Carpenter bees are different from other bees in that they work wood by chewing holes, which eventually become tunnels with different chambers in which to lay eggs. The same area is used over a period of years, so look for bees drilling wood or hovering around exposed unfinished wood. The bees prefer unpainted or weathered softwoods, such as redwood, cedar, cypress and pine. Painted or pressure-treated wood is much less susceptible to attack. Common nesting sites tend to be arbors, decks, eaves, window trim, fascia boards, siding, wooden shakes, and outdoor wood furniture.
