Do carpenter bees sting?

Female carpenter bees rarely sting, although they may if they are extremely provoked or roughly handled. Males are incapable of stinging. Although the carpenter bee is often mistaken for the bumblebee because of its appearance, the carpenter bee is not a social insect.

Carpenter bees build their nests in areas that contain wood, such as in trees or in frame buildings. The activity of several generations of carpenter bees can cause significant damage to a structure. During the winter, young adult males and females hibernate in the tunnels they previously constructed. Mating occurs in the spring, which is followed by the further renovation of the bees' nest to prepare for the coming young.