| Scientific name | Xylocopa virginica |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 18–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) |
| Colors | Black and Yellow |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Indoors, anywhere and Garden or plants |
| Most active | Spring and Summer |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Nuisance |
How to identify it
The carpenter bee is a medium-sized member of the bees & wasps group. Two pairs of wings and, in females, a stinger at the tip of the abdomen. Check for these three features:
- Shiny, hairless black abdomen
- Fuzzy yellow thorax
- Round, half-inch holes in wood with sawdust below
About this bug
A large bee that bores perfectly round holes into bare wood on decks, eaves and fences. Males hover aggressively near nests but cannot sting.
You'll usually find carpenter bees indoors and in gardens and on plants. They are most active in spring and summer.
Is it dangerous?
Females can sting but rarely do; repeated nesting weakens wood and attracts woodpeckers.
Our rating: Nuisance, meaning it is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.
When you'll see carpenter bees
Carpenter Bees are most active in spring and summer. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: indoors, anywhere and garden or plants.
About bees & wasps
The carpenter bee is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
What to do about it
- Paint or stain exposed wood, since the bees prefer bare surfaces
- Treat active holes in the evening and plug them with wood filler a few days later
- Replace badly tunneled boards
Read the full guide: how to get rid of carpenter bees.
Bugs that look similar
Risk: the carpenter bee is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people, while the bumble bee can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects.
Frequently asked questions
What does a carpenter bee look like?
Shiny, hairless black abdomen. Adults measure 18–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in).
Does the carpenter bee bite or sting?
It does not bite. It can sting. Females can sting but rarely do; repeated nesting weakens wood and attracts woodpeckers.
Where do carpenter bees live?
Carpenter Bees live indoors and in gardens and on plants.
When are carpenter bees most active?
Mostly in spring and summer.