Carpenter Bee

Natural Habitat

Carpenter bees prefer to nest in softwoods or decaying wood, including dead trees, fallen logs, and structural timbers of buildings (e.g., eaves, fascia boards, decks, wooden siding). They are found in a variety of environments where suitable wood is present, including suburban and urban areas, agricultural settings, and forests.

Diet & Feeding

Adult carpenter bees feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. The larvae feed on a mixture of pollen and nectar collected by the female and stored in the nest cells.

Behavior Patterns

Carpenter bees are solitary bees, meaning they do not live in colonies like honey bees or bumble bees. Females bore tunnels into wood to create nests for their eggs, each larva developing in its own cell provisioned with pollen and nectar. They are active during warmer months, from spring to fall. Males are often seen hovering aggressively but cannot sting, while females can sting but rarely do unless provoked.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include structural damage to wooden homes and buildings due to their nesting habits. While they can sting, female carpenter bees are not aggressive and rarely sting unless directly handled or threatened. Benefits include their role as pollinators, though they can sometimes 'nectar rob' by cutting holes at the base of flowers to access nectar without pollinating. They are generally considered beneficial for pollination in natural ecosystems.

Identified on: 8/11/2025