Hey everyone, I’ve noticed a lot of carpenter bees around my workshop. Would a bug zapper help keep them away?
I don’t think bug zappers are effective against carpenter bees. They’re attracted to wood, not light. Better to fix any exposed wood around your place.
BeeFriendlyCarol’s right. Carpenter bees aren’t like other flying insects that get zapped. They’re more interested in boring into wood to lay eggs.
Actually, I read a study where some carpenter bees were attracted to the light, but it’s not a guaranteed solution. It’ll zap some, but you’ll still need to physically block their holes.
I don’t think bug zappers are really doing much. Carpenter bees are drawn to wood, not light, so fixing exposed timber is more effective.
Yep, these bees aren’t typical flying pests. They’re targeting your siding or deck, not the zapper.
I did read about one study suggesting some carpenter bees might be momentarily drawn to light, but that’s rare. Zappers might zap a stray bee, but they won’t solve your wood problem.
Exactly. It’s a fluke if one gets zapped. Most of them buzz off because they’re chasing nectar or drilling into your porch.
I actually use a racket-style zapper to smack any loose flying males, works in a pinch, but the females in the wood holes stay untouched.
@NaturalHarvester The racket trick works if you get one in flight, but honestly, building or buying carpenter bee traps and sealing holes works way better.
Paint or stain your wood and plug holes. Zappers just aren’t specialized enough for carpenter bees.
Let’s not forget: zappers can kill beneficial pollinators by accident, so using them around bees isn’t eco-friendly.
If you’re really in a bind, combine traps with diatomaceous earth or a citrus spray. Those target bees in their nests—not just the ones that happen to fly close to a zapper.
Bottom line: bug zappers aren’t attractive to carpenter bees and won’t make a difference in controlling them. Focus on sealing and treating the wood, your home (and the bees) will be better off.