For your Home
Login or register for the customer portal
© 2025 Rentokil Initial plc and subject to the conditions in the legal statement.
Although carpenter bees are considered very important for the pollination of trees and flowers, they can be a real nuisance in and around your home. Carpenter bees are generally harmless to humans, but can cause damage to structural wood elements. Over time, their tunneling can weaken wood surfaces, and this damage can lead to costly repairs if not addressed.
Hiring a bee control professional to treat your home is the best way to get rid of carpenter bees, as DIY solutions are unlikely to work in the long term and may be dangerous. Schedule a free inspection online or give Ehrlich a call at 800-837-5520 to speak with one of our team members.
Our residential pest control services
Learn more about the residential pest control services we provide and the pests we can help with.
1. Survey
We will discuss your pest problem, arrange a survey if necessary, and provide a quote and recommendations.
- Appointment at a time convenient to you
- Solutions tailored to your pest problem
- Technicians who understand pest problems local to you
2. Treatment
Our highly trained technicians will come out to provide your treatment
- Treatments tailored to your schedule
- Environmentally sensitive approach
- Child & pet-friendly treatments
3. Aftercare
We'll make as many visits as you require to ensure your problem is resolved.
- Guaranteed solutions
- Prevention advice
Characteristics
Carpenter bees have several traits that make them different from other pests. Below you’ll find quick facts and more detailed information about their appearance, behaviors, and habits.
Carpenter bee quick facts
- Color: Most carpenter bees are black with yellow markings, though some can appear entirely black.
- Size: They range from 3/4 inch to one inch in length, making them one of the larger bee species.
- Stingers: Only female carpenter bees have stingers, but they rarely sting unless provoked.
Male vs. female carpenter bees
Male and female carpenter bees have different roles. Males are often seen hovering or buzzing near people to protect the nest, but they do not have stingers and cannot sting. Females do have stingers, but they rarely sting unless directly handled or threatened. You can learn more about carpenter bee stings if you're concerned about potential stings. This hovering behavior often leads people to wonder why carpenter bees stare at you or why carpenter bees hover, but it’s simply the males defending the nest area.
Seasonal activity and life cycle
Carpenter bees are most active in spring, which is when they start nesting. The female carpenter bees will dig tunnels in wood to lay eggs. These eggs grow into adult bees by late summer. After mating, the new bees feed and prepare to overwinter in old tunnels.
In warm areas, you may see carpenter bees in fall too, but they usually stay hidden through winter. Once temperatures rise again, they come back out, ready to start the cycle again.
Identification
Knowing where carpenter bees tend to nest and recognizing the early signs of their activity can help you spot a problem before it grows. Below, we cover how to identify their nests and activity around your home.
What carpenter bees look like
Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumblebees, but they have some clear differences. Their shiny, black abdomen is the easiest way to tell them apart, while bumblebees have hairy bodies all over. Most carpenter bees are black and yellow, though some may appear all black. Their wings can look dark or slightly purple in sunlight. If you see a big black bee hovering near wood, it’s likely a carpenter bee.
Signs of a carpenter bee infestation
A round entrance hole about the size of a pinky finger is one of the most obvious signs of a carpenter bee infestation. You may also see small piles of sawdust, called frass, under the holes or yellow staining from droppings. Spotting multiple bees hovering around wooden areas like your deck, eaves, or fence may also signal a growing infestation. Buzzing or tapping sounds inside wood can also indicate boring bees excavating tunnels.
Carpenter bee damage vs. termite damage
While both carpenter bees and termites can damage wood, termites eat the wood, whereas carpenter bees excavate it to create nests. The tunnels made by carpenter bees are neat, round, and follow the wood grain. Termite damage usually appears rough and hollowed out. If you spot smooth, round holes along with frass, you’re likely dealing with carpenter bee pest control needs rather than termites.
Sounds carpenter bees make in wood
As females tunnel into wood, you may hear soft buzzing or tapping, especially in quiet places like sheds or attics during spring. This sound comes from the females chewing through wood to excavate nesting chambers. If you hear this, it may be a sign of an active carpenter bee infestation and should be assessed by a pest control company.
Habitat
Carpenter bees prefer untreated or weathered wood. Common nesting sites include fascia boards, eaves, window trim, deck posts, rails, and wooden outdoor furniture. Over time, these bee nests can expand and cause structural damage to your property.
Carpenter bees in America
Carpenter bees are found throughout the United States, especially in warm, temperate regions. They're most active in spring and early summer as they burrow into wood to build nests. In some areas, woodpeckers may also damage structures while searching for carpenter bee larvae.
Carpenter bees' behaviors, threats, and dangers
Carpenter bees are solitary and non-aggressive. While males may act territorial by hovering near humans, they pose no real threat. The primary concern is the damage from repeated tunneling, which can weaken structures and attract other pests like ants or spiders. Left untreated, the damage from carpenter bees may result in expensive repairs.
