all directions for quite a ways from the entrance.

[@dadsvintagegarage7542]

same here with caulk but also stick straw in first to vent caulk.

[@EddieJazzFan]

@@dadsvintagegarage7542 Why do you have to vent the caulk?

[@dadsvintagegarage7542]

@@EddieJazzFan when i stick straw in hole seems like I can get more caulk back in hole. When I dont vent, I pump it in and seeps right back out the hole.

[@TalkingGIJoe]

This does not work... Carpenter bees can chew through the caulk.

[@cslloyd1]

@@TalkingGIJoe Its been 3 years now and they haven't chewed through the caulk.

[@Dave-fr3zh]

I watched this video to learn a good way to patch the carpenter bee holes in my log home on a lake in Virginia, but I did not expect to be entertained as much as I was. You seem to be a naturally jovial and funny guy and your “technical jargon” made me laugh out loud several times. Thanks for the informative video, but maybe thank you just as much for making me laugh this morning. Cheers! By the way, local lore teaches that hanging paper bags from eaves that mimic hornet nests will prevent the carpenter bees from approaching that area since they are non-confrontational creatures. I have tried this, but I’m not overly convinced that it works. Nevertheless, I’ll try anything that might help, especially in the spring.

[@dianeterry4261]

My carpenter bees bore holes next to wasps. Lol

[@johndyson1904]

I used Flex Seal, its kills them instantly while filling the hole.

[@songsheep]

Can I know which flex seal product did you use to fill the hole? Thank you!

[@johndyson1904]

@@songsheep the spray can, just put the small straw on the nozzle and give each hole a good shot. Also hanging a Brown paper bag stuffed with anything also helps. You must put bag up early in the year, before wood bees arrive. Good luck...btw the bag should look like a Hornets nest the best you can do

[@songsheep]

@@johndyson1904 Thank you so much for getting back to me!

[@box3976]

i use the brown paper bag trick... hang it out of the rain...

[@brandirobinson4000]

We have a log home in Nashville, Tn and we have had such a huge problem with these pests. Thank you so much for the helpful video! It is so practical and easy to follow instructions. My husband is at the hardware store getting the supplies and I’ll let you know how it goes!

[@Anand-qb1wp]

Hi Brandi, I am in TN too. Was your problem resolved?

[@Lalaphive]

Hey I'm in Nashville and these things are chewing my deck to shreds. I bought a trap and some foam killer last night wish me luck.

[@scottielruss]

How did it work out for you

[@mandyriveraofficial]

Appreciated your video. Very entertaining as well. I normally prefer some “bee friendly” methods. But liked the knowledge or perspective gained. Your personality is great!

[@NewtonWashinton]

No foil, No steel wool, No dowels, No glue, No plunger, All you need is Brown Silicone caulk, fill the hole bees won't touch that hole again.

[@D.Jay.]

Also that may not be a repaired bore in the beginning of the video. Sometimes they will mudd up the holes after laying eggs and sometimes other insect like dirt dobbers will use old bores.

[@CAMPFIRESKY]

Exactly what I was going to tell him. They seal up the holes like that after the eggs are layed.

[@clwbob]

I'm new to carpenter bees and have been using Great Stuff expanding foam. But I like your idea of steel wool. Chew on that you little bastards.

[@robmullins7446]

Killing them in the hole doesn't or trapping bees doesn't solve anything - new bees just make new holes and keep laying their eggs and the offspring will return the following year to repeat the process. Keep in mind that the hole you see is the egress point for a series of chambers the bee created as part of her nursery tunnels. I've been fighting carpenter bees from late April to mid June for the 5 years and just come up with a solution two weeks ago. Fill the existing holes with a product that comes in a tube called Tangle Foot. This will cover their wings with a sticky substance as they exit after laying their eggs. Their offspring will also get a dose of the same sticky substance as they exit after exiting. BUT, to keep new bees from boring new holes spray the wood with 100% cheap white vinegar - insects have a very keen sense of smell and apparently bees don’t like the smell of vinegar. This year I sprayed white vinegar once a day for the past two weeks. a few bees will routinely return to my front porch near the wood and fly away. Another issue is that if the bee problem isn’t solved and if woodpeckers realize that there’s a feast of larvae in the holes they converge on the structure and do even more damage - this happened to one of my neighbors a few years back.

[@robertrager2691]

Never heard of tangle foot but I'm going to get some and give it a try. Thanks

[@robmullins7446]

Robert Rager Home Depot sells the same thing by a different name. At Home Depot the product is called Bird X Bird Repellent. Another thing that happens is wood peckers will converge on the structure when they realize the that there is a feast of larvae in there and tear it apart and do even more damage. This happened to my neighbor a few years ago. I hope this helps!

