Attack of the Giant Bees!! Save the Playscape!!

Tracy Becker writes:

"Is there some non-toxic (kids & dogs) way to keep the nasty carpenter bees off a wood play scape? Hubby just finished a gigantic play scape for the boy, and within one day (!!!) there was a carpenter bee making a home in it. Grrrrr...."

Don't you just hate it when you finish a big job, and all you want to do is sit back in a comfortable chair, drink a cold beer, and admire your handiwork, and then a big, black Carpenter Bee comes along and eats it.  I'll bet it really bugs you.............  Get it?..........."bugs" you.  Never mind.

Fortunately for me, we don't seem to have many problems with Carpenter Bees here in West Texas.  We've got lots of other nasty critters, like scorpions and vinagaroons.  But that's another story.  Carpenter Bees are large (larger than a bumble bee) bees with hairy a hairy head and thorax, and a shiny black abdomen.  They bore holes into soft wood where they lay eggs and raise young Carpenter Bees.  I've looked at several sites for information on controlling these beasts and a very helpful site can be found at UC Davis' website.  It describes several methods for controlling these bees, with emphasis on non-chemical solutions.

One method to prevent Carpenter Bees in the first place (a little too late for Tracy and her hubby) is to avoid soft woods like pine, spruce, or fir.  If you can afford the cost, use oak or maple instead.  If you have to use soft woods, fill all depressions or cracks with wood fillers or caulk.  These openings are invitations for Carpenter Bees to start digging.  If you already have a problem, try filling the holes with steel wool and then capping it with caulk.  There appears to be some disagreement as to whether to do this during the day while the bee is still in the hole, or to wait till early evening when the bee should be out.  The  UC Davis site suggests the latter.  Another non-chemical approach is to dust the holes with a desiccant powder containing boric acid or diatomaceous earth.  These powders are natural and work by abrading the hard surface of the bee's body, causing it to leak water and drying the bee to death.  Pretty cool.  Read all the information on the UC Davis site.  I think you'll find it helpful.

Comments

[AdirondackJen]

What can you tell me about slugs? They destroy my marigolds and I'm not certain, but think they're eating things in my garden. Perhaps Japanese beatles are chomping my basil plants. I know they're eating up my rose bushes. Any ideas on how to get rid of garden critters such as these two, without using chemicals that would get into the lettuce and basil and such? We live in the Adirondacks/Upstate NY. Thanks!

[Steve]

Slugs are a toughie. We don't have much of a problem with them here in West Texas, but from what I've read they can be a real problem.

The first thing to do to get rid of slugs is to eliminate their favorite hiding places. Look closely at your garden and surrounding areas for dark, wet places. They really like to hide under old boards, flat rocks, old pots, and dead leaf litter. So clean up these spots first.

Then look to other types of controls. A number of companies make slug traps that are baited with beer. I don't know what attracts slugs to beer. Maybe slugs aren't all bad afterall. I'm not sure how effective these are.

Another possiblility is diotomaceous earth. This powder is made of dead, hard-shelled algae. It is very abrasive and slugs do not like to crawl across it. Spread it around the edges of the garden to prevent new slugs from migrating to your garden.

Also, consider going slug hunting. Just after sunset is the best time. If you combine hunting with diotomaceous earth you might be able to get a pretty good handle on them.

http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_nat_slug_cntrl.htm. This site has a good discussion on natural slug control. Good luck.

[SarcastiCarrie]

I'll say that you can slug hunt all you want while drinking beer and you will not even make a dent in the problem. been there, done that.
Slugs like to hide in/under hostas where it is dark and damp. They hide under impatiens. My best advice is to keep the plants healthy so they can resist and come back from the damage, but i think marigolds are out for good.

[Valueemphasis]

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[bald eagle]

Good stuff, It might just work, although it seems easier when you have a plan.
I cant wait for your next posts.
Cu

[reparo de parabrisas]

Woods are always prone to bees or any kind insects. Some natural remedies might work.

[perform verlieben permanent]

Hello There
How can start this work please tell me
Anyway, what do you think about population?
Cu