Carpenter Bees Carpenter Bees are large black and yellow bees that look like and often mistaken for Bumble Bees. The main difference is that carpenter bees drill perfectly round holes in wood where they lay their eggs. The picture of a larvae to the left is a immature carpenter bee. Aside from the presence of the bees and the holes, there is always a pile of sawdust directly under the hole. Holes are usually drilled horizontally but occasionally they will be vertically as well.
Damage can be severe depending on where and how deep the bees nest.
Generally they are found on old trellises, in dilapidated buildings etc, but they have been know to nest in beams in causeways of apartment buildings, under stairs, and in wooden fences. Control can be achieved with insecticide dust such as Delta Dust, or Bora Care, but should be done with care. I have not known them to sting, and they are not aggressive, but definitely a potential threat.