PestDex Details
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica
Large black bee that bores round holes in wood. Structural pest in MD/VA/DC wood-sided homes.
How to Identify
- •Large (bumblebee size), shiny black abdomen
- •Yellow fuzz on thorax
- •½ inch diameter perfectly round holes in wood
- •Males (no stinger) hover aggressively near nest
Where Found
Unpainted wood siding, fascia boards, deck railings, fence posts. Reuses and expands old galleries. Damage accumulates over years. Northern VA cedar-sided homes see heavy pressure.
Seasonality
Active April–September. Bores new holes in spring. Females overwinter in old galleries.
Health & Property Risk
Structural damage accumulates as galleries expand. Woodpecker damage (pecking holes to eat larvae) compounds problem. Female can sting if handled but rarely does. Male is aggressive but harmless (no stinger).
Prevention Tips
- •Paint or stain all exposed wood
- •Repair damaged wood and fill old holes in fall
- •Pressure-treated lumber less attractive
- •Install vinyl or composite siding/trim
- •Treat wood with permethrin or other repellent
Treatment Notes
Dust insecticide into active holes in spring. Plug holes with wood filler in fall after bees leave. Painting repels future nesting. Surface spray less effective — must treat tunnels.