Carpenter Bee Wacking

ralph7 · Jul 11, 2015

I have a stack of Pecan and Oak firewood for grilling on my patio. At my previous home, nothing molested my wood, save for the errant bug or borer worm.
Although I am only about 6 miles west of that place, my wood is constantly bothered by carpenter bees, leaving sawdust underneath the log they are working.
At first I tried wasp and hornet spray, trying another brand when the first did nothing, even when I gave the little buggers a face full at close range. Nothing.
So I decided to make a sport out of it, using an old college paddle that had the fraternity name burned in so the pop would show up as a signature on the unlucky recipient's butt.

These bees are curious in that if you miss, they almost always hang around flying in tight circles until you do hit them with a satisfying whack.
Tough they are though, as some of the ones that I've retrieved have come to and will eventually fly off, if not dispatched.
Fun game, I find myself hanging out by the sliding glass door ready to do battle with the tough little critters.

boykinlp · Jul 11, 2015

When reading this, 2 things come to mind. Using a badminton racket might be easier and faster to swing. Also, if a neighbor or passerby sees you, not knowing what you are doing, they may think you a bit touched!

A buddy of mine used to shoot them with the .22 shotshells.

Salty RI · Jul 11, 2015

Buy one of these lotsa fun.

Bug Zapper Racket: Mosquito Control | eBay

Rustyt1953 · Jul 11, 2015

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=20U3Y73aPtQ[/ame]

ralph7 · Jul 11, 2015

boykinlp said:
When reading this, 2 things come to mind. Using a badminton racket might be easier and faster to swing. Also, if a neighbor or passerby sees you, not knowing what you are doing, they may think you a bit touched! A buddy of mine used to shoot them with the .22 shotshells.

That's a great idea, I'm gonna get one.

Comrad · Jul 11, 2015

WD-40 is kryptonite to them, try it.

4011 · Jul 11, 2015

Try soapy water

LittleCooner · Jul 11, 2015

If you want them gone, dead and not returning, spray the only pesticide that will work on carpenter bees = pemethrin . I pick it up at the local farmers supply or a home depot or some garden place, comes in 10%, 32 or 38% and a small 1/2 pint can be found for around $ 10. it will kill all know insects and is the product used for the past many decades for termite treatment. Spray your wood pile, nothing in the insect line will be seen for 6-8 weeks. I have a friend who buys this stuff by the 5 gallon cases every year, keeps his entire yard sprayed, no tick, flees, ants, wasp, yellow jackets, spiders, etc are ever encounter around his house and shops. Best pesticides ever invented in my opinion. Its like the 44 caliber of the pesticide world. One well placed shot is all that is necessary.

ralph7 · Jul 11, 2015

LittleCooner said:
If you want them gone, dead and not returning, spray the only pesticide that will work on carpenter bees = pemethrin . I pick it up at the local farmers supply or a home depot or some garden place, comes in 10%, 32 or 38% and a small 1/2 pint can be found for around $ 10. it will kill all know insects and is the product used for the past many decades for termite treatment. Spray your wood pile, nothing in the insect line will be seen for 6-8 weeks. I have a friend who buys this stuff by the 5 gallon cases every year, keeps his entire yard sprayed, no tick, flees, ants, wasp, yellow jackets, spiders, etc are ever encounter around his house and shops. Best pesticides ever invented in my opinion. Its like the 44 caliber of the pesticide world. One well placed shot is all that is necessary.

I'm getting to like the sport of whacking them.

SAFireman · Jul 11, 2015

There are folks on this forum who load black pepper (coarse ground) in home-made shot shells that are supposed to be very effective and satisfying.

meaneyedcatz · Jul 11, 2015

boykinlp said:
When reading this, 2 things come to mind. Using a badminton racket might be easier and faster to swing. Also, if a neighbor or passerby sees you, not knowing what you are doing, they may think you a bit touched! A buddy of mine used to shoot them with the .22 shotshells.

I saw a professional exterminator use the badminton racket to whack these guys. They are too fast for a spray. He also used a powder to shoot into the bored holes.

ralph7 · Jul 11, 2015

meaneyedcatz said:
meaneyedcatz said:

I saw a professional exterminator use the badminton racket to whack these guys.
They are too fast for a spray. He also used a powder to shoot into the bored holes

Click to expand...

Yes, they are fast, but they seem to challenge you by hovering within whacking range.

snake803 · Jul 11, 2015

boykinlp said:
When reading this, 2 things come to mind. Using a badminton racket might be easier and faster to swing. Also, if a neighbor or passerby sees you, not knowing what you are doing, they may think you a bit touched! A buddy of mine used to shoot them with the .22 shotshells.

That was Chris aka N-Frame in Elgin ,SC
I have a neighbor that makes traps... If I can put one together I'll post some pix..
JIM...........

Nedroe · Jul 11, 2015

I use .......

a tennis racket. They like my log cabin. Bayer makes a pesticide that knocks 'em down pretty quick, keeps them from boring. I spray the cabin with it.
Nothin' better than givin' one a good backhand.

Ned

MasterTech1960 · Jul 11, 2015

LittleCooner said:
If you want them gone, dead and not returning, spray the only pesticide that will work on carpenter bees = pemethrin . I pick it up at the local farmers supply or a home depot or some garden place, comes in 10%, 32 or 38% and a small 1/2 pint can be found for around $ 10. it will kill all know insects and is the product used for the past many decades for termite treatment. Spray your wood pile, .

Don't know about spraying pesticides on wood that you will use to grill with later.

I have a cedar mail box post and those little buggers love it.

I now keep a tennis racket next to the door so when I retrieve my mail l also get a workout.

l am up to fourteen kills. May start putting little bee stickers with a black line through each on the side of the mail box.

don5 · Jul 11, 2015

Guys you need to check out the electronic fly swatter at Harbor Freight. They run a coupon on them sometimes so you can get them for free with any purchase. I got one for free and my son has had a field day with it. It is powered by 2 D cell batteries. Yes it works really well.

Mike SC Hunter · Jul 11, 2015

Check the old post.........Several bee shooters here....me included......I used a .38 snub loaded with #9's. ......Like a miniature dove shoot.

Cyrano · Jul 11, 2015

I like the shotshell alternative.

crsides · Jul 11, 2015

I'm in the city, so I use bad minton rack (easier on the elbow than a tennis rack). Don't always kill them, but some get cut into which is might satisfying.
In the past, I muzzle loaded my pellet gun with #9 shot over one of those clean wads they sell for pellet rifles. Works great. Yeah, mini dove hunt.

Charlie

Arik · Jul 11, 2015

Comrad said:
WD-40 is kryptonite to them, try it.

Carb cleaner. Any bug any place any time any where drops dead on the spot

Carpenter Bee Wacking

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