What are Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees grow to approximately 1 inch in length and have metallic blue-black bodies with green or purple highlights. Unlike the social bumble bee, the carpenter bee is a solitary, generally non-stinging insect and builds its nests in wood rather than in the ground.BenefitIn general, the carpenter bee is considered a beneficial insect because of its practice of pollinating a wide range of crop and non-crop plants.DamageCarpenter bees are also viewed as pests because of their method of building nests. Female carpenter bees create nests by boring into wood and constructing “chambers” to house their eggs. Nests created in house lumber can lead to structural damage.SizeThe nests of carpenter bees resemble tunnels, with a variety of chambers that each contain one egg and a supply of food. Although the tunnels can start off being 6 to 10 inches deep, they may be expanded over time.PreferenceMost carpenter bees prefer softwoods rather than hardwoods. Woods of choice include cypress, ceda
