Carpenter Bees

Identifying Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees, also known as "wood bees" or "boring bees," are one of the first stinging insects to appear in the spring season. These bees get their name from their unique behavior of boring into wood to create tunnels, or galleries, where they lay their eggs. The entrance to these galleries is typically 3/8 of an inch in diameter, resembling a hole made by a carpenter's drill — perfectly round and smooth, similar to the size of a tube of Chapstick.

Appearance and Behavior

Carpenter bees are large, about 1 inch in length, and have a shiny, black abdomen with yellow and black markings. Their flight resembles that of a hummingbird or helicopter, and they are often seen "battling" one another in mid-air a few feet away from wooden surfaces such as soffits or fascia.

Active Season

Carpenter bees are most active in May and June. During this time, you may notice sawdust accumulating below their nesting sites as the queen chews through the wood to create tunnels, often loud enough to be heard. Another common sign of their activity is yellow to brown splattering near the tunnel entrance, which may resemble firework plumes.

Damages They Can Cause to Structures

Carpenter bees can cause significant damage to wooden structures. You may find jagged, elongated holes in the wood, created either by young bees chewing their way out or by woodpeckers digging for an easy meal. Interestingly, a major sign of a carpenter bee infestation is not seeing the bees themselves but the presence of woodpeckers, who often target infested wood to feed on the larvae inside.

Effective carpenter bee treatment is crucial to prevent further damage to your home and to keep your property safe from future infestations. Get in touch with Midwest Bee Removal to learn more.