I have carpenter bees every yr. Only a couple . I always leave them alone. I hung outside drapes not knowing the bee comes back. I watched one vlimb the sheer drapes. I didn’t see the bee ànd figured it got home. This morning I foung the bee on a piece of Kleenex on the ground should I leave the bee . I feel bad its cold here in Toronto.
Thank-you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners with your question about carpenter bees.
Our organization is not expert in insect identification or control.
In terms of the effect of carpenter bees on the garden, it is interesting to note that this bee is a significant pollinator. The adults move quickly through the garden, pollinating a wide swath in a short time. They are not bothered by other bees, and do not tend to sting (only the female is even capable of stinging) so are a positive presence in the garden.
The difficulty with carpenter bees is that the female bores holes in wooden structures in order to create “galleries” in which to lay eggs and nurture the young larvae. A significant infestation can cause structural damage because of these hollows created in the wood. If you are concerned about an infestation of carpenter bees, you should consult an expert in insect control.
Here is a link to a useful site on the Eastern carpenter bee:
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Eastern-Carpenter-Bee