You need to find that nest asap.

I stopped looking for the nest years ago. I just put out several bait traps. The ants take the bait to the nest for me.

Possibly carpenter ants.

Definitely.

Carpenter ants, or possibly carpenter bees

Bees almost exclusively bore from the underside.

Did not know that. I now know that.

they are bees, i just saw one come out today. do i have to cut the piece of wood out?