There are more than 20,000 species of bees, coming in different shapes, sizes, and varying characteristics. And while most people think of bees as nature’s honey producers, the truth is that not all varieties can make this delicious nectar. For instance, do carpenter bees make honey? Keep reading to find out!
What are Carpenter Bees?
Carpenter bees are insects that get their name from their ability to “drill” round holes in wood to make their nests. They do so using their powerful jaws (which are incredibly strong for such a tiny insect).
While many people confuse them for bumblebees, carpenter bees don’t have hairs in the lower parts of their bodies. Instead, their abdomens are shiny and black, while bumblebees have theirs with black and yellow stripes. Also, while both have fuzzy thoraxes, the amount of hairs is higher in bumblebees.
Carpenter bees are solitary insects: they do not build hives and do not live in colonies. Due to their “craft,” carpenter bees are often considered pests among homeowners.
After all, by creating tunnels in the wood, they might damage the integrity of the material. Indeed, carpenter bees can build intricate tunnels that, over time, might cause the structure of the wood to collapse.
Still, carpenter bees are beneficial pollinators, so killing them might not be ideal. After all, they contribute to the health of your garden (and the surrounding ecosystem). nee
Do Carpenter Bees Make Honey?
Even if this might surprise you, the truth is that not all bees make honey. Carpenter bees don’t produce it as they are not part of the honey-producing family of bees. That’s a result of their behavior. Indeed, carpenter bees could make honey if they lived in colonies.
But, as we mentioned in the previous section, carpenter bees are solitary. And social relationships are crucial in the production of honey. Indeed, a single bee can only produce a twelfth of a tablespoon of honey during its lifetime. That means that solitary bees won’t spend their energies on nectar production since it isn’t enough to guarantee their survival.
Plus, you need to consider that making honey isn’t without its challenges. Working in a group facilitates the process and allows bees to produce this delicious nectar in larger quantities.
Why Should You Not Eliminate Carpenter Bees?
Despite not producing honey, carpenter bees are crucial creatures for the ecosystem’s health. Because of their large sizes, they are much better pollinators than honey bees.
Also, they can still pollinate even in windy and rainy conditions when most other insects are not around. So, even if you might find them annoying due to how they build their nests, you should refrain from following your instincts and killing them.
After all, carpenter bees can make your garden more productive and increase the yields of your blueberry shrubs, tomatoes, and even eggplants. Indeed, these species perform something called buzz pollination, which involves vibrations that help to disperse the pollen better. Fruit-bearing plants will produce more harvests when carpenter bees are around!
Also, carpenter bees might look aggressive, but they are usually harmless. Don’t be fooled by their large sizes and loud buzz: they rarely sting and pose little (to no) threat to humans.
To What Extent Can Carpenter Bees Damage your House?
While carpenter bees’ drilling might be annoying, you shouldn’t worry too much about structural damage affecting your property (or parts of it). Indeed, despite building extensive tunnels, these bees are not capable of causing the same damage termites would do on woodwork.
Instead, pay attention to the moisture and bacteria getting inside the wood. Indeed, soggy conditions might attract larvae and, consequently, woodpeckers, which can destroy a structure.
Related Article: Do Carpenter Bees Sting?