Differences Between Carpenter Bees and Bumblebees

Differences Between Carpenter Bees and Bumblebees

Carpenter bees get their name from the fact that they prefer to bore holes inside wood to make galleries to rear their young in. They are spread worldwide with seven species counting in the United States. Since they do not have a traditional hive, they are known as solitary bees. The female carpenter bee is responsible for creating these perfect circular holes, which measure about 16 mm in diameter. The bumblebee can resemble the carpenter bee in many ways, but the upper part of their abdomen is smooth and shiny, while bumblebees are known to have hairier abdomens with yellow markings on them. Bumblebees do not nest in the wood but prefer to stay down low on the ground. 

If you suspect a carpenter bee presence anywhere near or on your property, contact carpenter bee removal Toronto for quick and safe removal.


Carpenter bees have a blue-black green or purplish shiny abdomen that looks metallic and has a quite shiny and smooth abdomen, while the abdomen of the bumblebee differs, in that the abdomen is quite fizzy and soft with hair covering most its body. The size also differs between the two, while carpenter bees measure about 1/4 or 1 inch in length, the bumblebees measure about 3/4 to 1 inch. Carpenter bees burrow in exposed wood and usually you can see perfectly circle-shaped holes in tree logs or any other surface not covered in bark. You will see fine sawdust-like material right beneath a fresh entry-point when you look for the signs of carpenter bee presence. Carpenter bees are seasonal pests and can use old nests that they have drilled before. Bumblebees, on the other hand, burrow their nest in the ground and they can use abandoned rodent burrows and cavities beneath patio stones, compost, and even piles of timber. They can take advantage of structural gaps in most older Ontarian homes such as crevices and holes that develop over time.

Bumblebees are social bees. They live in hives and make honey and wax in their beehives. When they feel that the hive is under threat, they have the tendency to sting. They mostly ignore human presence. The queen is the only bee in the hive that is fertile which the whole nest is dependent on. Carpenter bees are known as solitary bees. They do not swarm and live all alone and rarely sting. Every female is fertile. They will make holes and lay eggs in them to nurture their young. The queen will deposit the food in each of the cells and will not return. Since they are solitary bees, they are not known to sting. However, if you do get stung, seek medical attention right away. 

If you suspect wasp presence in and around the property, make sure to call a professional The Exterminators – Pest Control Toronto service in the Greater Toronto Area. Licensed professionals can take care of the wasp presence, as well as the wasps themselves.