What Do Carpenter Bees Eat?

If there are bees buzzing near your house, you’re likely wondering what carpenter bees eat. Despite what some may think, these bees don't eat wood, but they bore into it to create tunnels for their nests. These bees are often misunderstood, but they are vital pollinators and an essential part of the ecosystem. Let's dive into the carpenter bees' preferred palate, how they can get into your house, and a few ways to remove these bees without harming them.

What Do Carpenter Bees Eat?

Carpenter bees feed on pollen and nectar from various plants and flowers. They prefer open flowers that are easy to access and that have an abundance of nectar. Some of their favorite flowers and plants are asters, daylilies, bee balm, zinnias, lavender, and even oregano.

These important bees are the largest native bees in the United States and are terrific pollinators for plants, flowers, and vegetables such as tomatoes and eggplants. So, they are great guests to have in your garden and flower beds.

How Do Carpenter Bees Cause Damage to Wood?

Unfortunately, sometimes carpenter bees try to make a home in wood structures such as siding, eaves, fascia boards, decks, and porches. They bore a hole about one to two inches deep into the wood, then turn and tunnel to create cells to lay eggs.

The University of Maryland Extension reports that tunnels are between 6 and 12 inches long but can reach 10 feet long in extreme cases. Needless to say, this isn't ideal for any home, and it's best to try to deter carpenter bees from becoming your new housemate.

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees Without Killing Them

Since carpenter bees are vital pollinators and their existence is essential to the ecosystem, it's best to try to find ways to deter or remove them without exterminating them. Here are a few methods that are known for preventing and ridding carpenter bees more naturally:

• Repel with an Essential Oil Spray: Certain scents are displeasing to these bees and can help evict them without hurting them. Mix an essential oil spray with scents such as peppermint, tea tree, or lemon and spray around the holes and area.

• Play Loud Music or Use Wind Chimes: It may sound silly, but carpenter bees find loud noises and vibrations irritating. You can carefully place a speaker near the nest and turn up the volume to try to coax them to move elsewhere. Another option is to hang wind chimes near the entrance of their nest.

• Seal the Holes Once They Leave: Carpenter bees tend to leave their nests during the fall, which can be a perfect time to repair and seal up holes they left behind. This method can prevent them from returning the following season.

• Paint or Seal the Wood: You can paint or seal the wood to deter carpenter bees from setting up shop. They like weathered, untreated softwoods, and painting or sealing areas that are usually inviting to them can prevent the bees from trying to bore into the wood and create nests.

Keep in mind that these bees are known to be docile, but the females can sting. So, if you are allergic to bees or are unsure whether it's safe, then you should contact a bee removal service near you to discuss options to remove them safely.

Types of Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are of the genus Xylocopa, but there are several types that buzz around the U.S.

• Eastern Carpenter Bee: This type of carpenter bees frequent the eastern part of the United States and parts of Canada. They are about the size of a bumble bee but carpenter bees have shiny black abdomens rather than fuzzy ones like a bumble bee does.

• California Carpenter Bee: Known as the western carpenter bee, this type lives in the western regions of the United States, such as California, Arizona, Oregon, and Utah. They look quite different from their eastern relatives and have shiny black bodies with blue-green reflections.

• Southern Carpenter Bee: These types of carpenter bees prefer warmer climates and are found in the gulf and coastal regions of the southeastern United States. These bees have a metallic black body with reflective green and blue tinges.