• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Shortcuts
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY Projects
    • Travel
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Build a Carpenter Bee Trap

    Published: May 29, 2020 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Carpenter bees can be a pest as they hover around you along with putting holes in your deck, patio furniture, house and more. Not to mention when they make the holes they lay eggs to produce more carpenter bees.

    How to Build a Carpenter Bee Trap

    Making your own carpenter bee trap can help capture the bees and put an end to them returning again. Use this step by step tutorial to make your own with just a few supplies.

    Supplies Needed

    4X4 post
    Circular or hand saw
    2 drywall screws 1.25
    Mason jar (regular mouth)
    Drill
    ¼″ nut driver
    ¾″ wood boring bit
    ½″ drill bit
    Hammer
    Screw driver or screw bit tip for drill
    Double point tack
    Welding Wire

    What is the best type of wood to use for a carpenter bee trap?

    Carpenter bees like cedar and pine wood the best. While they don’t actually eat the wood, they make holes to build nests to lay their eggs and this is the type of wood they seem to flock to the most.

    How to Build a Carpenter Bee Trap

    Cut your 4×4 post using a circular or hand saw making it at least 7 inches tall.

    Drill a hole with the 1 inch wood boring bit in the center of the wood block 3 inches deep.

    Next drill entry holes using ½″ drill bit on all 4 sides at a 45 degree angle one inch up from the bottom and one and three-quarter inches from each side till it meets the center hole.

    Unscrew the lid from a mason jar and lay it on the bottom of the piece of wood piece you just made. Find the center hole on the piece of wood by using your best judgement or marking it with a marker or pencil. Use a ½″ metal bit and drill a hole through the metal lid to the center hole of the post.

    Screw the lid onto the bottom of your trap using the 2 drywall screws. Use the hammer to put it a double point tack at the top of the piece of wood to be able to hang. Screw the mason jar onto the lid and use a welding wire to create a hanger to hang.

    Before you hang the carpenter bee trap be sure to go through the area where the carpenter bees have created holes and fill all of the holes with some sort of caulking or something similar to prevent them from going back to those and hang the trap where the carpenter bees are.

    Since you’ve filled the holes the carpenter bees will not return to the same place and will look for a new place to lay their eggs. Place the trap where the bees currently were and they will flock to the trap and not be able to get out.

    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    How to Build a Carpenter Bee Trap

    Author: EverydayShortcuts.com

    Materials

    • 4 X4 post
    • Circular or hand saw
    • 2 drywall screws 1.25
    • Mason jar regular mouth
    • Drill
    • ¼ " nut driver
    • ¾ " wood boring bit
    • ½ " drill bit
    • Hammer
    • Screw driver or screw bit tip for drill
    • Double point tack
    • Welding Wire

    Instructions

    • Cut your 4x4 post using a circular or hand saw making it at least 7 inches tall.
    • Drill a hole with the 1 inch wood boring bit in the center of the wood block 3 inches deep.
    • Next drill entry holes using ½" drill bit on all 4 sides at a 45 degree angle one inch up from the bottom and one and three-quarter inches from each side till it meets the center hole.
    • Unscrew the lid from a mason jar and lay it on the bottom of the piece of wood piece you just made. Find the center hole on the piece of wood by using your best judgement or marking it with a marker or pencil. Use a ½" metal bit and drill a hole through the metal lid to the center hole of the post.
    • Screw the lid onto the bottom of your trap using the 2 drywall screws. Use the hammer to put it a double point tack at the top of the piece of wood to be able to hang. Screw the mason jar onto the lid and use a welding wire to create a hanger to hang.
    • Before you hang the carpenter bee trap be sure to go through the area where the carpenter bees have created holes and fill all of the holes with some sort of caulking or something similar to prevent them from going back to those and hang the trap where the carpenter bees are.
    • Since you've filled the holes the carpenter bees will not return to the same place and will look for a new place to lay their eggs. Place the trap where the bees currently were and they will flock to the trap and not be able to get out.

    More DIY Projects

    • DIY Graduation Candy Buffet
    • How to Create a Stunning Neutral King of Christmas Tree
    • How to Make a Beef Jerky Bouquet
    • How to Make a Snack Stadium
    FacebookTweetPin

    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 8 Easy Chicken Freezer Meals in One Hour
    • Crock Pot Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs
    • My 3 Day Egg Fast Experience and Weight Loss
    • Copycat White Castle Sliders

    Holiday Recipes

    • American Flag Charcuterie Board
    • Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad
    • 4th of July Cheesecake
    • Bomb Pop Cookies

    Footer

    Everyday shortcuts as seen on logos

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • PR Friendly

    Alison McFadden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2025 Everyday Shortcuts. All Rights Reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.