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Carpenter bee against a white background - Keep carpenter bees away from your home with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Carpenter Bee

Actual Size: ½ to 1”

Characteristics: Large and mostly black, with a distinctive yellow coloring on their upper body. They are notable for their smooth, shiny, hairless abdomen.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Habitat: Carpenter bees are solitary creatures that do not form colonies like other bee species. Instead, female carpenter bees are known for their unique behavior of boring into softwood to create tunnels where they lay their eggs. These tunnels serve as a protective nursery for their young.

Habits:

  • Unlike hive-dwelling bees, carpenter bees do not live in nests or colonies.
  • They do not consume wood but cause damage by drilling into it to create nesting tunnels. This action is more commonly observed in weathered or decaying wood.
  • Male carpenter bees are incapable of stinging but display aggressive behavior when they perceive threats near their nesting sites.


Carpenter Bees in Central Arkansas

Carpenter bees are named for their wood-boring habits, constructing intricate chambers within wood to rear their offspring. Among the largest native bees in the United States, these bees are prevalent throughout the southern states, stretching from Arizona to Florida, and extending northward to New York. They primarily damage wooden structures by creating tunnels in dry, weathered lumber.

Carpenter Bee Habitat

Carpenter bees are not social insects. They prefer to create individual nests in wooden structures such as trees, eaves, or building sides. During winter, both males and females hibernate in old nest tunnels, emerging in spring to mate. Post-mating, the female selects an optimal wood site for nest-building, using her strong mandibles to carve out a nest. She then prepares the nest with “bee bread,” a nourishing mixture of pollen and regurgitated nectar, lays her eggs, and seals off the chamber with chewed wood pulp. Signs of infestation include visible sawdust and pollen beneath the chewed areas.

Carpenter Bee Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While female carpenter bees can sting when provoked and may pose a risk to those allergic to bee stings, they generally avoid confrontation. Male carpenter bees, despite their lack of a stinger, can behave defensively. Carpenter bees are beneficial as pollinators, yet they can cause significant structural damage over time. Affected areas typically include wooden siding, decks, railings, and outdoor furniture. Repeated nesting and tunneling can weaken wooden structures substantially.

If you suspect a carpenter bee infestation, it is recommended to contact a bee control professional.