Carpenter Bees

Sooo...I've not identified any carpenter bees on my property but I keep seeing a listing on CL for traps for carpenter bees....so, I guess they are a "problem" for folks around here...

I did a little googling but wanted to see what folks here could tell me and if my thinking is on track -- I'm thinking these bees are good pollinators and not a serious threat to wood structures...yes? no? maybe?

They are indeed good pollinators, but many people with wood structures dislike them because they dig holes in wood to make their 'nests' to lay eggs. Some people are also frightened of them because most varieties are rather large, but also most people don't seem to realize they don't sting. You can actually buy them through some companies and/or the little homes for them to be attracted to. You can also make homes for them that are inviting such as a can full of bamboo rods of various sizes nailed to a standing post or a round of wood with holes drilled nailed so that the holes are parallel to the ground.

D. Logan wrote: but also most people don't seem to realize they don't sting.

I have to debunk this one statement, Carpenter bees do indeed sting.

They have 1. stung me twice 2. swarmed and chased an Electric company worker who disturbed a nest of them in my back yard, they chased and stung him for more than two blocks.
It was only when he removed and threw his workers vest that they left him alone, they followed the movement of that vest and attacked it even as it hit the street.

As a result of my being stung, the doctor discovered that I have a severe allergic reaction to bee and wasp venom, I now have to carry two auto injectors at all times since it only takes 1 hour from my being stung until I would be buried for the great dirt nap.

From what I know, male carpenter bees do not have a stinger.
The females do but they are usually calm and rarely sting unless angered.

Carpenter bees love my rabbit hutches for some reason. I mean MUCH more than any other wooden structures such as my porch. I've been thinking of building some sort of structure near the hutches with more of the features that seem to say "prime boring spot" to them, since so many of my fruit trees and other food crops are also nearby. I've never had them being aggressive toward me or, as far as I can tell, to my rabbits. It's interesting to see that they can behave that way. I guess I should do a bit of research before putting very much into it.

You do not want carpenter bees. They are very destructive. If you get them I would suggest traps and try to eliminate them. They are supposed to be deterred by painted surfaces or somehow otherwise finished