Bees in Missouri in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Missouri. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 6,858 of the 80,293 sightings logged across the year (8.5%), 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 Missouri
8.5%
of yearly sightings
6,858
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
80,293
verified records a year
April 4.6%, May 8.5%, June 17.2%. Busiest month is July at 29.5%.
80,293 verified observations of bees in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
July
23,717 records (29.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 0% |
| February | 95 | 0.1% |
| March | 1,113 | 1.4% |
| April | 3,726 | 4.6% |
| May | 6,858 | 8.5% |
| Junepeak | 13,834 | 17.2% |
| Julypeak | 23,717 | 29.5% |
| Augustpeak | 16,814 | 20.9% |
| September | 11,574 | 14.4% |
| October | 2,222 | 2.8% |
| November | 277 | 0.3% |
| December | 39 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 9,198 |
| Western Honey Bee | 8,638 |
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 7,627 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 6,139 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 4,531 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 2,751 |
| American Bumble Bee | 1,941 |
| Black-and-gold Bumble Bee | 1,381 |
In Missouri, May carries 8.5% of the year's bees sightings, about 0.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.2%) after. The busiest month is July (29.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Missouri are Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Common Eastern Bumble Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee9,198 records
- Western Honey Bee8,638 records
- Common Eastern Bumble Bee7,627 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee6,139 records
- Ligated Furrow Bee4,531 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,751 records
Plan your bee trip in Missouri
Start with live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument
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 George Washington Carver National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Missouri.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Missouri
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 Missouri in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 6,858 of the 80,293 verified bees sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 8.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Missouri?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Missouri?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 80,293 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Missouri?+
The most-recorded species in Missouri are Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Common Eastern Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Missouri in other months
More wildlife in Missouri