Are carpenter bees hard to get rid of?
Carpenter bees can be challenging to get rid of because they tend to return to the same nesting sites year after year. Simply filling the holes often doesn’t solve the problem, as bees can burrow again or move to a nearby area.
You can take preventive measures to deter carpenter bee activity at your home by:
- Ongoing maintenance, including painting or varnishing exposed wood surfaces.
- Removing weathered or decayed wood exposed on the exterior of the building.
- Using pressure-treated wood in exterior areas of the structure consistently exposed to possible moisture.
- Capping exposed wood with vinyl or aluminum.
Some homeowners may try DIY solutions, but professional exterminators are usually necessary to help to solve the problem around your property.
Get rid of carpenter bees!
Ehrlich can do away with your carpenter bee problem. Contact us here.
How many carpenter bees do there need to be for it to be an infestation?
Even a single carpenter bee can cause damage to wood, but a full infestation usually involves multiple burrows spread across wooden structures. If you notice several bees hovering around your deck or fence or find multiple holes, it’s a clear sign that the carpenter bees have an established population. Without taking action to remove them, carpenter bees can cause damage to wood structures over time.
Need help with carpenter bees?
If you need help dealing with carpenter bees, get in touch with our bee control experts. Our experts can inspect your property, assess the damage, and implement treatment solutions to help remove the bees and prevent future infestations.
Frequently asked questions
Do carpenter bees sting?
Unlike some types of wasps and hornets, carpenter bees are solitary bees, so they do not live in colonies and will rarely sting humans. A sting would likely only result if a person were handling and/or harassing a female carpenter bee. If you believe you or a family member is allergic to bee stings, exercise extreme caution around carpenter bees.
Do carpenter bees eat wood?
Carpenter bees do not eat wood. They excavate the wood to create chambers from where they can rear their offspring.
How do carpenter bees create holes in wood?
Female carpenter bees will chew with their powerful mandibles (jaws) to excavate a circular hole in the wood, typically half an inch wide or the diameter of an adult pinky finger. After initially boring the hole, the carpenter bee hole will turn at a right angle with the grain of the wood. The galleries the bees create can grow to 10 ft in length when drilled by multiple bees.
What do you do if you see carpenter bees?
If you spot carpenter bees, inspect the area for any round holes or signs of damage in wooden structures. It is not recommended that you attempt to treat the area with insecticides. It is always best to contact a pest control professional to help remove the bees and protect your property from further damage.
Should I get rid of carpenter bees?
Yes, it's recommended to get rid of carpenter bees if they are nesting in your wooden structures. Their tunneling can cause significant damage over time, and addressing the issue early can prevent costly repairs.
Why do carpenter bees stare at you?
Male carpenter bees are territorial and may appear to "stare" or hover near you, but they do not have stingers and are harmless. Their behavior is typically a way of defending their territory, but they pose no real threat.
Should you swat carpenter bees?
You should never swat at a carpenter bee or any other bee. Instead of trying to swat them, slowly walk away from the area calmly and they will continue on about their business. If you suspect a carpenter bee infestation, get in touch with a pest control professional.
Are carpenter bees good to have around?
Carpenter bees are pollinators, so they help plants grow by spreading nectar and pollen. But when they dig into wooden structures, they can cause damage.
How long do carpenter bees stay around?
You’ll usually see carpenter bees from early spring through late summer. After mating and laying eggs, the bees stay near their nests. New adult bees appear in late summer and then overwinter until the next season.
What attracts carpenter bees?
Carpenter bees are drawn to untreated and unfinished wood, especially softwoods like pine or cedar. They prefer old, weathered wood for nesting. Wood with cracks or holes can also attract them, since it's easier to burrow into.
What is the best repellent for carpenter bees?
Some people try painting or sealing wood, since carpenter bees don’t like treated surfaces. Others use carpenter bee traps, which may catch a few bees. But these are likely to be short-term fixes. For long-term protection and removal, a professional carpenter bee treatment can help.
What is the difference between a bee and a carpenter bee?
There are many types of bees, but carpenter bees stand out for their wood-boring habits. While most bees live in hives, carpenter bees dig tunnels in wood. Most bees are covered in hair, but carpenter bees have shiny abdomens.
Other bees often work in groups, but carpenter bees are usually solitary. They're also larger and have a louder buzz. If you see a big black bee near your deck, it’s probably a carpenter bee.
About Ehrlich Pest Control
Ehrlich technicians are skilled, experienced professionals – they are required to participate in regular training programs, to maintain their expertise. They understand the habits of each species and use that knowledge when developing a control program for your home.
We are always available 24 hours a day for any emergency pest concerns that may develop, and all appointments are scheduled at times that are convenient for you.
If you would like further advice or to arrange a visit by an Ehrlich technician, contact us online or call us free at 800-837-5520.