[@rider660r]

WD40 will kill the adults almost instantly. With the majority dying within their tunnel IDK if their dead WD40 will almost instantly kill them,IDK if their carcass has any effect on the young once they hatch but it sure kicks the adults ass.

[@michaelmerck7576]

I say you are wrong ,I have she'd I plugged 4 years ago and no new activity since,

[@neilsdeals8283]

Thanks for the info! Also, coincidently from the shot of the mountain in the end I know exactly where that is!! My uncle lives at the top of that hill!

[@edwinleach7401]

I spray WD-45 in the holes. In a few seconds the bee falls out and dies. Then plug hole with various methods.

[@NoPsychoBabble]

Yep, WD40 w/ the long straw. 👍

[@tomthumb6278]

What I use in my pole barn to plug holes is that winterizing spray foam, it fills the nest they don’t seem to return.

[@anhella]

This video was oddly soothing..

[@BecauseHeLovedMe1st]

Hi, just watched a video where a woman placed wood blocks with pre-drilled holds above the rafters of her patio. It seems the lazy bees use them and problem solved. I plan to do the same. Came here for hole repair. Thank you 😊 I think her page was Know how now , or something similar.

[@Lalaphive]

Beautiful home and view thanks for the info

[@thelog86]

Apply delta dust in holes and spray area demon wp with or temprid fx plug holes in fall the its key to treating at the correct time of year. Early spring before they become active and retreat in fall with same products and fall is also when u want to plug the holes. If u plug holes in spring your blocking their access to the poison and if u plug them in the fall your trapping them in the holes with the long lasting delta dust that you sprayed in the holes

[@shanewhittemore]

It's amazing how they form a perfect hole, I have a log home that was treated with i believe borat from the mill so I was surprised, to see those little bastards boring into my logs. You have a beautiful place in the Catskills!! I appreciate the info. Now let me get out there and get those little bastards.

[@xcmskim4]

can you just use spray foam instead?

[@thelog86]

Usually they bore on the underside or back off wood fixture making it very difficult to get insecticide into hole without using a mirror to see the hidden holes, especially on a wooden privacy fence, they bore into the 4x4 which you will not see the hole. You have to look for the sawdust and then you know there is a hole somewhere above that dust.

[@josephinenelan4204]

I recently found 4 saw dust piles under my deck railing, and got on the ground and looked up. a hole above each pile. Frustrating

[@dlkline27]

I've used a preventive measure with good effect. If possible, spray surfaces with Cyper TC. Any insect coming in contact with the sprayed area won't last very long and it's a definite deterrent to carpenter bees.The product is persistent and will last a couple months unless it's exposed to rain.

[@EddieJazzFan]

i love the Catskills. I used to go to Arkville to deer hunt with my dad back in the 70s. Also great trout fishing in lake Papackton.

[@markcontracting3303]

First time hearing of carpenter bees,good to know!

[@tcarson1441]

I didn’t fill the holes from last year and now a woodpecker found them. It’s destroying my home! I have a fake owl but it just moves to the side the owl isn’t at. Amazing how the woodpecker knows that there’s food in those circles.

[@janet982]

Beautiful place!! Thanks for the info. The flying devils are destroying my new $5K deck!!

[@PJ-il3nh]

Janet Havens make some traps.

[@ranger178]

i have heard mixing some of the bug killer with wood putty to fill the holes works if they come back to chew open same hole it kills them.

[@Brooklynraised68]

nice video beautiful views

[@pappydc12]

I'm watching this thinking, "ok...he's got a bucket full of stuff...spending 5 minutes per hole..." Geez - he'll be up there all day! I just spent an hour with a step ladder, tennis racket, and a can of WD-40. xxx number of holes and dead bee carcasses everywhere. I don't get it - bees have a 250 acre woodlot/forest 50 yards away but they prefer my treated lumber deck. And, I thought the treated lumber was poisonous?? Think I'll get one of those "salt guns" and just make it sporting...

[@lmiller2738]

They like shade, so all over my front porch.

[@JeebusCrys]

Add bee traps and you might be able to reduce your annual repairs.

