What Are Carpenter Bees?

The carpenter bee, often confused with bumblebees, is a solitary species of stinging insect. The carpenter bee is a large species of bee. They range in size from ½ an inch to 1 ½ inch in length. Carpenter bees have a shiny black abdomen. The bumble bee’s abdomen is completely covered in dense hair. Carpenter bees are black in color, but males may have a white or yellow face. Females have stingers, but are docile and rarely sting. Males are very aggressive, but can’t sting. They basically have a very loud “bark” but no “bite” to back it up!