Carpenter Bees: Identification Guide
Quick Facts About Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are large wood-boring insects that drill perfectly round holes into wooden structures to create nests. Unlike other bees that build hives, carpenter bees tunnel into wood, causing property damage to decks, eaves, and other wooden surfaces throughout Tennessee.- Size: 12.5 to 25 millimeters long
- Color: Black with yellow markings
- Shape: Large, thick bodies with shiny black abdomens
- Active Season: Spring through summer
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
- Reproduction Rate: Females create new nests each spring to lay eggs
What Do Carpenter Bees Look Like?
Carpenter bees closely resemble bumblebees, with their robust bodies and yellow and black coloration. However, the most distinctive difference is that carpenter bees have shiny, hairless black abdomens, while bumblebees have fuzzy abdomens covered in yellow hair. Carpenter bees also have yellow, hairy thoraxes and powerful mandibles they use to excavate tunnels in wood.
Key Identifying Features
- Shiny Abdomen: Unlike bumblebees, carpenter bees have glossy, hairless black abdomens
- Nesting Holes: Create perfectly round entrance holes approximately ¼ inch in diameter in wooden surfaces
- Hovering Behavior: Males often hover near nest entrances to guard territory
- Wood Shavings: Fine sawdust may be visible beneath active drilling sites
Related Species
Bumblebees are commonly confused with carpenter bees due to their similar size and coloration. However, bumblebees have entirely fuzzy bodies, nest in the ground or in abandoned rodent burrows, and don’t cause property damage by boring into wood. Bumblebees also tend to live in colonies, while carpenter bees are more solitary.
Health & Property Risks
Health Concerns
While carpenter bees are generally not aggressive, they can pose some health risks when threatened or cornered.
- Female Stings: Only females can sting, and typically only when directly handled or threatened
- Allergic Reactions: For those with bee allergies, stings can cause severe reactions requiring medical attention
- Stress and Anxiety: The presence and sound of carpenter bees can cause distress for homeowners
Property Damage
Carpenter bees can cause significant damage to wooden structures on your property over time.
- Structural Weakening: Extended tunneling can compromise the structural integrity of wooden elements
- Cosmetic Damage: Multiple entrance holes and staining from waste can diminish your property’s appearance
- Recurring Damage: New generations return to the same areas annually, expanding existing galleries and creating new ones
Where to Look for Carpenter Bees in Your Home
Carpenter bees typically target unpainted softwoods in exposed areas of your property. Look for perfectly round entrance holes (about ¼ inch in diameter) in decks, eaves, fascia boards, siding, outdoor furniture, and wooden trim. You may also notice sawdust-like material beneath active drilling sites and yellow staining below entrance holes from bee waste.When to Call Professional Help
Professional intervention is necessary when you notice multiple carpenter bee holes in your property’s wooden structures, especially if they reappear each spring. If you observe increasing numbers of holes or evidence that carpenter bees have returned to previous nesting sites, it’s time to call experts. DIY treatments often fail to address the complete tunnel systems and don’t provide the preventive treatments needed to break the annual infestation cycle.
