Ah, summer in Phoenix. Blazing hot temperatures and (mostly) dry air. With conditions like these, most organisms try to find ways to NOT act like busy bees. But carpenter bees are different. Instead of slowing down and hiding out for the summer, these guys are at their most active.

How can you spot a carpenter bee?

Have you ever thought you found a bumblebee, but couldn’t tell for sure? You may have actually been looking at a carpenter bee. They’re usually a pretty good size – an inch long and a half-inch wide, or more. Color-wise, the females are jet-black all over, and the males are about three-quarters jet-black with a fuzzy yellow “vest”.

Here’s a video of a carpenter bee I found on my back porch recently…

Do carpenter bees sting?

Half of them do! The female half, specifically. Males do not. Though the males are harmless, they will put on a phony threat display by flying around perceived threats – but it’s all just an act. Female bees, though capable of stinging, don’t usually sting unless it’s absolutely necessary. You essentially have to be trying to get stung by them. For the few that do get stung, the sting is mild and does not usually require medical assistance for the average person (unless the victim is allergic).

What if I find a carpenter bee hive?

Go down and buy a lottery ticket because you’ve just done the impossible! Carpenter bees don’t form colonies or build hives, so there is no such thing as a carpenter bee hive. They burrow in wood structures and lay eggs in them, living a mostly solitary life (except for during mating season).

Are carpenter bees harmful?

Only in relation to the way they nest, as described above. Like the unrelated termite, carpenter bees can be very destructive of wood structures. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs of infestation in any of your wood structures, including your house, fencing, etc., before they do too much damage. However, unlike termites, because they do not live and work in colonies, you are not likely to suffer the same degree of damage to wood structures with a few carpenter bees as you would with a colony of termites.

How do I prevent or get rid of carpenter bees?

To prevent them, the best approach is to keep the wood in and around your house in good order. Repairing weathered or damaged wood structures, as well as sealing and maintaining all wood, are good steps to help prevent the arrival of these harmless but troublesome guests.

If you already have one or a few taking up shop on your property, there’s a good chance they’re females, which means there is some risk of a sting. Give us a call and we can help you decide on the best removal approach for you!

In the meantime, check out these articles on carpenter bees by the USDA and the University of Arizona. You can also check out our previous articles on bees for further information.