SIZE: Up to 1 1/2 inches

COLOR: Dark-colored with yellow markings on top

DESCRIPTION: Carpenter bees are large bees, resembling bumble bees. They are heavy-bodied and metallic blue-black with green or purplish highlights. The bodies are covered with bright yellow or orange hairs.

HABITAT: These insects build their nests in wood siding, the ends of logs used in modern log houses, or other areas where bare or painted wood is exposed

LIFE CYCLE: The males and females cut a one-half inch hole into the wood, then create a tunnel parallel to the surface of the wood. Within the tunnel the female stores food and lays eggs. The developing carpenter bee larvae are in individual cells in the tunnel. There is usually only one generation per year.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Cut holes in wood; yellow sawdust containing waste materials leaves unsightly stains. Also, woodpeckers will sometimes "peck" into the galleries to eat the larvae; thus, causing more damage to the wood.

PREVENTION: Control of these insects can be achieved by spraying the entrance hole with an aerosol insecticide and plugging it with wood putty to prevent adults from returning.

INTERESTING FACTS: Females are quite docile, but can sting. Males are aggressive, but cannot sting.