My Boss is a 6 legged Carpenter...

Bee.
My Boss is a 6-legged Carpenter Bee! Get it?!

Okay, maybe that’s only funny to me. Anyway… Today I’m going to focus on Carpenter Bees and that will be the end of this little foray into different bee and wasp species.

Behold: The Industrious Carpenter Bee.

Why are they called “Carpenter Bees”?

These bees get their names because their nests( also called galleries) are found in excavated holes in wood. Contrary to popular belief, these little critters do not actually eat wood. They survive off of nectar and pollen, like most other bees.

If they don’t eat wood, how do the create holes in my house (shed, garage, building…)?

Female Carpenter Bees are responsible for the holes and tunnels you see in your structure. Because building a gallery is requires so much hard work and energy, it makes more sense for the bee to build off a pre-existing tunnel. She does this by using her mandibles to create a perfect hole about the width of her own body. Generally, it takes her about six days to build an inch of her tunnel. Eastern Carpenter Bees prefer to nest in soft woods, such as cedar, pine, and fir. They also really enjoy weathered wood, as it’s already “broken in” and easier for them to tunnel through.

Carpenter Bee "Gallery":

Interesting Fact: Male Carpenter Bees do not have a stinger. Only females do.

How do I keep them away from my house?
A good way to keep Carpenter Bees from invading your structure is to coat any exposed wood with a polyurethane or oil-based paint. You may also want to consider using alternative materials such as vinyl siding, aluminum, or asphalt.

It’s too late for me. I already have them. What can I do?!

If you already have damage from Carpenter Bees you may be able to stop them in their tracks. A simple wood putty may be used to plug up holes. After you have done that, paint over the affect surface with an oil or polyurethane-based paint. Always be sure to repaint the wooden surfaces of your home or structure every few years, as the paint will begin to weather from being exposed to the elements.

The Humble Bumble

Meet the Bumblebee:

Hello!

Bumblebees are often confused with Carpenter Bees:

Notice the differences!

What exactly does a Bumblebee do?

 Well, like the Honeybee, Bumblebees are pollinators. A pollinator is a creature that carries pollen from one flower stigma to another. Pollinating flowers, fruits, vegetables, and trees are the primary function of Bumblebees.

 Interesting Fact: Bumblebees are used for a practice called buzz pollination. This is because the frequency of their buzz can actually cause plants to emit pollen! Crazy, huh? (They are used in tomato greenhouses- wild!)

Where do Bumblebees live?

Bumblebees can live in tunnels (similar to Yellow Jackets ) or in the abandoned nests of other animals such as mice. Bumblebee nests are rather small, with a large nest housing around 50 bees.

Witness:

        It really does look like a nest!

Do Bumblebees sting?

Yes. And No.  Bumblebees do have stingers, and like Wasps, have the ability to sting multiple times. Will they sting you? Probably not. You are more likely to "buzzed" as Bumblebees would much prefer to bully and intimidate you, than sting you. They are much more passive than aggressive. However, I was stung by a Bumblebee at camp once (in my finger) and it hurt like the dickens! As with any stinging creature, practice common sense, people!

Interesting Fact: The buzzing sounds that bees make aren't actually made by the beating of their wings, but by their flight muscles.....

Flight of the Bumblebee

According to myth, Bumblebees should not be able to fly. This would be true if you were soley to apply the Law of Aerodynamics. However, it turns out that Bumblebees actually fly more similarly to a helicopter!

Yellow Jacket vs.Honeybee

In response to a request from a lovely reader, Samantha, I have done some research on the different species of bees that live in and around Metro Atlanta. I hope that this will help you to identify what kind of bees and wasps are in your yard.

Yellow Jackets

Bee or Wasp?
Contrary to popular belief, these picnic pests are actually social wasps. They are generally yellow and black or white and black. White and black Yellow Jackets can be easily confused with Bald-Faced Hornets. You may be able to distinguish a Yellow Jacket from a Honeybee by their markings, their frenzied side-to-side flight pattern, and their small size. Remember: Honeybees are generally more of a tan and black color and are noticably able to carry pollen on their legs ( they look like pollen "pockets" or as I like to call them: leg warmers).Also, Yellow Jackets have the capacity to sting more than one time. Honeybees, in contrast, can only sting once and then die. Yellow Jacket venom is only deadly to those who suffer from bee or wasp allergies or to those who have sustained a large number of stings at one time.

HONEYBEE:

YELLOW JACKET:

Notice the different shapes in the wings and body structure. Honeybees are hairy little guys- this allows pollen to stick to them when they visit flowers; Yellow Jackets are sleek and streamlined. Also, pay attention to the bright colors of the Yellow Jacket and the dull color of the Honeybee.

Where they live:
Yellow Jackets build colonies in trees, shrubs, attics, eaves, under porches, or in underground locations such as mouse burrows or soil cavities. They construct their colonies out of wood fiber that has been chewed into a paper pulp. On the other hand, Honeybees build their nests out of wax and take the shape of comb and do not dwell underground.

Yellow Jackets:

Notice the paper-like material of the nest and the conical shape.

Honeybees:

Bees create their colonies out wax and form comb to store brood (baby bees) and honey!

Life Cycle

Unlike Honeybees, Yellow Jackets only survive during the warmer months. In the winter, the colony will die off, leaving only the fertilized queen to survive. She will hide out in in a protective place (re: log, attic, burrow in the ground, etc) until spring. When spring arrives, she will build a small nest and raise about 50 brood. Once these youngYellow Jackets are reared and raised, she will let them take over the responsibilities of the nest and continue to lay eggs. At full capacity, a Yellow Jacket nest can have a maximum of 5,000 workers and about 15,000 brood cells. Giant Yellow Jacket nests have been reported in the Southeastern United States, as the weather is perfect for them.

All and all, I don't think it is very difficult to distinguish a Yellow Jacket from a Honeybee.