How to Build a Carpenter Bee Trap

 Finished bee trap attached to a rafter.

Carpenter bees are a destructive nuisance, boring holes for nests in unpainted lumber including fascia boards, handrails, and decks. Here is an environmentally friendly way to trap them, using simple construction materials.

Steps

1. 1
   

    The lumber cut to length with assorted tools.
   Gather the supplies you will need for the project. You may find some scrap lumber around building sites, but if you don't, one 8 foot (2.4m) long 1X4 will be enough to build several of these simple traps. Collecting the plastic soft drink bottles beforehand should also be easy to do.
2. 2
   

    Some of tools used in this project.
   Get your tools out, and set up saw horses or a work table for cutting an assembling your bee traps.
3. 3
   

    Measuring the 1X4 pine board for a cut.
   Measure the following lengths of 1X4 pine lumber.
   • 2 pieces 7 inches (17.5cm) to the short side of a 15 degree angle.
   • 1 piece 7 inches (17.5cm) to the long side of a 15 degree bevel.
   • 1 piece 8 inches (20cm) to the short side of a 15 degree bevel.
   • 1 piece 5 inches (12.5cm) long, cut square on both ends.
   • 1 piece 6 1/2 inches (16.5cm) long from short side to long side on a 15 degree bevel.
4. 4
   

    The saw is set at a 15 degree bevel.
   Cut these pieces, using an angle square to mark a 15 degree angle on the first 2 pieces, and setting the saw at a 15 degree bevel for the second 2 pieces. The next piece will be cut with the saw set to 90 degrees (square), and the last piece will be cut on a 15 degree bevel the same direction on both ends.
5. 5
   

    Using a nail gun to fasten the sides.
   Nail the trap box together as shown in the photograph. A pneumatic finish nail gun makes this step easier, but small nails, or even wood screws may be used.
6. 6
   

    Drilling the 1/2 inch (1.27cm) hole sloped upward in the sides.
   Drill a 1/2 inch (1.27cm) hole near the top of each side angled toward the top of the trap so the resulting hole slopes slightly upward.
7. 7
   

    Drilling the 1 1/4 inch (3.1cm) hole in the bottom.
   Drill a 1 1/4 inch (3.1cm) hole in the center of the bottom board.
8. 8
   

    Funnel made from the top of a soft drink bottle, notched to create a fastening flange.
   Fashion a funnel by cutting the top off a soft drink or water bottle as shown in the photo. Notch it so the end can be bent outward to create a flange to attach it to the bottom of the trap.
9. 9
   

    A funnel made from a soft drink bottle top.
   Staple the funnel to the bottom of the trap, centering it over the 1 1/4 inch (3.1cm) hole you drilled earlier.
10. 10
    

     Cutting the bottom off of a 1 liter water bottle.
    Cut the bottom off of a one liter water or soft drink bottle, and notch it so it can be flared to create a flange similar to the one you made on the funnel section in an earlier step.
11. 11
    

     An inexpensive screw hook makes hanging the trap easy.
    Attach an eye screw or hook to the center of the top of the trap to suspend it. Then, install another eye hook to the eave or rafter of the building you are installing the trap on, and hang the trap.
12. 12
    Empty the lower, large bottle by removing the cap and dumping the bees.

Tips

• Scrap wood works just as well as finished grade lumber for this project.
• The measurements included in the article do not have to be followed precisely, however, the access holes should be as close to 1/2 inch (1.27cm) as possible.
• Adding an attractant or bait may make this trap more effective.

Warnings

• Except for when they are actually boring holes in our houses, carpenter bees are beneficial bees. They are part of the decomposer ecosystem and bore holes in dead branches on trees. They are also avid pollinators and in early spring, they are the only bees around to pollinate the early flowers. To avoid trapping and killing bees which are NOT boring holes in our buildings, locate the traps near where the bees are boring.
• Although carpenter bees are not aggressive by nature, they may sting painfully if threatened.
• Use common safety practices using power tools and power nailers.

Things You'll Need

• 1X4 pine lumber
• 12 oz. water or soft drink bottle (clear is best)
• 1 or 2 liter clear soft drink or water bottle
• Power tools and fasteners as described in text
• Staple gun