Carpenter bees attack primarily bare, unpainted softwoods.
Although they buzz, hover and look like bumble bees, carpenter bees are very much different in appearance and habit. Also, carpenter bees lack pollen baskets on their hind legs. Carpenter bees are solitary bees, and although capable of delivering a sting, female carpenter bees will only sting if prodded and provoked. Female carpenter bees have strong jaws which they use to bore into, primarily, unfinished wood. Damage attributable to the excavating activities of a single carpenter bee is slight.