Do carpenter bees build nests?

Carpenter bees make nests in wood by drilling round holes that are about 1/2-inch in diameter and 1-inch long, according to Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Carpenter bees often make their nests in telephone poles, doors, windows, shingles and lawn furniture.

Male and female bees hibernate in these nests during the winter, explains Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. In the spring, the ants mate and prepare their tunnels for their broods. This involves enlarging the existing tunnels or building new ones. Although a single bee does not cause much damage, as each brood enlarges the tunnels, extensive damage to the wood may occur.