Carpenter Bees

• Resemble bumblebees, but the top of the carpenter
  bee's abdomen is a hairless, often shiny black, and has
  no yellow stripe.
• Are about one inch.
• Bore into dried, seasoned, and untreated wood-surfaces, preferring softwoods such as cedar, redwood, cypress, pine, and fir.
• Males are noted for aggressive behavior and a white spot on their face. They are harmless, however, and do not possess stingers; females have stingers but are generally docile.
• Nest in nail holes, exposed saw-cuts, and unpainted wood.
• Leave sawdust piles near perfectly round tunnels in a wood; often these sawdust piles are accompanied by defecation stains. 
• Usually emerge from the nest in the spring.
• Are commonly found in porch and shed ceilings, railings, overhead trim, wooden porch- furniture, dead tree limbs, fence posts, wooden shingles, wooden siding, window sills, and wooden doors; prefer wood that is at least two-inches thick.