REFERENCE SHEET · UPDATED NOVEMBER 11, 2026
Carpenter bee facts and statistics for 2026.
Clear, sourced figures for homeowners trying to understand the bee, the hole, and the wood. This page focuses on eastern carpenter bees and links each fact to the original guidance.
THE QUICK READ
Useful numbers, without the folklore.
Carpenter bees are native pollinators, but repeated nesting in vulnerable wood can create a real maintenance issue. The figures below help distinguish a fresh nesting site from a guess, then point you toward reliable, practical next steps.
¾–1 in.
Typical eastern carpenter bee length
Eastern carpenter bees are large bees, roughly three-quarters of an inch to one inch long. Their shiny black abdomen is a useful clue when telling them apart from fuzzy bumble bees.
University of Maryland Extension, updated October 17, 2024 ↗½ in.
Approximate entrance-hole diameter
A female makes a nearly circular entrance about half an inch across. That opening runs 1–2 inches into the wood before turning with the grain.
University of Maryland Extension, updated October 17, 2024 ↗6–12 in.
Common tunnel length
A gallery may run 6–12 inches along the grain. Old galleries can be lengthened and reused by later generations, which is why recurring spots deserve attention.
University of Maryland Extension, updated October 17, 2024 ↗~1 in.
Length of each brood cell
Each brood cell is about an inch long and holds one egg with its pollen-and-nectar food supply. The female builds a line of these cells inside the tunnel.
University of Maryland Extension, updated October 17, 2024 ↗April–May
Usual nest-site search window
In the Mid-Atlantic guidance used here, females typically look for nest sites in April or May. Weather and local conditions can shift the exact timing in East Tennessee.
University of Maryland Extension, updated October 17, 2024 ↗0
Stingers on male carpenter bees
Males may hover and defend a nesting area, but they have no stinger. Females can sting when handled or threatened, so an active opening is best given space.
Cornell Integrated Pest Management, accessed November 11, 2026 ↗HOW TO USE THIS PAGE
Keep the evidence close to the wood.
Fresh sawdust beneath a clean, circular hole can signal active excavation. A single tunnel is not usually a structural emergency, but repeated galleries, weathered wood, or hard-to-reach eaves are worth a closer look. For a ready-to-hang option near an active area, see the carpenter bee trap collection. For placement help, start with the trap placement guide.
METHODOLOGY & SOURCES
Built from university extension guidance.
This reference sheet uses only public university extension and integrated pest management guidance. Figures are quoted or closely summarized from the sources linked below, and the page is reviewed on a regular cadence so its links and numbers stay useful.
- University of Maryland Extension: Carpenter Bees, updated October 17, 2024 ↗
- Cornell Integrated Pest Management: Carpenter Bees, accessed November 11, 2026 ↗
Cite this page
K9 NOX ARTISAN CRAFTS. “Carpenter Bee Facts and Statistics for 2026.” Updated November 11, 2026. https://k9noxartisancrafts.com/carpenter-bee-statistics