Big Buzz

Howdy Folk:

With the help of my able wife I built a new work bench this week. The legs are 4X4 lumber and the sides and top are made from 2X8 lumber. While working with the new workbench today we heard an angry buzzing coming from the bench. After a quick inspection and closer listening we found that Bumble Bees had bored 3 holes in the new bench and had taken up residence. A spray with WD-40 had their wings lubricated enough that we did not hear any more buzzing. I hated to do that because Bumble Bees make good pollinators for the Square Foot Garden.

God Bless, Ward and Mary.

Were they carpenter bees? We have lots of them on our deck in the summer, they come back to the holes that were made by the previous bees and we protect their pupa from wasps

Ha-v-v

Ha-v-v wrote:Were they carpenter bees? We have lots of them on our deck in the summer, they come back to the holes that were made by the previous bees and we protect their pupa from wasps

Ha-v-v

Howdy Ha-v-v:

These appeared to be big Bumble Bees. In any case they had bored holes larger than 3/8".

God Bless, Ward.

If it was me, would have put putty in the holes when they were out foraging, forcing them to go find a new home.

Yes carpenter bees They look like a big bumble bee and make holes, I did a little bit of research when we moved here to see if they were harmful to the wood structures, meaning, would the building fall down, the answers I found then were they werent going to bring my deck down. I was amazed by them. We see the piles of "pine" shavings they leave when they bore a new hole, then we see the pollen on the outside of their holes when feeding the babies. I am in awe of anything that can cut through wood, we have seen wasps cut meat before too but that was too close for comfort

So do you have a project planned for the new work bench? I love new wood

Ha-v-v

We have nick named them "bully bees" because they are so pesky. They are less likely to sting than honey bees but come right up to your face and look you in the eye. I do find that unnerving. They also chase of any other flying creatures including each other. I am still dealing with my fear of stinging insects but now I just tense up rather than running and screaming. I need the big bees (bumbles, mason, and carpender) to pollanate my passion fruit so I keep that in mind.

Ha-v-v wrote:Yes carpenter bees They look like a big bumble bee and make holes, I did a little bit of research when we moved here to see if they were harmful to the wood structures, meaning, would the building fall down, the answers I found then were they werent going to bring my deck down. I was amazed by them. We see the piles of "pine" shavings they leave when they bore a new hole, then we see the pollen on the outside of their holes when feeding the babies. I am in awe of anything that can cut through wood, we have seen wasps cut meat before too but that was too close for comfort

So do you have a project planned for the new work bench? I love new wood

Ha-v-v

.

Howdy Folks: Upon reflection and reading about Carpenter Bees I have to conclude that the were not Bumble Bees but indeed Carpenter Bees. I will have to be more careful in the future as the garden can use more bees. The Carpenter Bees may drill holes in the workbench, but, then so do I.

The workbench was purpose built to work on chainsaws. It is not quite ready. I will be building drawers and a storage cabinet or two. I caught the bug of working on chainsaws when mine would run but not idle. After research and rebuilding the Carburetor I thought that I can do this. I have put out the call at work for any returned saws that are not economically repairable to be given to me instead of being put in the dumpster. Some only need a carb rebuild or other minor adjustment. Others are good for parts only.

And the bench will make a good potting bench as well.

God Bless, Ward and Mary.

WardinWake wrote:

Ha-v-v wrote:Yes carpenter bees They look like a big bumble bee and make holes, I did a little bit of research when we moved here to see if they were harmful to the wood structures, meaning, would the building fall down, the answers I found then were they werent going to bring my deck down. I was amazed by them. We see the piles of "pine" shavings they leave when they bore a new hole, then we see the pollen on the outside of their holes when feeding the babies. I am in awe of anything that can cut through wood, we have seen wasps cut meat before too but that was too close for comfort

So do you have a project planned for the new work bench? I love new wood

Ha-v-v

.

Howdy Folks: Upon reflection and reading about Carpenter Bees I have to conclude that the were not Bumble Bees but indeed Carpenter Bees. I will have to be more careful in the future as the garden can use more bees. The Carpenter Bees may drill holes in the workbench, but, then so do I.

The workbench was purpose built to work on chainsaws. It is not quite ready. I will be building drawers and a storage cabinet or two. I caught the bug of working on chainsaws when mine would run but not idle. After research and rebuilding the Carburetor I thought that I can do this. I have put out the call at work for any returned saws that are not economically repairable to be given to me instead of being put in the dumpster. Some only need a carb rebuild or other minor adjustment. Others are good for parts only.

And the bench will make a good potting bench as well.

God Bless, Ward and Mary.

Ward, an excellent side hobby/job choice! I know there will some money in that for you! Hurrah!