![]() ![]() These bees are yellow or black and range from ¼ inch to 1 inch in length, with 6 legs and antennae. Their abdomens don’t have yellow markings, as the bumble bees species does. Carpenter bees are oval shaped and appear smooth and shiny. While carpenter bees resemble bumble bees, they are not as round and fuzzy looking. Carpenter bee feces also stains wood, also with pollen. Over time, moisture will get into the wood, causing it to rot and decay. Adult carpenter bees overwinter individually in their nests and they will reuse the same nest in the spring and continue to bore into it to enlarge it as needed. They are not as destructive as termites, but they can be responsible for substantial damage after years of infesting the same pieces of wood. They are considered a nuisance for homes, cottages, and businesses because their nesting causes structural or cosmetic damage. They especially love cedar (commonly used in decorative beams outside homes and businesses) because it is easy to bore into. They are also known to build their nests on homes, businesses and other man-made structures that contain untreated wood, like frames, siding, eaves, fascia, decorative beams, decks, porches, railings, and even wooden lawn furniture. Their diet consists of nectar and plant pollen. While they do chew through the wood, they do not eat the wood. ![]() They nest most often outdoors in trees, tunnelling a circular hole 11 to 15mm into the wood that angles down slightly at the bottom, which is where female carpenter bees lay her eggs. Carpenter bees are not social and live in individual nests that they build in dry untreated wood, hence where they get their name. ![]()
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