Bees in Illinois in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bees in Illinois. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 12,253 of the 92,820 sightings logged across the year (13.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for bees in Illinois
13.2%
of yearly sightings
12,253
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
92,820
verified records a year
August 21.5%, September 13.2%, October 3.1%. Busiest month is July at 28.7%.
92,820 verified observations of bees in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
July
26,662 records (28.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 0% |
| February | 54 | 0.1% |
| March | 778 | 0.8% |
| April | 6,674 | 7.2% |
| May | 8,738 | 9.4% |
| Junepeak | 14,534 | 15.7% |
| Julypeak | 26,662 | 28.7% |
| Augustpeak | 19,990 | 21.5% |
| September | 12,253 | 13.2% |
| October | 2,877 | 3.1% |
| November | 222 | 0.2% |
| December | 14 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 16,039 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 9,905 |
| Western Honey Bee | 8,093 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 6,737 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 4,335 |
| Black-and-gold Bumble Bee | 2,872 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 2,348 |
| Golden Northern Bumble Bee | 2,159 |
In Illinois, September carries 13.2% of the year's bees sightings, about 4.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (21.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (3.1%) after. The busiest month is July (28.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Illinois are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Common Eastern Bumble Bee16,039 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee9,905 records
- Western Honey Bee8,093 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee6,737 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee4,335 records
- Black-and-gold Bumble Bee2,872 records
Plan your bee trip in Illinois
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Illinois.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Illinois
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bees in Illinois in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 12,253 of the 92,820 verified bees sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 13.2% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bees in Illinois?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Illinois?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 92,820 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Illinois in other months
More wildlife in Illinois