Carpenter Bee

(Length: 3/4″ – 1″) These large dark bees that resemble bumble bees are often seen hovering around the eaves of a house, wooden fences or the underside of a deck in the late spring. They bore round holes into wood to nest. They will nest in a wide range of woods, but prefer weathered and unpainted wood. Typically they do not cause serious structural damage unless a large number of bees are involved over a long period of time. Male carpenter bees tend to be territorial and can become aggressive towards humans by hovering close by but this is merely a show as they have no stinger.