{
  "id": 12791181,
  "title": "Don't spray WD-40 into carpenter bee holes: this 3-ingredient DIY spray actually works instead",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/dont-spray-wd-40-into-carpenter-bee-holes-this-3-ingredient-diy-spray",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/home/dont-spray-wd-40-into-carpenter-bee-holes-this-3-ingredient-diy-spray-actually-works"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Don't spray WD-40 into carpenter bee holes: this 3-ingredient DIY spray actually works instead\n\nOnline advice telling people to spray WD-40 to deter carpenter bees is misleading and ineffective. While it may kill a bee briefly, it doesn't provide a long-term solution. Moreover, WD-40 can stain wood and harm beneficial pollinators like honeybees and bumblebees.\n\nCarpenter bees are solitary insects that bore perfectly round holes into exposed outdoor wood for nesting. Their tunneling can weaken structural timber over time, leaving unsightly yellow stains. A gentler, pet and child-friendly alternative is a peppermint-based spray, which carpenter bees strongly dislike due to their sensitive scent receptors.\n\nTo create the DIY spray, mix 500 ml of water with one tablespoon of liquid Castile soap and 5 to 10 drops of pure peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle. The soap helps the peppermint oil cling to the wood. Spray the solution on all exposed, unpainted wood, giving the bottle a quick shake during use to keep the mixture blended.\n\nWhile the peppermint spray is effective, it's not permanent. To further protect your home, seal old or active nest holes with steel wool or copper mesh, then cover them with exterior wood putty or caulk. Carpenter bees are attracted to bare, weathered softwoods, so applying a fresh coat of exterior paint or polyurethane varnish creates a barrier they rarely attempt to bore through.",
  "summary": "Looking for a natural carpenter bee repellent? Here's how to make a safe peppermint spray to keep them away for good.",
  "key_points": [
    "Spray WD-40 misleading and ineffective for carpenter bees",
    "Use peppermint-based spray as pet-safe alternative",
    "Seal holes with steel wool or copper mesh for long-term protection"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Using a peppermint-based spray instead of WD-40 offers a gentler, effective, and pet-friendly way to deter carpenter bees, shifting from a toxic to a non-toxic, environmentally considerate approach.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}