Bees are the most important pollinators in our ecosystem but have developed a reputation for being scary. Some bees don’t even have stingers, so they don’t bother people much. Bees are more interested in doing their job.
Carpenter bees are a problem because they can really “carve” into wood. They do this on decks, porches, sheds, handrails, fence posts, dead trees, tree limbs, woodpiles, and anything else made of wood. There are other animals that can get into your home after a carpenter bee makes a hole in the side. Like, woodpeckers love to eat bee larvae that are still growing, and they will tear into a carpenter bee’s nest, which hurts the wood even more.
Untreated holes and structural damage invite pests, mold, and staining on the wood. Carpenter bees are a serious threat to property and will damage it over time if you don’t get rid of them. This is especially true if they keep digging holes to nest in different places on the property.
People often mix up carpenter bees and bumblebees because they look alike in color and size (they can grow to be ½ to 1½ inches long). Unlike bumblebees, their belly is black and shiny. Male Carpenter Bees have a white or yellow blaze, while females have a dark face.
Carpenter bees are a common sight in spring and summer, hovering around outdoor wooden structures. With their large size and loud buzzing, they can seem intimidating. But are carpenter bees actually aggressive?
The answer depends on whether you’re dealing with a male or female carpenter bee Let’s take a closer look at their behavior
Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees in size and appearance. They have a shiny black abdomen and thorax, with some species featuring yellow or white markings. Their most distinguishing feature is a bare abdomen lacking the dense hair of bumblebees.
There are two types of carpenter bees – a larger female bee measuring 1 inch (25 mm) long, and a smaller male bee around 0.4-0.75 inches (10-19 mm). The female has a stinger, while the male does not.
Carpenter bees get their name from their nesting habits. They drill holes into wood to lay their eggs, damaging structures like homes, barns, and outdoor furniture. The holes they create are perfectly round and about 0.5 inches (13 mm) wide.
Male Carpenter Bees Don’t Sting
Male carpenter bees are very territorial. They will aggressively investigate any animal or human that approaches or disturbs their nesting area. However, male carpenter bees do not have a stinger and cannot sting.
When threatened, male carpenter bees exhibit bluffing behaviors like:
- Making loud buzzing noises
- Flying rapidly at predators
- Bumping into them
They are trying to scare away potential woodpeckers, squirrels, and other animals that may destroy their nests. Their bluffing is all show – male carpenter bees pose no real threat.
If you stand your ground, eventually the male bee will give up and leave you alone. Or you can walk away, and he will stop paying attention. Male carpenter bee aggression is mostly noise and little action.
Female Carpenter Bees Can Sting in Defense
Female carpenter bees are much less aggressive than males. They spend most of their time inside the nest tunnels, only emerging occasionally to forage for nectar and pollen. A female will mostly ignore nearby animals and humans unless she feels directly threatened.
However, female carpenter bees do have a stinger and can inflict painful stings. This typically only happens if you accidentally press on, grab, swat or otherwise provoke the female bee.
When a female carpenter bee stings, it injects venom through its stinger into your skin. This causes immediate burning pain and swelling at the sting site. Some people may experience more severe allergic reactions to the venom.
Luckily, carpenter bee stings are relatively rare. The females will not chase people or aggressively attack. With some caution around nesting sites, most encounters with carpenter bees end without incident.
Preventing Conflicts with Carpenter Bees
To avoid upsetting carpenter bees, stay back from known nesting areas on structures. When carpenter bee activity seems bothersome:
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Walk away slowly rather than swatting at the bees
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Avoid hitting or touching areas where you see bees hovering
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Cover skin and wear a hat for protection near nests
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Wait for the males to calm down – don’t provoke them
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Monitor children and pets so they don’t accidentally disturb bees
You can also make your property less attractive to carpenter bees by:
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Painting or staining exposed wood
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Filling small holes and cracks in structures
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Installing door sweeps or screens to block entry points
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Covering wood with vinyl, aluminum siding, or other materials
If carpenter bee damage becomes extensive, contact a professional pest control company. They can remove problem nests and apply targeted insecticides if necessary. This should only be done by licensed experts.
A Final Word on Carpenter Bee Temperament
Carpenter bees certainly make their presence known with persistent males and extensive tunneling. However, they do not pose a huge safety risk.
With some awareness and preventative measures, most people can co-exist relatively peacefully with carpenter bees. A bit of patience, distance and understanding of their behavior goes a long way in avoiding stings or property damage issues.
By taking time to appreciate the role carpenter bees play as pollinators, we can learn to tolerate them during their active seasons. A hands-off approach allows us to safely enjoy their aerial acrobatics from a distance!
What Do Carpenter Bees eat?
Carpenter bees don’t actually eat the wood; they just use it to lay their eggs and have babies. They feed on nectar, make a pollen concoction, and regurgitate nectar to feed their larvae. After gathering this pollen for their young, they cross-pollinate other plants, making them key pollinators.
Do Carpenter Bees Sting?
Yes and no. Male carpenter bees do not have a stinger. Female carpenter bees have a stinger but will only sting if agitated. Since Carpenter Bees’ stingers are not barbed, they can sting more than once.
How Much DAMAGE Can CARPENTER BEES Cause?! (What To Do About Carpenter Bees/How To Get Rid?)
FAQ
Can carpenter bees be friendly?
Should you get rid of carpenter bees?
Should I be worried about carpenter bees?
Can carpenter bees recognize you?
Do carpenter bees sting?
Males are the bees you see hovering around your porch because they are tasked with protecting the next from other flying insects. Female bees have stingers, but they are not aggressive. They only sting if provoked by touching or handling. If you try to shoo carpenter bees away, they may fly closer to you, but there is no need to feel threatened.
Are carpenter bees attracted to wood?
Female carpenter bees are attracted to raw, unfinished wood, or stained, weathered wood when searching for a nest site. Well maintained, painted wood is rarely attacked. Nail holes, splinters, and cracks in the face of the wood surface are inviting because they offer the bee a head start into the wood.
Are carpenter bees aggressive towards humans?
Carpenter bees generally are not aggressive towards humans. They will protect their nest when they feel it is being threatened, but for most people, carpenter bee stings are not overly dangerous.
Are carpenter bees dangerous?
If you have a garden, carpenter bees are especially good for pollinating eggplant and tomatoes, among other vegetables. Relatively harmless. Some insects can be aggressive, biting or stinging without being provoked. When it comes to carpenter bees, if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Cause structural damage.
Why do carpenter bees intimidate people?
( Photo Credit: J. Obermeyer ). Carpenter bees sometimes intimidate people because the males are territorial and will patrol an area where females bees may emerge in the spring time. Males buzz in front of people, giving the impression that they are guarding a nest and are ready to sting.
Are carpenter bees the same as bumblebees?
Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumblebees, which are similar in size. However, the bumble bee’s entire body is covered with hairs, and females have yellow patches of hair on the top of the abdomen. Bumblebees are social, living together in an underground nest. In April or May, the female carpenter bee searches for good nest sites.