The term “black bee” most often refers to the large, solitary insect known as the Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa). These bees are a common sight hovering around wooden structures during warmer months, raising concerns about property damage and the risk of stinging. Despite their intimidating size, the risk of a sting from this dark insect is relatively low.
Identifying the Carpenter Bee
Distinguishing the Carpenter Bee from its relative, the Bumblebee, is straightforward. Carpenter Bees are large, robust insects, typically growing to about an inch in length, with a body that is mostly black. The definitive visual cue is the abdomen, which is smooth, shiny, and largely hairless, appearing as a glossy black dome.
This contrasts sharply with the Bumblebee, which has a dense covering of hair over its entire body, giving it a fuzzy appearance. Carpenter Bees are solitary insects, meaning they do not live in large social colonies. The female excavates tunnels by boring perfectly circular holes into wood structures, which is how the species earned its common name.
Assessing the Sting Risk
The sting risk of the Carpenter Bee is strictly dependent upon the sex of the insect encountered. Only the female possesses a stinger; the male is physically incapable of stinging because it lacks the necessary anatomical structure. The female, who bores the nest tunnels, is generally docile and will only sting if she is physically handled, accidentally trapped, or if her nest is directly threatened.
Male Carpenter Bees are often noticed due to their highly territorial behavior, which involves aggressively hovering or “dive-bombing” humans near the nesting site. Though this buzzing and darting behavior can be unnerving, the male’s display is entirely a bluff. If stung by a female, the pain is generally comparable to that of a common wasp or honey bee. Unlike the honey bee, the female Carpenter Bee can sting multiple times because her stinger is not barbed and does not detach from her body.
Deterring Nesting Behavior
Since Carpenter Bees create galleries in wood to lay their eggs, deterrence focuses on making wooden structures unappealing. The bees prefer untreated or weathered wood, so applying a coat of paint, varnish, or sealant is an effective preventative measure. Using pressure-treated lumber for new construction also discourages them, as the wood is more challenging to bore into.
Natural repellents can also discourage bee activity around vulnerable areas like deck railings and eaves. Strong aromas from essential oils, such as citrus, peppermint, tea tree, or almond, can be diluted and sprayed onto potential nesting sites. After the bees have emerged from an existing nest hole, clean out the tunnel and seal the entrance with a durable material like wooden dowels or steel wool, since soft materials like caulk may not prevent re-entry.