What is a typical behavior of carpenter bees?

Carpenter bees are known for their unique nesting habits, which involve boring into wood to create their nesting tunnels. This behavior is characteristic of these bees, as they do not construct hives like many other bee species. Instead, female carpenter bees chew through soft, untreated wood to create a series of tunnels where they lay their eggs. This wood-boring behavior can often lead to damage in wooden structures such as decks, fences, and the eaves of homes, making them a concern in terms of structural integrity.

The other options provide information about behaviors that do not apply to carpenter bees. For instance, they do not build nests underground, as certain other bee species or insects might. Feeding on the bark of trees is also not a characteristic behavior of carpenter bees; they primarily feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Additionally, carpenter bees do not form large colonies in soil; rather, they are generally solitary or may form small aggregations, but their nests are specifically in wood, not soil. Understanding these behaviors helps in identifying and managing carpenter bee populations effectively in pest control practices.