What Areas Have the Most Carpenter Bees

Carpenter Bees, typically found throughout the U.S., Hawaii, and Canada, are easily distinguishable insects. Male carpenter bees are orange and black, while the females are solid black and have sparkly abdomens. 

Their unique physical appearance is indisputable, but many want to know in what areas these purple xylocopa or black bumblebees like to stay. If you're one of them, seeking ways to prevent them from compromising your home's structural integrity, you've come to the right place. 

What attracts carpenter bees, and where can you spot these insects? Let's find out.

Wooden Structures

Carpenter bees tend to start a nest in raw, untreated, and unpainted softwood. This includes redwood, cedar, cypress, and pine. Although weathered wood is their first choice, seeing them on softened and damaged hardwood is not a rarity. Popular urban areas they’re fond of include decks, roof eaves, wooden fences, wooden furniture, and sidings.

Speaking of nature, these insects make themselves at home at dead tree branches, naturally occurring cracks in wood, decaying tree trunks, tree stumps, and wooden ladders. 

Gardens, Yards, Farms, and Open Landscapes

These native bees are powerful pollinators for almost each open and flat-faced flower found in gardens, yards, and farms. Among blossoms that produce rich nectar are daylilies, zinnias, lavenders, salivias, and bee balms. Still, they're essential for pollinating blueberries, tomatoes, and eggplants, as these fruits end up significantly larger. 

It isn't surprising to notice them hovering around meadows, orchids, or any open woodland areas. This is especially true when the flowering phase begins in the spring or early summer. Additionally, if you store firewood or possess lumber, that also might be an attractive location for carpenter bees.

Existing Nest Cracks as Starter Holes

Carpenter bees are opportunists. They come back to old, already-constructed holes each year. You won't see them building new tunnels from scratch. That said, it's easy to deter them from nesting simply by filling pits or gaps regularly. Filling unoccupied areas with steel wool also helps. But if you want to relocate them, try to disrupt them by playing music or applying almond oil and water mixture in critical places.

As for their behavioral pattern, they are quite predictable. The male bee tends to work outside the nesting structure, while the female bee is spotted inside. Females tend to leave a unique odor in the hole to lure other bees to the area.

Solitary Fields

Over 90% of these striking insects aren't social and socialize occasionally or only when they mate. So, it's uncommon to find them in large groups. Still, a small group of carpenter bees (mothers and daughters only) can stay in the same area longer. Their aloof nature separates them from insects with internal social structures, living a colonial life like honey bees. As a natural consequence, they form individual nests in places that aren't filled with similar species.

Structures With Overhangs

Just like any other insects, these species need warmth and a stable shelter to function properly. Carpenter bees are cautious and like to safeguard against natural forces. Usually, they are drawn to spaces with overhangs, like garden sheds or the underside of the table.

Keep Bees Away From Your House

If you take our cues and closely follow our list, it will assist in your prep to avoid carpenter bees. But if you still identify a problem, you couldn't do better than letting Bee's N Things solve it.

If you get our handmade patented carpenter bee traps, pests don't stand a chance. Get in touch now, make a purchase, and watch how our product guards your precious property!