Looking for the best carpenter bee traps?
Then you're in the right place!
In this Pest Strategies product review you can expect to learn:
- Our #1 overall best trap for carpenter bees (aka the wood boring bee)
- Why carpenter bees need their own traps
- How to use a carpenter bee trap around your yard
- Where to place your trap once you've gotten one
- And all of the products we reviewed for this guide
- Made From Durable Treated Cedar Wood
- Comes With Glass Mason Jar
- Mimics Nesting Location
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick | Our Top Pick | CBS Carpenter Bee Trap
|
| View on Amazon |
 | RESCUE! Carpenter Bee Trap
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Mac's Regular Carpenter Bee Trap (2 Set)
|
| View on Amazon | |
Best Attractant  | Best Attractant | Uncle Dunkels Carpenter Bee Trap Lure
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated as of January 21st, 2022
- Durable and reusable
- Comes with a sturdy chain
- Large jar hold hundreds of bees
Out of the carpenter bee traps we reviewed, we really liked the CBS Carpenter Bee Trap.
Why?
Because it is easy to use, holds tons of bees, and has extremely sturdy construction. On top of that they hold a patent for the unique design made to capture the bees.
The trap resembles a bird house and traps bees by making it difficult for them to escape. It can be hung anywhere outside and does not require bait.
Although no bait required, we do recommend it for the quickest results. Thankfully, they makes a decent lure like this one.
Please remember that no bee trap will be 100% effective but are still an important part of pest management. Also remember that the wood the trap is made of doesn't really matter so long as it attracts the bees inside.
If you're interested in learning more about carpenter bee traps, proper setup, or just want to read more about the other products we considered, see below!
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Top 3 Best Carpenter Bee Traps
Short on time? Take a look below for the top 3 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide
- CBS Best Carpenter Bee Trap (the best of the best)
- RESCUE! Carpenter Bee Trap
- Uncle Dunkels Carpenter Bee Trap Lure
Solve your pest problem right now
Connect with a local pro todayWhat Are Carpenter Bees?
If you're here, then that probably means you're familiar somewhat with carpenter bees, but just in case here's a quick overview:
Carpenter bees are a species of bees that are identified by their dark colors and robust size. Unlike many bees, they build their nests inside of wood structures (ergo the name carpenter bee).
While carpenter bees don't eat the wood like termites, they are more like carpenter ants that chew away the wood to form their nests - which still pose a potential threat.
Carpenter ants can be found all over in the southern half of the United States from Los Angeles, CA to Miami, FL, and on the east coast as far north as New York's boroughs like Queens, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
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What Are Carpenter Bee Traps?
These traps are specifically tailored to carpenter bees, who are less likely to investigate a traditional sugar trap you might use for other bugs (like for wasp traps).
Most traps look like birdhouses with a small opening at a slanted angle. They're designed to trick carpenter bees into thinking this is a suitable place to nest.
When the carpenter bee enters and looks around. When trying to leave, they notice a hole at the bottom and enter, only to be stuck in a glass or plastic bottle. This bottle can be filled with liquid bait so the bee drowns. Otherwise, the bee becomes dehydrated or dies from the heat.
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How Do Carpenter Bee Traps Work?
A carpenter bee trap works by plugging up their current nest with caulk or some kind of stopper.
This will trigger the bees to relocate and look for a new nearby nest. The next nest they find will be your trap fixing your carpenter bee problem.
There are baits and lures on the market designed to speed up the process of catching carpenter bees. For example filling the container hummingbird feed works well or using a chemical lure like this (our recommendation).
Most traps are reusable as well and can empty the deceased bees as needed.
What Are the Risks of Carpenter Bee Traps?
Stinging is the only real risk of using traps like these. If you're allergic or just want to avoid any and all contact from the bee a bee suit might be appropriate.
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Why Do Carpenter Bees Need Their Own Traps?
Carpenter bees are not as attracted to sugary waters and baits as other species. They don't eat wood but are constantly on the search for new homes, which makes the wooden structure of this type of trap ideal.
