Best Time to See Bees in Maine
July, August and June is the best time to see bees in Maine. Based on 21,961 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees are most active across the year in Maine.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Mountain Mason Bee · Kyle Rossner CC BY
Osmia laticeps · Kyle Rossner CC BY
Tricolored Bumble Bee · Public domain CC0
21,961 verified observations of bees in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Maine
Peak month
July
5,546 records (25.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 39 | 0.2% |
| April | 800 | 3.6% |
| May | 2,727 | 12.4% |
| Junepeak | 3,853 | 17.5% |
| Julypeak | 5,546 | 25.3% |
| Augustpeak | 4,941 | 22.5% |
| September | 2,574 | 11.7% |
| October | 1,403 | 6.4% |
| November | 67 | 0.3% |
| December | 4 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 3,779 |
| Tricolored Bumble Bee | 2,688 |
| Western Honey Bee | 1,547 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 1,146 |
| Northern Amber Bumble Bee | 549 |
| Perplexing Bumble Bee | 510 |
| Yellow-banded Bumble Bee | 451 |
| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee | 400 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bees are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bees sit around 54 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 4" |
| Feb | 28°F | 11°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 39°F | 20°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 51°F | 32°F | 4.8" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Augbest time | 77°F | 60°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 43°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 43°F | 29°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maine. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bees in Maine:
Sightings of bees in Maine peak in July, when 5,546 of the year's 21,961 verified observations are logged — about 25.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is February, when bees are hardest to find — February sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bees you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Tricolored Bumble Bee and Western Honey Bee — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see bees in Maine
- Acadia National Park — National Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site — International Historic Site
- Frances Perkins National Monument — National Monument
- Maine Acadian Culture
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in Maine?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 21,961 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in Maine?+
February is the quietest month for bees in Maine, with only 2 verified records.
Are bees active year-round in Maine?+
Bees are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in Maine