Carpenter bees are a threat to wood, whether its a log or conventional home, a porch, wooden furniture, architectural details, etc. Two of Honest Abe’s owners, Shane Smith and Nick Patterson, got together with Crossville Honest Abe Model Home Sales Representative Dallas Powers recently to learn how simple yet effective carpenter bee catchers are constructed. Here are Dallas’s instructions for making a carpenter bee trap.
Step 1: Use 3/4″ thick (pine) need 2 pieces 5″ wide x 6″ long and 2 pieces 3 1/2″ wide by 6″ long and one piece 6″ square and one piece 3 1/2″ square. Step 2: Drill a 2″ hole thru the 3 1/2″ piece.
Step 3: Take a 2-liter water bottle and cut about 2 1/2″ off the nozzle end. Put the nozzle end thru the 2″ hole. Mark on top side with a marker. Cut 8 equally spaced slots from the end to the mark.
Step 4: Put the nozzle end back into 2″ hole and use a stapler to attach each tab by bending over the side.
Step 5: On the nozzle end of this piece attach a pint jar canning lid ring to the piece using screws or nails. Set aside until the body is built.
Step 6: Take the 5″ pieces and the 3 1/2″ pieces and nail together making a square box. Step 7: Drill a 1/2″ hole about 1″ from top on all 4 sides at an upward angle about 20 degrees. Step 8: Attach the bottom into the box (canning ring on the bottom). Step 9: Attach the top centered over the opening; install an eye screw in center. Step 10: Screw a pint jar onto ring.
Shane Smith, Dallas Powers and Nick Patterson have completed their carpenter bee traps, which are ready to hang in areas near any type of wood structure or furniture were carpenter bees are a threat.
