Bee Houses for Carpenter Bees Guide
At The Other Bee Guy, we’ve spent years safely removing and relocating bees throughout the region. While honey bees often take the spotlight, many people reach out to us with questions about carpenter bees, especially how to manage them without harming the environment. One of the most common inquiries we receive is about using bee houses for carpenter bees. Do they work? Can they help prevent damage? And do carpenter bees produce honey like other bees?
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about carpenter bee behavior, how bee houses can help, and what your options are if you’re dealing with an unwanted bee problem. Our approach always prioritizes humane, eco-friendly solutions, so whether you’re looking to deter carpenter bees or need assistance with relocation, we’re here to help.
Understanding Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumble bees due to their similar size and color, but their behavior is quite different. These solitary bees get their name from their nesting habits—they bore into wood to create tunnels where they lay eggs and raise their young. Unlike honey bees, carpenter bees don’t live in hives or large colonies, and they aren’t known for producing honey. If you’ve wondered, Do carpenter bees make honey?, the answer is no. While they are excellent pollinators, they don’t create or store honey like honey bees do.
Our team has worked with countless homeowners and businesses facing carpenter bee issues. One of the most common signs of carpenter bee activity is perfectly round holes in wooden structures, often accompanied by sawdust beneath the site. While these bees are not aggressive and rarely sting, their nesting behavior can cause significant damage to homes, sheds, fences, and other wooden structures.
Carpenter Bee Homes – Where Do They Live?
Unlike honey bees that build intricate wax hives, carpenter bees prefer natural or untreated wood. They tunnel into surfaces like eaves, decks, railings, and fascia boards, creating galleries where they can lay eggs. Each female bee typically works alone, boring into wood and expanding the tunnels over time. As professionals in bee relocation and bee removal, we often find carpenter bee tunnels in areas where people least expect them.
If you’ve discovered carpenter bees around your home, it’s essential to understand that while they can be a nuisance, they’re also valuable pollinators. We never recommend using harmful chemicals or extermination tactics. Instead, we encourage people to explore safer solutions, like providing carpenter bee homes or wooden bee houses that offer alternative nesting options and help deter them from causing damage.
Bee Houses for Carpenter Bees – Are They Effective?
Over the years, we’ve tested and recommended various bee houses for carpenter bees as a preventive measure. These structures can serve as alternative nesting sites, encouraging carpenter bees to settle away from your home or other valuable wood surfaces. However, it’s important to note that not all bee houses are created equal.
The key is to use a wooden bee house made from untreated, weather-resistant wood, designed with pre-drilled holes that mimic the type of nesting site carpenter bees seek. Placement is also critical. Bee houses should be installed in areas where carpenter bees are active, preferably in sunny spots protected from wind and rain.
Some people opt for store-bought bee houses, while others take the carpenter bee house DIY route. We support both approaches, provided the construction and placement follow best practices. We’ve helped numerous clients design effective bee houses that reduce damage and promote coexistence with these beneficial pollinators.
If you’re unsure about the proper setup or need assistance with an existing carpenter bee issue, we’re happy to provide guidance or professional support through our bee relocation services. You can learn more about our process by visiting our our process page or reach out directly through our contact page.
How to Build a Carpenter Bee House (DIY Guide Overview)
For those who are handy, building your own bee house for carpenter bees can be a cost-effective and rewarding project. While we won’t go into every detail here, we can share some general tips to get you started.
First, choose the right wood—cedar or pine are commonly used because they’re easy to work with and naturally weather-resistant. Drill holes about a half-inch in diameter and at least three to four inches deep at a slight upward angle. This mimics the natural tunnels carpenter bees create. Make sure the edges are smooth to prevent injury to the bees.
Mount the bee house securely on a wall, post, or other stable structure. Please place it in a sunny location where carpenter bees have previously been active. Proper maintenance is also essential—clean the bee house annually and inspect for signs of overuse or wear.
At The Other Bee Guy, we’re all about eco-friendly, humane solutions. If you’ve built or purchased a bee house and need advice on placement or effectiveness, let us know. And if carpenter bees are already causing trouble, we offer safe bee removal and bee hive relocation services that protect both your property and the bees themselves.
Continue learning about our full range of services, including nucleus colonies for local pollination through bee nucs and nucleus, or browse our customer reviews to see why people trust us for expert, humane bee relocation at reviews.
For any questions or concerns about carpenter bees or bee houses, don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact page.
Carpenter Bees vs. Bumble Bees – Understanding the Difference
We often receive calls from customers who are unsure whether they’re dealing with carpenter bees or bumble bees. At The Other Bee Guy, we take the time to correctly identify the species before recommending any solution. While these two bees can look alike, their behavior and nesting habits are quite different.
Carpenter bees are solitary and nest in wood, while bumble bees are social and build colonies underground or in dense vegetation. People sometimes search for a bumble bee colony for sale, but it’s important to know that bumble bees are protected in some areas and are not typically sold for backyard beekeeping the way honey bees are.
Another key difference: carpenter bees do not produce honey, while bumble bees create small amounts of honey to feed their colony. If you’re seeing large bees hovering around wood surfaces or discovering small round holes in beams or siding, chances are you have carpenter bees.
Identifying the correct bee species is crucial before taking action. We provide thorough inspections and humane bee removal or bee relocation services tailored to your situation. If you're unsure about the type of bee or the extent of the issue, our experts can help. Visit our bee removal page for more information or contact us directly.
Eco-Friendly Solutions and Relocation Advice
At The Other Bee Guy, we take pride in offering humane, eco-friendly alternatives to harmful pesticides and extermination. Carpenter bees, despite their sometimes destructive nesting habits, play an essential role in pollination. Our goal is always to protect both your property and the local ecosystem.
Bee houses for carpenter bees are one solution. They provide an alternative nesting site, helping to deter bees from damaging wood structures. However, they’re most effective when combined with proper maintenance of your home’s exterior and proactive management.
In cases where bee houses alone don’t resolve the issue, we offer professional bee relocation services. Our team safely removes carpenter bees and transports them to areas where they can thrive without causing damage. We follow a meticulous process to ensure the bees are handled with care. Learn more about our approach on our our process page.
Additionally, we help clients interested in supporting pollinators through bee nucs and nucleus colonies. These small starter colonies are ideal for responsible beekeeping and pollination support. If you’re curious about local honey or how you can get involved in protecting bees, check out our local honey page.
Bee Houses for Carpenter Bees Is a Smart Choice
Carpenter bees are a fascinating and often misunderstood species. While they don’t produce honey like their honey bee cousins, they play a valuable role in nature’s pollination cycle. If you’re dealing with unwanted carpenter bee activity around your home, consider humane solutions first, like installing a wooden bee house or consulting with professionals about bee relocation.
At The Other Bee Guy, we combine years of hands-on experience with a deep respect for bees and the environment. Our commitment to safe, eco-conscious practices has earned us the trust of homeowners and businesses throughout the area.
If you have questions about carpenter bee homes, DIY bee houses, or need immediate assistance with bee removal, we’re here to help. Visit our contact page to reach out, or explore our reviews to see how we’ve helped others solve their bee problems safely and effectively.
Protect your property while preserving nature—partner with The Other Bee Guy for expert bee solutions you can trust.