And to do so, he spends nearly all his time hovering around the entrance to the hole. The male’s sole purpose is to defend the nest and protect the female carpenter bee. Once the hole is created, the female then lays the larva for the next generation.

So what purpose does the male serve for the family? Well if you have ever been around an active carpenter bee home, you have more likely encountered the male than the female. That work includes not only laying the larva and raising the young, but also drilling out the holes to create the nest. Much as with honeybee hives, it is the female carpenter bees that do the majority of the work for the family. So perfect, that you would swear someone with a drill and a drill bit has been attacking your home! And if you look a little closer, you will most likely find a perfectly drilled hole near the sawdust. If you spot sawdust underneath or around a wood surface, it is most likely the work of a carpenter bee. Instead, they drill out their near perfect holes to create a place for the female bee to lay larva and raise a new generation of carpenter bees. Carpenter bees on the other hand shelter by themselves – and unfortunately, those shelters are created in wood! Spotting The DamageĬontrary to what many think, carpenter bees are not dining on the wood. Bumble bees live in nests and colonies in the ground.

It is the third difference between the two, however, that creates a major issue for homeowners. If not filled, the hole will continue to be expanded and used year after year. Carpenter bees drill holes into wood to create a home for their nest.

Wood burrowing bees