Borer bees or Carpenter bees

by Beccie
(Jonesvile, NC)

Good morning Grandma,

I love that name and am glad to be able to call someone that again. I have just joined your site and have had it on my computer to look over and over again. Now I am a member of your family if you will allow me the pleasure.

I just moved to NC and bought a log home that is being invaded by borer bees. It takes away from the enjoyment of being able to sit on the deck. I will send you some pictures if you are interested. Anyway do you have any wise ideas of how to get rid of these creatures?

Thank you in advance.
Sincerely and with Christs love,
Beccie

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May 03, 2009
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by: Beccie

Thank you Grandma,
I knew you would have a remedy. I was wondering if you really would answer and read my questioin and make it personal. You have not let me down. It's nice to know that someone out there really is what they say they are. Just want to let you know that I for one appreciate this. Thank you for writing me with the answers. I love that it is green solution. I'll be back in touch with more questions as we come up with them. We are just getting into the middle of planting our garden and taking care of someone else's Granma, place with mature roses and several other plants. We did have to cut back our huge viburnum bush because of aphids, and we had to cut back our mature rose bushes because of rust.(This is where the bees hang out) Maybe you would give us suggestions of how to keep these pests away. Peace to you uand your family. May God bless you for your time and energy helping us beginners. Beccie & Elaine
May 02, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Critters like Bee's
by: Grandma

Hello Beccie,

Welcome to my cyber family. I'm so honored to have you join us.

I was surprised to get your question today for two reasons. First of all I'm planning on adding a section to Grandma's Wisdom for Pesky Critters. Second, Grandpa and I have just had to deal with the exact critter problem you are asking about.

I caught Grandpa last week whacking wood bees with a fly swater in our basement. He's building kitchen cabinets and was getting swarmed. I chased him outside and mixed my formula for him, (he's a stubborn old goat and hates to ask me anything, I might know the answer. HA!)

First of all, when you see this type of bee around your home that's a sure sign you're dealing with dampness, you have damp wood and most likly mold and rotted wood somewhere. These bees are going to eat your home if you don't take care of it!

I got a bottle of white vinegar and poured it into a spray bottle and had Grandpa spray anywhere he thought dampness was getting into the basement. This should be done several times, and the cheaper the white vinegar the better because the more acid that's in it. While he was spraying the vinegar I mixed some cheap cooking oil with several cloves of garlic and let it sit for the few days. Then I put it in the spray bottle and got him to spray it all over the basement. We haven't seen a bee since.
Now anytime someone comes to visit they instantly get hungry for a salad ha!, not kidding. But the oder does finally vanish, like the bees.

It's important to find out where the bees are coming from, and look for dampness and/or rotted wood. Please be careful, these bees like to bite! Grandpa got bit several times on the stomach when he was swating them.

Thank you for trusting in Grandma's Wisdom and I hope you'll visit often,

Grandma

PS You are more then welcome to send a picture for all of us to enjoy anytime. Enjoy your new home and sending my blessing.

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