How can I stop bumblebees eating holes in wood?
by
H J T Kyhl
What treatment can I use to get rid of BIG bumblebees eating holes in the treated wood( 20 years old) on my railings and pergola? The deck itself is composition wood... no problem
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You can stop them by spraying pesticides that contain either cypermethrin or deltamethrin onto wood surfaces. When it comes to carpenter bees, these products act more as repellants thatn contact poisons. However, the effectivness of these applications is only about three to four weeks so the treatment will have to be repeated every so often. Pesticides should only be used during the periods of peak activity in the spring and perhaps again in late fall. Be sure to follow label directions and read and understand any precautions that must be taken when using these product.
These are carpenter bees, not bumblebees. Hillela's advice on pesticide use is spot on. You have to be diligent about fixing the holes and re painting the wood.