Trtoise Tips The Organization for the Protection of Nevada's Resident Tortoises, Inc. A non-profit organization since 1982

Please! Please! Please do not kill our beautiful, big, black carpenter bees. They are very valuable pollinators and bee numbers are down, dramatically. Bees are needed for pollinating crops and other fruits important to other animals.

When bees are working at flowers they are intent on just that, even the Africanized Honey Bees. Only when you get near their nests are they apt to feel that they have to defend themselves.

Carpenter bees may seem curious and come near you momentarily, but I would like to hear from that rare person who may have been stung because of an accidental encounter. The females are black. The males are rare and tan. Watch for them. They are quite wonderful.