When it comes to bees, discerning between these species is tricky but important, especially in the Atlanta metro area. These two bees may look alike but have different appearances and habits. Carpenter bees are known for boring holes in wood, potentially causing property damage.
Bumble bees are pollinators of significance that that typically do not damage your property. Learn how to identify both of them and understand their purpose in the environment. Smart Solutions Wildlife Removal offers full home pest protection. Click here to learn more about our services for carpenter bees and wasps.
What Are Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa) are large, solitary bees that are known for their destructive nature to bore holes into wood. They are sometimes confused with bumble bees because of their similarities in size and physical appearance. Check out this article on structural carpenter bee damage.
However, carpenter bees have several different characteristics that set them apart. One of the main unique traits, is their glossy, black abdomen, which is smooth and hairless. In variation, bumble bees have a fuzzy, hairy abdomen that aids them in the pollination process.
Carpenter bees are known for chewing holes into wooden structures to create hollow nesting chambers. This can be a threat for homes and businesses, particularly houses with wooden decks and eaves. Their tunneling can lead to major structural damage if not treated in time.
While they don’t typically cause catastrophic like termites, carpenter bees can damage wood trim, beams and siding over time. Termite nests are subterranean and can reach epic proportions with size and threats to properties.
What Are Bumble Bees?
Bumble bees (genus Bombus) are social bees, living in larger colonies that can range from a few to several hundred members. Unlike carpenter bees, bumble bees are fuzzy and covered in hair, making them excellent insects to collect pollen. Their fat bodies are usually covered with dull yellow and black striped sections, makes them stand out.
These bees are also more round and bigger than other bee species, which is why they are often confused for carpenter bees. Bumble bees have a vital role in pollination in the spring and summer when flowering plants in the Atlanta area are in bloom.
They are known to “buzz pollinate,” a trait that involves vibrating their bodies to release pollen from flowers. This makes them important and effective pollinators for crops like strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries. They feed on both nectar and pollen.
Differences Between Carpenter Bees and Bumble Bees
1. Appearance:
- Carpenter Bees: Large, shiny black and smooth abdomen with no hair. A female carpenter bees thorax is covered in yellow hair with a black dot.
- Bumble Bees: Fuzzy, covered in thick, dull yellow and black hairs. Their abdomen is round and fully covered in dense, yellow, black or orange hair.
2. Behavior:
- Carpenter Bees: They are non-aggressive and solitary, carpenter bees can sting only if harassed. They often hover near structures and will drill holes into wood to nest and make chambered channels with 5-10+ developing forms of life.
- Bumble Bees: Social insects living in colonies up to several hundred members, containing a queen, workers, and drones(males). They are generally non – aggressive but will sting to protect the hive.
3. Nesting Habits:
- Carpenter Bees: Drill into cedar, pine or weathered wood, particularly in eaves, decks, porches and fences, boring circular tunnels to lay eggs. Over time, these holes can cause structural damage and attract woodpeckers because of the larvae.
- Bumble Bees: Build their nests in the ground in stumps or in piles of leaves and landscaping. They are less likely to be a problem for homeowners because they do not normally nest in structures.
4. Pollination:
- Carpenter Bees: While they do pollinate, their primary focus is on boring in wood to nest, which makes them less of a factor than bumble bees for pollination of agricultural crops.
- Bumble Bees: Highly important pollinators, essential for a variety of flowering plants and crops. Their ability to pollinate flowers by vibration makes them ideal for crops like blueberries and peppers.
Carpenter Bees and Bumble Bees in the Atlanta Metro Area
In the Atlanta metro area, both carpenter bees and bumble bees are commonly found in gardens, parks, and neighborhoods. The warm climate of Georgia makes it a perfect state for both of these species to thrive. Click here to learn more about Smart Solutions Wildife Removal Pest control services that include carpenter bee nesting control and wasp control.
Carpenter bees are more likely to be seen around wooden structures with beams, wood siding and overhangs. If you notice perfectly round holes with saw dust in the wood around your home, , you may be dealing with a carpenter bee problem. These holes are often about 1/2 inch a round, and they can be an invitation for woodpeckers, to come in search of larvae.
On the other hand, bumble bees are more likely to be found in gardens and flowers Their social colonies typically nest in the ground, so you would see them in areas of the yard or flower beds. Bumble bees are usually not a threat to homeowners, unless a nest is nearby because they not aggressive or damaging.
How to Get Rid Of Carpenter Bees
If you find carpenter bees are causing damage to your property, there are several ways to manage them:
- Seal the Holes: After carpenter bees have left for the season (typically in October), seal the holes with caulk.
- Use Bee Repellents: There are various repellents available to deter carpenter bees from chewing in your wood. Some repellents are natural and some are eco-friendly chemicals. If activity continues call a bee exterminator company.
- Paint and Treat Wood: Carpenter bees prefer unpainted wood, so painting or staining can help reduce infestations.
Why Are Bumble Bees Important?
Bumble bees are crucial for the ecosystem, without their help with pollination it can affect both the environment and agriculture. If you see bumble bees on your property, don’t fret, they are generally docile and will only sting if threatened. If you’re a gardener, plant native flowering plants and creating a welcoming environment for these pollinators.
Summary
While both carpenter bees and bumble bees are common in the Atlanta metro area, they have vastly different habits and disadvantages. Carpenter bee cause some damage to wooden structures, but they are mostly harmless to humans. Bumble bees, furthermore are beneficial pollinators and play a key roll role in local ecosystems.
Whether you’re dealing with the damage from carpenter bees or welcoming bumble bees into your garden, understanding their distinctions will help you make sound decisions on how to handle them.
