Often mistaken for bumblebees, carpenter bees are large, black and yellow solitary bees that make their nests in trees or structural buildings. They are considered nuisance pests and while one or two bees will not cause significant damage, the next year’s brood will continue to expand tunnels and can cause damage over time. However, it’s worthwhile to note that carpenter bees also serve a positive function. These bees were found pollinating flowering ornamentals on April 18, 2018.
Carpenter Bee T. Billeisen
You can distinguish carpenter bees from other bee species by looking at the dorsal (top) side of the abdomen. While bumblebees have abdomens covered in yellow and black hairs, carpenter bees have a shiny, black abdomen.