I’m used to seeing, and then running as fast as I can from bumblebees when I’m on a walk or visiting my parent’s backyard. However, I’m not as familiar with carpenter bees. These dark green bees usually create nests in dead plant stems, rotting wood, or other areas where they wouldn’t be considered a pest. This behavior is unlike larger carpenter bees, Xylocopa, who tend to burrow in homes.
Ethan Placke of Houston Arboretum tells us more:
“There are over 300 species of small carpenter bees, and they have various social characteristics. Some species are more social than others, but many of them are actually solitary. They can be a real treat to spot in a prairie as the sun reflects off their little jewel -like bodies. They are also very important for breaking down decaying wood in forest ecosystems and this natural tendency has indeed given them, and their Xylocopan cousins, a bad rap. However, the more habitat they have, the more likely they are to ignore any of our homes. Small carpenter bees already ignore our houses to a great degree and that gives them some extra points in my book."
