Carpenter Bee
Category Bees, Wasps & Hornets
Actual Size: ½ inch to 1 inch
Characteristics: Shiny black abdomen instead of the fuzzy one seen in bumblebees. Their thorax is frequently covered in yellow, orange, or white hairs.
Legs: 6
Antennae: Yes
Habitat: They are commonly seen in backyards, parks, and wooded areas where they can tunnel into decks, fences, or tree trunks. They prefer dry, untreated wood, often found in forests, gardens, and wooden structures around homes.
Habits:
- They drill into wood to create nesting tunnels but do not eat the wood.
- Unlike honeybees, they do not live in colonies but may nest near each other.
Male carpenter bees cannot sting, while females can sting but rarely do.
Carpenter Bees in Florida
Carpenter bees earn their name from their habit of drilling into wood to create nesting chambers. As some of the largest native bees in the U.S., second only to bumblebee queens, they are widespread across the southern states, including Florida. Their presence is often marked by small, round entry holes and piles of sawdust beneath infested wood. While they don’t feed on wood, their burrowing can lead to structural damage, especially in dry, exposed lumber.
Carpenter Bee Habitat
Carpenter bees live independently, creating separate nests in trees, under eaves, or along wooden structures. Mated pairs overwinter in their tunnels and emerge in spring to reproduce. The female carves out a nesting tunnel and provisions it with pollen and nectar for her eggs, while the male hovers nearby to guard the area. Each egg is sealed within a chamber using chewed wood pulp. A carpenter bee problem is often identified by piles of sawdust and pollen beneath the affected wood.
Carpenter Bee Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Although female carpenter bees rarely show aggression, they can sting if provoked, posing a risk to those allergic to bee venom who should seek medical care if stung. Males, while harmless due to their lack of a stinger, can be highly defensive near their nests. Despite their role in pollination, carpenter bees can be destructive to wood structures like decks, railings, siding, fences, and furniture. While individual bees cause minimal harm, repeated tunneling over the years can result in serious damage. If carpenter bees are present, consulting a pest control expert is recommended.