What do carpenter bees primarily do?

Carpenter bees are primarily known for their behavior of making tunnels in wood for nesting purposes. Unlike honeybees or bumblebees, which create hive structures, carpenter bees bore into wood, often choosing soft or weathered wood such as decks, fences, and wooden siding. The tunnels they create serve as nests for laying eggs and raising their young. These tunnels are often smooth and round, distinguishing carpenter bees from wood-boring beetles that create more irregular holes.

While feeding on nectar is also a part of a carpenter bee's life, it is not their primary activity. They do contribute to pollination while feeding, but their significant impact on the environment and their behavior is linked to their nesting habits. Additionally, carpenter bees do not live in large colonies like honeybees; instead, they are more solitary or may have small groups of females nesting in proximity, but this does not equate to a colony structure like that of social bees.