I do have painted equipment - but the carpenter bees are nesting in my painted carport ceiling - so that must not totally stop them.
I did see a cluster of bees about the size of a golf ball at the front of the invaded hive. I did not try to break it up, but I wonder if they were attacking an invader.
Any other thoughts on putting in an entrance reducer? I am concerned to do so because even with SBB, the top cover propped slightly open with a stick, and plenty of super room, the bees beard at both hives until very late into the night (last night still large beard at midnight when I went to bed).
It's hot in Atlanta and I am concerned that the entrance reducer will heat the hive too much for what seems to be only an occasional problem of unwanted visitors.
Linda T in Atlanta