Bees in Pennsylvania in September

Yes, September is a good month to see bees in Pennsylvania. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 10,110 of the 68,038 sightings logged across the year (14.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Common Eastern Bumble Bee photographed in PennsylvaniaAster Cellophane Bee photographed in PennsylvaniaAsian Shaggy Digger Bee photographed in Pennsylvania
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bees in Pennsylvania

14.9%

of yearly sightings

10,110

records in September

#4

busiest month of 12

68,038

verified records a year

August 16.1%, September 14.9%, October 4.9%. Busiest month is July at 20%.

Best months: July, June, AugustPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

December

36 records

MonthObservationsShare
January390.1%
February1250.2%
March1,6782.5%
April8,71812.8%
May7,72311.4%
Junepeak11,19916.5%
Julypeak13,64120%
Augustpeak10,95616.1%
September10,11014.9%
October3,3444.9%
November4690.7%
December360.1%

Bees you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee11,954
Western Honey Bee9,917
Eastern Carpenter Bee6,154
Brown-belted Bumble Bee3,359
Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,540
Pure Green Sweat bee1,579
Perplexing Bumble Bee1,080
Ligated Furrow Bee834

In Pennsylvania, September carries 14.9% of the year's bees sightings, about 6.6 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 (16.1%) into September, and it heads toward October (4.9%) after. The busiest month is July (20%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bees most often recorded in Pennsylvania are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter 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 Bee11,954 records
  • Western Honey Bee9,917 records
  • Eastern Carpenter Bee6,154 records
  • Brown-belted Bumble Bee3,359 records
  • Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,540 records
  • Pure Green Sweat bee1,579 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your bee trip in Pennsylvania

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bees in Pennsylvania in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 10,110 of the 68,038 verified bees sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 14.9% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see bees in Pennsylvania?+

September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bees in Pennsylvania?+

July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 68,038 verified observations.

Which bees are you most likely to see in Pennsylvania?+

The most-recorded species in Pennsylvania are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.