Carpenter Bees get their name because of their annoying (to humans) habit of excavating living galleries in all kind of wood to create a nest.

Some people believe that the bees eat wood, but they actually do not. Like many other bees, they feed on pollen and nectar from plants, and are important to the pollination of those living things.

Although they do bore into wood, carpenter bees generally do not cause structural damage. They are more of a nuisance. However, if they are left to their natural development, carpenter bees can cause significant damage over several generations of bees, since each generation will enlarge the living quarters and make new galleries – we all want more than our parents had, apparently!

The large carpenter bee is native to the United States, where you will find two general species in the east, and a number of other species in the western part of the country. The carpenter bee is a wood boring bee that can be very destructive if not exterminated or controlled.

Identification

Carpenter bees are large, and very active. The "typical" species, (Xylocopa virginica) ranges in length from ¾ to 1 inch. It is a shiny black, with an almost metallic look to it. The thorax, or central part of the body, is yellow, orange or white. The carpenter bee does not have the stripes typical of the stereotyped view of a bee.

They do have some resemblance to the bumble bee, but they do not have any yellow hairs on their sleek, black abdomens, nor do they have the pollen baskets on the hind legs sported by bumble bees. Also, carpenter bees nest in wood, not in the ground.

Habits

The carpenter bee will nest in a wide range of different types of wood, including both hardwoods and softwoods. They particularly prefer weathered wood that is easier to drill. In the east, the bees generally flock to cedar, redwood, cypress, pine, fir and other softwoods that have a straight grain for easy tunneling. The western bees are often found in oak trees, redwood again or eucalyptus.

The carpenter bee may choose to tunnel in structural timbers on buildings, sheds, and garages or they may choose any other wood product like fence posts, utility poles, firewood, lawn furniture or arbors.

The carpenter bee will generally avoid well-painted wood or wood that is covered with bark. They will enter exposed wood anywhere they can find an opening, which may be hidden from view. They will enter wood through nail holes, saw cuts, or any unpainted areas on wood and begin their excavating.

Economic Impact

Although carpenter bees are good for pollinating plants, they can also be a nuisance to humans who live and work around them. They are noisy and will dive-bomb and fly erratically around humans who walk nearby. The male bees are extremely territorial, and may fly aggressively. They do not have stingers, however, so the male bees are completely harmless and the female bees are docile and only sting if they are handled.

However, the carpenter bee is a nuisance because of the wood sawdust shavings they leave on the ground under their excavations and the yellowish and brownish streaks of excrement and pollen that they expel under entry holes.