I have a serious problem with Carpenter Bees. When is the best time to apply the dust in the their holes? I have a number of holes to do this to and if it will stop them from boring holes out of my home in the spring, I want to do it now. Note there are areas I have already filled with a wood-accepting bondo product. Over these areas I have applied a three-coat oil-based paint over them. Let me know (1) when is the best time to apply the dust (noting its fall now in New England. (2) will they bore out of holes I have already plugged?
Take some time to read our online CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article to get more details but the bottom line is you generally do not want to seal up holes until they are dusted adequately with PYGANIC DUST. As we explain in the article, these holes are where eggs and food are stored. When you putty them up without treating first, the larvae will be able to complete their cycle and when mature, drill their way back out. This will get you back to square one. To stop this from happening, dust before sealing. This way they’ll be doomed when they hatch and try to forage out.
Come next spring, there is a good liklihood more carpenter bees will come around looking to drill new nest holes. This is due to the odor and scent of previous activity that’s been around the home since the first nests were drilled. And though the three coats of oil based paint should slow this process it’s usually not enough alone. There is simply too many gaps and seams so they’ll find entry points you can’t even see. By spraying over the top with the MAXXTHOR EC we have featured in our article, you’ll put in place a strong repellent they don’t like. This will keep them away and stop new nests from being drilled.
Pyganic Dust: bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Maxxthor: bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/liquid/maxxthor-ec
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