Do Carpenter Bees Bite?

While they are capable of biting, carpenter bees generally do not bite people, though carpenter bees can sting—and that’s an important distinction. Carpenter bees are often mistaken for aggressive stinging insects due to their large size and noisy behavior, especially when hovering around wooden structures. However, their behavior toward humans is typically more bark than bite—or in this case, more buzz than sting.

Biting vs. Stinging

Carpenter bees do not bite humans. They have mandibles (jaws) that are used for excavating tunnels in wood, not for biting people.
Only females can sting, and they will typically only do so if directly provoked, handled, or threatened.
Male carpenter bees, which often appear more aggressive because they hover in front of people and chase away intruders from their territory, do not have stingers and are completely harmless.
The real issue with carpenter bees is the damage they cause to wood structures, not the threat to human safety. Over time, their burrowing can weaken decks, fascia boards, soffits, railings, and other wooden elements.

Carpenter bees do not bite people, and stings are rare and usually only occur with direct provocation. If you see them buzzing near your property, they're likely more interested in finding a nesting site than in harming you. However, if their presence is persistent and damaging, professional pest control is the most effective and long-term solution.