Both bees are beneficial, though the carpenter bees can do a number on wood siding, eaves, etc. Foraging bees couldn't be less interested in you and will pay attention to their work no matter what the destraction.

In my many years of gardening, I have never been stung by a bee of any kind.

Bumblebees should have some kind of color stripe or markings and usually don't hover.

Perhaps your mornings are warmer lately, or there are more of these bees in your area, or your garden is especially attractive this year.

The bumblebees around here are easily disturbed and fly in repeated circles around me, but never land on me or come really close.

Check out this page regarding how to get rid of bees; there is a link to a good bee identification chart in the first paragraph as well.

Bumble bees live in small in-ground burrows. They like to make their nest alongside building foundations and stoops. Bumble bees are usually docile and won't bother you if you do not threaten them. However, they are protective of their nest site and may sting if you get too close to their nest. Small children collect bumble bee stings because they did not recognize this danger and maybe stepped on or near the nest.

As a kid there was a rumor that bumble bees cannot sting, since kids would hold them in their hand and not get stung. However, I believe they do have stingers, the bees just are pretty docile.

Anyway, carpenter bees tend to have slightly flattened (top to bottom) abdomens. If you saw a pic, you would see what I mean. Use Google Images to find a pic of a carpenter bee. Also, on a carpenter bee their abdomens tend to be at least shiny in spots, while bumble bee abdomens are too hairy to be shiny.

I`m an elderly lady who just had my first experience with an angry bumbler. I adore the docile bee and was surprised when one would not leave me alone. It flew around my head and tried to get at my face. After what seemed like walking a mile, it finally left. I spoke to a pest control man about this as my arms and legs were exposed and the bee was only interested in my face. He said they dislike carbon dioxide and I must have breathed on it.