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How Our Carpenter Bee Traps Work

Do carpenter bee traps really work? Yes, they do! Our Best Bee Traps offer a low maintenance, chemical-free solution to get rid of carpenter bees!

Carpenter Bee Traps: Do They Work?

What is a Carpenter Bee Trap?

The carpenter bee trap is effective by employing simple yet brilliant design principles. Carpenter bees have much different habits than those of the bumble bee or honey bee. Understanding these habits is what makes the trap unprecedented in carpenter bee removal.

The base of the Best Bee Trap is made of wood, specifically soft composite plywood. When it comes to carpenter bees looking to build a home, the softer the wood the better. The holes drilled into the wooden base are set to a specific diameter and angled upwards. The diameter is the same as the diameter of the holes carpenter bees naturally make. The angled property of the holes cuts off the light source for the bee when it enters into the wooden chamber of the trap.

The components of the trap are made of durable plastics specifically designed to withstand the weather elements and last you several seasons. The Best Bee Trap also has a refined finish making it superior in aesthetic appeal to other comparable models offered.

How do Bee Traps Work?

How the Best Carpenter Bee Trap Works:

  • Trap mimics a standard nest
  • Bees enter the trap thinking it's a good place to stay
  • Once they enter the trap, the only light source is through the plastic container at the bottom of the trap
  • Bees then enter the container
  • Bees are stuck in the container unable to get out.

Once they enter the trap, the carpenter bee will soon realize it is not an ideal place to lay their eggs and try to exit. Unfortunately for them, their instinctive exit strategy is to fly towards light. In our trap, the largest light source comes from the bottom clear funnel. The funnel accelerates the bee's movement downward into the receptacle below. Following the light in the trap tricks the bees to travel through a unique funnel system which reduces clogging and prevents carpenter bees from escaping. Carpenter bees cannot fly directly up nor can they walk up plastic! Thus, once the bees head toward the light they are trapped.

What Attracts Carpenter Bees to a Trap? / Do Carpenter Bee Traps Need Bait?

Carpenter Bee Traps do not require bait. As soon as there is one bee in the trap, expect to see many more! The dead bees release a pheromone that is highly attractive to other carpenter bees. The more dead bees, the more attractive the trap will get! This is the same science behind how a carpenter bee finds its way back to the nest each year.

However, if your trap isn’t seeing the results you are looking for or you haven’t had success getting the ball rolling, we highly recommend using our Bee-Licious Bee Bait. This bee pheromone based bait will help your trap get started and continue to help attract more carpenter bees to the trap.

How to Trap Wood Bees?

Not sure what type of bees are ruining your wood? The good news is that these wood bees/big black bees are also carpenter bees. Wood Bee is just another nickname for the carpenter bees that get their more common name from their nesting habits. Our carpenter bee trap will work for these as well.

Where Do I Put My Carpenter Bee Trap?

For the best results, hang or mount the traps on the corners and peaks of your structure. Carpenter bees love the warmth, it is perfect for mating, so be sure to hang the traps on the sunny side of your structure. Each trap will typically have a 15 foot working radius so make sure you get the proper amount to protect your structure. Hang multiple traps and treat any holes by clogging them with plugs, cork, putty or even a caulking compound.

For additional placement tips, visit our trap placement page.

Carpenter Bee Trap Plans / DIY Carpenter Bee Trap

If you are looking for a DIY version of these carpenter bee traps, head over to our How to Create a DIY Carpenter Bee Trap blog.

Our goal is to help you rid yourself from these wood bees causing issues on your property. If you love doing things yourself, you will love this DIY project. Or save time and energy and order yourself a professionally made carpenter bee trap with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. These high quality traps use perfectly molded plastic and aeration holes to keep moisture out which helps spread the pheromone smell of the bees.

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