These charming pollinators make my garden better.
I would describe my feelings oninsectsas somewhere between apathy and trepidation.
Ill marvel at a butterfly on somemilkweed, but Im not likely to invite her into my living room.
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And while I admire their expertise, entomologists have never once appeared on my career aspirations list.
But Im not working off emotion alone.
Carpenter bees are actually a majorly beneficial insect.
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Members of the Xylocopa genus,carpenter beesare the largest native species of bees in the United States.
They are not hive-forming bees; they live in solitary nests, one female per gallery.
How Can I Identify Carpenter Bees?
Bumblebee (left); carpenter bee (right).Credit: L-R: Flickr usersBob Peterson(CC by SA license) andDavid Hill(CC license)
These bees are often mistaken for bumblebees because they have a similar large and round shape.
They fly more slowly than other kinds of bees, like honeybees, because of their size.
The easiest way to tell a carpenter bee from a bumblebee is their hairor lack thereof.
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Carpenters have yellow fuzz on their thorax, but their abdomens are shiny, black, and hairless.
But even easier than looking at the bees themselves is looking for evidence of their unique nesting habits.
Their galleries will appear like remarkably even circular holes in wood, usually untreated and unpainted wood.
Credit: Richard Laughlin
You might even see small piles of sawdust beneath before you notice the holes themselves.
This is because female carpenter bees dont actually eat the wood they excavate,like termites might.
Only years of repeat nesting in the same place would be cause for concern.
What Benefits Do Carpenter Bees Offer?
This process is integral to growing most things in your yard or garden.
Carpenter bees are native to our region, meaning they will not over-reproduce and crowd out other important species.
How Can I Help Pollinators At My Home?
Keeping your garden or yard planted throughout the seasons is also important for pollinators.
Imagine your favorite local restaurant started only operating in the springyoud be mighty hungry come October!
Even just adjusting your attitude toward bees and other insects can be a boon for them.
