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Budget Termite & Pest Control
Biology and Behavior
Carpenter bees get their common name from their habit of boring
into wood to make galleries for the rearing of young. Carpenter bees
resemble bumble bees but do not have yellow markings. They don't have a
hive as honey bees, but are solitary bees. The female Carpenter bee
can get into small areas, boring holes. They are perfectly round, about
3/8 " in diameter.The female carpenter bee will bore a channel or main
corridor in the wood from 6 " to as long as 4 feet to lay their eggs in
"galleries". She will deposit an egg, bring in a mass of pollen for the
newly hatched larvae to feed on, and then seal it all off to ensure it's
development before she repeats the process for the next egg.Although,
they are a wood boring insect, they are not considered a true structural
pest. They do not spread through out the entire structure, but prefer
unpainted or finished wood.The male bee is unable to sting. It is the
male carpenter bee, which is most often noticed. A common
behavior of the males is to approach people if they move quickly or wave
a hand in the air. The female however, is capable of stinging but seldom
does. She must be extremely provoked before she will sting. For the most
part you will only get stung if you pick up a female Carpenter Bee.
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