Simply put, you can't just stick a trap made for wasps up and hope it snags your bee problem too. Every insect has different habits and requires a slightly different approach.
What Bait Goes in a Carpenter Bee Trap?
Most carpenter bee traps do not need bait, but it is still an option and may make your trapping mission a bit more effective and/or speed up the results.
Like most bee traps, a sweet bait is ideal. This can be a basic mixture of sugar and water, soda, beer, jam, or even some plant oils like mint with water.
People who want something poisonous can mix laundry soap with water.
Some brands also offer dedicated lures that are meant to attract as many bees as possible.
Where to Place a Carpenter Bee Trap?
Ideally, you should apply a dusting with a product like Delta Dust, wait a couple of days to ensure the nest has been properly poisoned and spread, then plug up the old nest with either caulk or some kind of plugger (like this) and place traps directly above the defunct nest for maximum carpenter ant killing results.
Now this IS important to take note of, because getting your placement wrong will screw up any attempt at solving your problem.
Carpenter bee traps can also work well when placed near the corners of roofs or the peaks of various items around your yard in sunny warm areas. This means they can be placed near picnic tables, porches, benches, and even along the sides of houses with wooden siding.
Just do not place the traps in dark or cool areas or areas without proper over head protection from rain.
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Do Carpenter Bee Traps Work?
Carpenter bee traps are highly effective and can drastically reduce the number of bees in a given area. It's important to remember that nothing will be 100% effective though and that some bees might remain.
For example...
A trap should be used in conjunction with other methods (like dusting as described in the previous section) to ensure the best possible results.
Again, no infestations are alike and all require a slight adjustment to the approach.
Keep reading to check out which products we liked the most.
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Want to skip all this research and just hire a decent exterminator for your carpenter bee problem?
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Carpenter Bee Traps Reviewed
In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
- Durable
- Contains no toxic materials
- Easy to use
The CBS Best Carpenter Bee Trap mimics the natural habitat of carpenter bees and comes with a wire hanger so it can be placed anywhere in a yard.
The trap is made from durable materials to last through most tough weather conditions. It contains no toxic ingredients and was deemed honey bee safe, so it is unlikely to hurt beneficial insects.
The trap can be baited or left alone. It is easy to set up and requires little effort on the user's part.
I recommend this trap to people who want something simple to catch bees.
Pros
Cons
- Strong attractant
- Suitable for a wide range of bees
- Safe to use anywhere around the home
The RESCUE! Carpenter bee trap features a revolutionary design to eliminate carpenter bees. It also has the most attractive lure available.
It uses an intricate pattern to attract and trap the following stinging insects:
- Carpenter bees
- Wasps
- Mud daubers
- Hornets
- Yellowjackets
You can use this multi-purpose bee trap almost anywhere around your home, including:
- Porches
- Patios
- Trees
- Fences
- Trash areas
The secret is in its dual-action trapping system that lures bees in but doesn't let them out. The RESCUE! Carpenter Bee Trap is safe to use almost anywhere around the outside of your home, and it's made in the USA from the finest quality materials.
Pros
Cons
- Prevents damage to your home from carpenter bees
- Makes bee traps work better
- All-natural, no chemical additives
Prevent damage to your house with Uncle Dunkels Carpenter Bee Trap Lure. It uses all-natural ingredients to attract several types of stinging insects, including carpenter bees.
Increase the effectiveness of your bee traps with this unique formula. It's non-toxic and safe for the environment.
Uncle Dunkels Carpenter Bee Trap Lure uses only the best natural ingredients to attract carpenter bees. It's simple and easy to apply, comes with a money-back guarantee, and it's made in the USA.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: CBS Carpenter Bee Trap
Bees can be difficult to trap because they love flowers or, in the carpenter bee's case, old or rotting wood. This means a trap needs to compete with the wonderful environment of your yard.
While all of these products work, our personal favorite is the CBS Carpenter Bee Trap because it:
- Mimics the carpenter bee's natural habitat
- Is easy to hang and use
- Should last for multiple years
- Does not require a bait
Other Bee Product Reviews
Curious about other bee related articles? Check out our other detailed guides to help you deal with your pest problems.
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