How to Get Rid of
Carpenter Bees
by Julie McMurchie
There are over 500 species of carpenter bees worldwide. In the United
States there are two common in the east, and three species common to
the west. Carpenter bees are larger than honey bees, and may be
yellow, yellow and black, or mostly black. Their appearance differs from
honey bees in that many have a shiny abdomen, whereas honey bees
are covered in hair.

Carpenter bees may be important pollinators for some flowers, but they
have also been known to rob nectar from flowers by cutting a slit in the
side of them. Beyond that, they love to bore holes into wood for their
nests. The entrance to their nest is a perfectly round hole. Wood fences,
eaves and siding are at risk of invasion by carpenter bees. They prefer
aged wood over new lumber. Rarely do they do enough damage to
require repairs, but it can happen if a colony becomes too large.
Photo via Stock.xchng