It’s springtime and your first time spent outside is disrupted by a large bee diving at your head. How rude!

This can be scary, but if it’s a Carpenter Bee (think of a jumbo honey bee), you are most likely not going to be stung. In fact, the male Carpenter Bee has no stinger. Its main line of defense or offense is the head-butt, which it uses to keep other male carpenter bees and others away from its territory. 

You can also be less concerned with the female Carpenter Bee because they only defend themselves when they feel attacked. Bottom line as far as a personal concern – be more concerned about hornets, wasps, and honey bees regarding being stung .

However, as a wood-destroying insect, you should be concerned if you see carpenter bees regularly hovering around some regions of your home. Although Carpenter Bees cannot do the damage that subterranean termites or wood boring beetles can inflict on the structural integrity of your home – Carpenter Bees will damage wood by boring their perfectly round 1/2” holes and creating hidden galleries to build their nests. 

If not resolved, these wood-destroying pests will return year after year and tunnel further and further and be more of a nuisance to you and cause some financial damage as well. The safest approach is to contact a licensed and insured pest control operator like Vine & Branch Pest Control Solutions LLC, who can exterminate this pest for you.