How to Get Bees out of House Framing

Although bees are necessary pollinators, they can also become pests. They may set up a new nest within your house or outbuildings. They may also present a problem because of their stinging.

Honey Bees

Step 1 - If Possible, Remove before Colony Forms

Honey bees are most likely to sting once a colony is established and the bees feel in danger. If a colony forms in the roof, bees may consider bedrooms or bathrooms part of their territory and attack anything in those rooms. Due to this threat to humans and pets, it is necessary to move bee colonies out of the frames of houses.

Before the bees form a colony, you can destroy a swarm with soapy water in a pump sprayer. Another simple way to get rid of a swarm of honey bees is to "smoke" them out with a candle or a smoke can, but this method is best done by a professional.

Step 2 - Remove Bees from Walls

Once the colony is established, you will have to trap the bees. With the help of a beekeeper, take down an area of the wall and block off all other entrances. Put some screen wire on the hole. Leave only enough space for one bee to go through the wall at a time. Use a queen decoy bee and slowly trap as much of the colony as you can. This step may take more than a month to complete.

Step 3 - Remove the Colony

After removing as many bees as possible, spray the rest of the colony with pesticides. Destroy the colony by burning it, after you remove it from the wall.

Carpenter Bees

Step 1 - Examine for Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees can quickly damage your house framing. These bees do not make honey or live in beehives; instead they live in wood. The mark of the carpenter bee is the small pile of sawdust left near a largish hole.

Step 2 - Poison the Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees can make large holes in wood, and they do not mind which species of wood they bore through. (They do not eat the wood, so treatment or a change in wood type will not deter them.) Put a small amount of poison into the hole; then plug up the hole.

Step 3 - Avoid Hornets 

Be careful not to confuse white-faced male carpenter bee with the much more aggressive bald-faced female hornet, as the latter can sting severely and will often be followed by others.