CARPENTER BEES Carpenter bees are benefical insects. They help pollinate plants. They are a large bee usually around 1 inch long with a colored metalic blue-black with green or purplish reflections. A lot of people think they are a black bumble bee. The males do not have a stinger and females rarely attack. Females that have overwintered emerge in the spring to establish new nests. However, they will use old tunnels too. Nests usually are 1/2 inch in diameter and between 6 to 10 inches deep and have several chambers. Within each chamber she will lay an egg and leave pollen for its development. Sometimes several bees will use the same entry hole connected to different chambers. Development from egg to adult takes around three months. There is only one generation per year and it is common for adults to overwinter in old tunnels. Carpenter bees bore into sound wood or sometimes into decaying wood to make their nests. Places like this fence railing. Nests weaken structural wood and leave unsightly holes. Carpenter bees are easily controlled by treating their nests with dessicant dusts or liquid pesticides. 888 292-7378 © 2005 Burge Pest Control. For noncommercial purposes only any website may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read LEGAL NOTICES. Webmaster www.designwestgraphics.com