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Carpenter bees grow to approximately 1 inch in length and have metallic blue-black bodies with green or purple highlights. Unlike the social bumble bee, the carpenter bee is a solitary, generally non-stinging insect and builds its nests in wood rather than in the ground.
Benefit
In general, the carpenter bee is considered a beneficial insect because of its practice of pollinating a wide range of crop and non-crop plants.
Damage
Carpenter bees are also viewed as pests because of their method of building nests. Female carpenter bees create nests by boring into wood and constructing "chambers" to house their eggs. Nests created in house lumber can lead to structural damage.
Size
The nests of carpenter bees resemble tunnels, with a variety of chambers that each contain one egg and a supply of food. Although the tunnels can start off being 6 to 10 inches deep, they may be expanded over time.
Preference
Most carpenter bees prefer softwoods rather than hardwoods. Woods of choice include cypress, cedar and pine.
Prevention
Many techniques for preventing and controlling carpenter bee infestation may be found online. Suggestions include painting wood surfaces, filling holes and cracks in untreated wood, and using hardwoods instead of softwoods when building in areas that are susceptible to carpenter bees.
Source:
University of Kentucky: Department of Entomology: Carpenter Bees
Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Carpenter Bees-Biology and Management
Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Department of Entomology: Carpenter Bees
More Information:
University of California: Integrated Pest Management Program: Carpenter Bees
Texas A & M University: Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Carpenter Bees
U.S. Forest Service: Celebrating Wildflowers: Carpenter Bees
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