What are boring bees?

Carpenter bees are often referred to as boring bees. They are given this name because they burrow into trees or the wood on houses to create their nests.

Carpenter bees look similar to bumblebees. The male carpenter bee never stings, and the female will only sting if handled. These bees will sometimes make their homes near the eaves of houses that are made of wood. They do not eat the wood as some wasps do, but instead they tunnel into it to give birth to their young and to hibernate during winter. While they are not considered dangerous to humans, the tunneling can cause significant damage to homes.