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Eastern carpenter bees emerge in early March to nest and reproduce. As its name suggests, the eastern carpenter bee builds its nests by excavating tunnels into dry, exposed wood. Females build their nests by boring entrances perpendicular to the face of the wood, then excavating tunnels by scraping off wood shavings along the wood grain. These shavings are then used to construct walls between nesting cells. Females usually nest together in couples or triplets; however, only one female builds the nest, forages supplies, and lays eggs. Old nests are commonly reused and expanded in following years. In the summer, the next generation emerges, overwinters, and continues the cycle the next spring. Males patrol nesting sites in March and April, mate with female bees, then die in the late spring. As intimidating as they may be, male carpenter bees are harmless; they cannot sting.