Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The DU Lounge

Metaphorical

(2,470 posts)

4. It's probably a carpenter bee

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Tue Apr 29, 2025, 10:44 AM

Apr 29

Hornets are usually yellow and more "bug"-like. Probably not a queen (queen's don't usually leave the nest). My guess is that if you have flowers near the base of your deck, that's what is attracting it, though a bird feeder or something similar (especially for hummingbirds) may also be what's attracting it. Let it be - it's doing an important service, especially at this time of the year, and there are too few bees in the world.

You may want to get your deck inspected, however. Carpenter bee's are attracted to rotting wood (fermenting) and as such it's presence may indicate that your deck is not as structurally sound as it should be.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

14 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I think I have either a hornet or a bumble bee always hovering around my deck and I wonder why? [View all] CTyankee Apr 29 OP

Carpenter bee? bucolic_frolic Apr 29 #1

sounds like it..... getagrip_already Apr 29 #3

Looks like it. Google said to leave citrus fruit peels out because they hate them. CTyankee Apr 29 #5

Type of bee badgolfer Apr 29 #2

It's probably a carpenter bee Metaphorical Apr 29 #4

Will do. The guy who did the deck for us is still around and I can ask him how old it is now. Probably 4 or 5 years. CTyankee Apr 29 #6

The carpenter bees have guard duty Marthe48 Apr 29 #7

OMG, when would that happen? It would probably kill me... CTyankee Apr 29 #8

I didn't mean to scare you! Marthe48 Apr 29 #12

How can you tell it's a male? Emile Apr 29 #9

I can't. Maybe it's a "she." Whatever.... CTyankee Apr 29 #10

Terrific eyesight! Marthe48 Apr 29 #11

You should look for holes in the wood, especially the eaves nuxvomica Apr 29 #13

Never mind Easterncedar Apr 29 #14

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»I think I have either a h...»Reply #4