Carpenter bee or bumble bee? How can you tell? Carpenter bees do not have hairy bottoms as the bumble bees do. Male and female carpenter bees are also different colors. Male carpenter bees are a solid black and are unable to sting. As for the female carpenter bees, they are more of a beige color with a black abdomen and can sting quite well. Carpenter bees can also be identified by their jerky flight, which most likely resembles that of a humming bird. Carpenter bees range in sizes from 1/2" to 1". Carpenter ants nest in wood in holes that are about 1/2" round in diameter with piles of saw dust underneath. Near an occupied carpenter bee nest you will most likely find a male carpenter bee buzzing around, chasing anything that comes near the nest. Usually only one pair of carpenter bees occupy a single nest. However in some cases there may be more bee pairs in one nest. Nest entrances can be found in the underside of wooden surfaces.