Carpenter bees are fascinating members of the stinging insect family. They inhabit a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical to subtropical and temperate, so yes, they can be found in Virginia, too. Here’s what you should know about this type of bee.

1. Carpenter Bees Earned Their Name.

As the name suggests, wood is important to this type of bee because carpenter bees build their nests in wood. They prefer soft wood that is at least 2″ thick, so you can find them in trees, your home, your back deck, picnic tables, playgrounds, and other structures made of wood. They excavate tunnels, leaving wood shavings outside of their new home.

2. They Have a Unique Body Shape.

When you look around for a carpenter bee, don’t go looking for a bumble bee look-alike. The back end of carpenter bees is shiny black and more distinct than bumblebees. They also don’t have a lot of hair, so they don’t have the same fluffy look as their cousins. This bee grows to be about 1/2″ to 1″ long.

3. You’ll Know Who’s on Guard Duty.

The male members of the colony are in charge of guarding the nest. They stick around the opening of the nest to protect it from flying insects and predators.

4. You’ll Know Who Stung You.

Male carpenter bees cannot sting, so if you get stung, it was a female. But you don’t need to worry much about their threat because they only sting when provoked.

5. They’re Around Year-Round. 

Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. You’ll most likely see this type of bee during the early spring, when they mate, through the end of summer. While they suddenly disappear, they don’t die off. Instead, they are waiting out the cold the nests they worked so hard to make in the wood.

Get Rid of Bees with ExtermPRO.

Just because carpenter bees are fascinating doesn’t mean they need to be residents on your property. Call us today at 571-620-1168 to learn about our stinging insect services.