Bees in Michigan in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bees in Michigan. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 5,999 of the 42,733 sightings logged across the year (14%), 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 Michigan
14%
of yearly sightings
5,999
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
42,733
verified records a year
August 25%, September 14%, October 3%. Busiest month is August at 25%.
42,733 verified observations of bees in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
August
10,703 records (25% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 0% |
| February | 36 | 0.1% |
| March | 214 | 0.5% |
| April | 3,152 | 7.4% |
| May | 4,693 | 11% |
| Junepeak | 6,712 | 15.7% |
| Julypeak | 9,840 | 23% |
| Augustpeak | 10,703 | 25% |
| September | 5,999 | 14% |
| October | 1,278 | 3% |
| November | 88 | 0.2% |
| December | 8 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 8,881 |
| Western Honey Bee | 4,352 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 2,506 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 2,169 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 2,087 |
| Tricolored Bumble Bee | 1,164 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 830 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 708 |
In Michigan, September carries 14% of the year's bees sightings, about 5.7 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 (25%) into September, and it heads toward October (3%) after. The busiest month is August (25%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Michigan are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted Bumble 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 Bee8,881 records
- Western Honey Bee4,352 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee2,506 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee2,169 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,087 records
- Tricolored Bumble Bee1,164 records
Plan your bee trip in Michigan
Start with live tours near Isle Royale National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Isle Royale National Park
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 Isle Royale National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Michigan.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Michigan
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 Michigan in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 5,999 of the 42,733 verified bees sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 14% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bees in Michigan?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Michigan?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 42,733 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Michigan?+
The most-recorded species in Michigan are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Michigan in other months
More wildlife in Michigan