Best Time to See Bees in Pennsylvania
July, June and August is the best time to see bees in Pennsylvania. Based on 68,038 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Aster Cellophane Bee · Theo Rickert CC BY
Asian Shaggy Digger Bee · Angie Hartley CC BY-ND
Brown-belted Bumble Bee · Angie Hartley CC BY-ND
68,038 verified observations of bees in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
July
13,641 records (20% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 39 | 0.1% |
| February | 125 | 0.2% |
| March | 1,678 | 2.5% |
| April | 8,718 | 12.8% |
| May | 7,723 | 11.4% |
| Junepeak | 11,199 | 16.5% |
| Julypeak | 13,641 | 20% |
| Augustpeak | 10,956 | 16.1% |
| September | 10,110 | 14.9% |
| October | 3,344 | 4.9% |
| November | 469 | 0.7% |
| December | 36 | 0.1% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 11,954 |
| Western Honey Bee | 9,917 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 6,154 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 3,359 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 2,540 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 1,579 |
| Perplexing Bumble Bee | 1,080 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 834 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
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 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Apr | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| May | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Augbest time | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bees in Pennsylvania:
Sightings of bees in Pennsylvania peak in July, when 13,641 of the year's 68,038 verified observations are logged — about 20% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when bees are hardest to find — December sees just 36 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 Pennsylvania are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter 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 Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in Pennsylvania?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 68,038 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
December is the quietest month for bees in Pennsylvania, with only 36 verified records.
Are bees active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Bees are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in Pennsylvania