[@gordonbell580]

the holes are bigger like 1/2 to 5/8 my trick is to use a stiff wire push it through and breach the chambers if possible and use delta dust for two reasons its moisture resistant and it last so long that it will kill young adults when they emerge and existing adults that enter

[@CAMPFIRESKY]

You can fill all of the holes every year, but you need to eliminate the problem. Get yourself some good CARPENTER BEE TRAPS and hang one on each corner of the house. There are some OK videos on how to make your own, but the best ones are the bottle in a bottle. Mine were made from gatoraid bottles, and after 1 season, I have no more bees. Also another secret is don't empty out the traps. These guys are very territorial, and will enter the trap to seek out their competition. I've used WD40 or CARBURETOR cleaner to kill them in the hole (after the sun goes down) - both kill on contact. Paintable caulk to fill the holes has worked for me. Just keep an eye out for new holes and get them right away.

[@carolebrelo7234]

Your method you stated here sounds very good. Glad I ran across it. I'll be trying it. Thanks.

[@Dracsmolar]

If you can, paint the underside of your deck or porch sky blue. wasp carpenter bees and the like take it for sky and go elsewhere.

[@D.Jay.]

This is way over thinking it and very ineffective. 1. Poison then plug holes with cheap liquid nails. Completely fills and restores lost strength 2. Make or buy wood block and bottle bee traps. You'll chase your tails trying to out poison them. Hang a few traps and you'll see how out numbered you really were.

[@jenlien]

Curious- do you have a trap you would recommend?

[@D.Jay.]

@@jenlien yes this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZKcXqWwjMSgia8

[@jbhook1339]

Why fill the hole completely with steel wool. If they. Try to re open the hole the steel wool will stop them they hit it.

[@sirdoesexist]

Thank you

[@TomCook-jw6ur]

Had my log home on NC mountain top painted. Bees came and left. Catskills can’t begin to compare with western Carolina.

[@unclesteve8912]

When I did it, they ate through the tin foil.

[@jbeerailroader6100]

I used wd 40 and soaked each bore hole several times..Aint seen a bee in weeks🐝🐝🐝🐝🔫

[@highspeed1865]

I use wd-40 also, it works! Also I have used # 2 pencils, You put them in their drill holes and snap them off then I seal it with flex seal. They will try and eat thru the pencil but eat the poisonous lead and die.

[@meganjane7579]

​@@highspeed1865 pencils dont use lead anymore....

[@diggdiggy]

Just wondering what would stop them from drilling a hole right next to the one you plugged?

[@CarAudioInc]

nothing

[@qbf4128]

Traps

[@joycehwys]

I read abt using WD40 which worked great.

[@sirdoesexist]

Can he make it?

[@sirdoesexist]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

[@brucehampton1545]

Lazy soft voice okay now I can hear you. You must have done something to increase volume. Thank you. Steel wool good idea then just use colored caulking. Thats it. No need for any dowel pins.

[@moe2222]

Pl glue that all you need to fill up the holes

[@im1who84u]

3:39 You mean the "owl".

[@sirdoesexist]

He’s on his road to 100 subs

[@RobShutt357]

I spray on a deterrent that keeps them away

[@atouchoffunfashion1614]

What type of deterrent?

[@edwinleach7401]

Oops. WD-40 not 45.

[@sirdoesexist]

With only 1 vid?

[@peraruor]

Almost can't hear your voice

[@laurienavarrete2914]

peraruor p

[@laurienavarrete2914]

N

[@donf3739]

That hole at 6:23 might be "abandoned", but it's probably full of eggs! I'm sure the female seals the hole off AFTER she's done her business in there. Bust that one open and treat it too.

[@collindouma1078]

Good tip. thank you!

[@donf3739]

I meant to say, "I would bust that one open...", instead of giving orders. :)

[@gregrandol2801]

It's good to see Woodglut have new instructions to save my money and energy to build it.

[@BecauseHeLovedMe1st]

*holes

[@sirdoesexist]

Also like

[@sirdoesexist]

And subscribe

[@sirdoesexist]

THIS IS THE WAY HES SAYING HE DID IT

[@sirdoesexist]

My twitch name?

[@sirdoesexist]

My channel name?

[@sirdoesexist]

Let’s see

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

Woodglut plans are amazing!

[@sirdoesexist]

Jeff

[@podcastbunker]

They just make new holes. It’s wack a mole.

[@atouchoffunfashion1614]

🤣🤣🤣

[@sirdoesexist]

Also jeff

[@sirdoesexist]

To this vid

[@sirdoesexist]

Me names Jeff

[@sirdoesexist]

Me names jeff

[@sirdoesexist]

Ok

[@sirdoesexist]

I DONT CARE IF THERES A BETTER WAY TO DO IT

[@GeorgeMinton-jb8ky]

little b---tards.

[@ExoticNarcotics]

Steel whool in your wood huh? *imagine catching fire..*