Carpenter bees prefer to bore into which type of surfaces?

Carpenter bees are known for their distinct behavior of boring into wood to create nests. They prefer unfinished or unpainted wood because this type of wood is softer and easier for them to tunnel into. Unfinished wood does not contain protective coatings, making it more accessible for the bees to excavate. Unlike painted surfaces, which deter the bees due to the harder barriers created by paint, unfinished or unpainted wood allows for easier penetration.

Furthermore, while some might think carpenter bees would be attracted to softwoods, the key factor is actually the lack of treatment on the wood surface, which indicates a preference for natural, exposed wood. This tendency is what makes untreated or unpainted wooden structures more vulnerable to infestations by carpenter bees. They do not typically bore into metal or synthetic surfaces, as these materials do not provide the same nesting opportunities as wood.