Bees in West Virginia in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in West Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,092 of the 7,918 sightings logged across the year (13.8%), 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 West Virginia
13.8%
of yearly sightings
1,092
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
7,918
verified records a year
April 17.3%, May 13.8%, June 12.9%. Busiest month is August at 18.7%.
7,918 verified observations of bees in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
August
1,484 records (18.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.1% |
| February | 20 | 0.3% |
| March | 379 | 4.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,367 | 17.3% |
| May | 1,092 | 13.8% |
| June | 1,022 | 12.9% |
| Julypeak | 1,348 | 17% |
| Augustpeak | 1,484 | 18.7% |
| September | 772 | 9.7% |
| October | 351 | 4.4% |
| November | 64 | 0.8% |
| December | 14 | 0.2% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 1,574 |
| Western Honey Bee | 823 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 631 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 468 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 332 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 316 |
| Sanderson's Bumble Bee | 274 |
| Perplexing Bumble Bee | 149 |
In West Virginia, May carries 13.8% of the year's bees sightings, about 5.5 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 April (17.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.9%) after. The busiest month is August (18.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in West Virginia are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter 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
- Common Eastern Bumble Bee1,574 records
- Western Honey Bee823 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee631 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee468 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee332 records
- Pure Green Sweat bee316 records
Plan your bee trip in West Virginia
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in West Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in West Virginia
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 West Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,092 of the 7,918 verified bees sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 13.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in West Virginia?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in West Virginia?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, April and July, based on 7,918 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in West Virginia in other months
More wildlife in West Virginia