Different bees emerge at different times of year. Some queens are out as early as February. Others do not appear until late spring. Here is a month-by-month guide to when bees come out in the UK, and when you are most likely to find a tired one.
The UK bee calendar
- February and March: bumblebee queens wake from hibernation. They are the first bees of the year.
- April to June: peak bumblebee season. Honeybee colonies grow fast and solitary bees appear.
- May to August: the busiest foraging months. The hottest weeks leave the most exhausted bees.
- September and October: colonies wind down. New queens look for places to hibernate. Ivy bees are out late.
- November to January: most species are dormant. A few, like some mining bees, may appear on mild days.
Bees and temperature
Most bees cannot fly below 12 degrees Celsius. Their flight muscles need warmth to work. On a cool morning you may find a bee sitting still, waiting for the sun. A cold bee is not always a tired one. Give it time to warm up before you step in.
Which species are out when
The buff-tailed bumblebee is one of the first, with queens out from late winter. Red-tailed bumblebees follow in spring. Honeybees fly whenever it is warm enough, from early spring to autumn. Solitary bees, like mining bees and mason bees, have short flight seasons through spring and summer. Ivy bees are the last, feeding on ivy flowers into October.
When is your kit most needed?
You are most likely to find a tired bee from May to August. Long, hot days drain a bee’s energy, and flowers can be far apart in towns. Carry a bee rescue kit through these months and you are ready. Here is what to do when you find a tired bee.
A tip for the new season
Check your kit at the start of spring. See when to refresh your kit and top up before the season. To bring more bees to your garden, plant bee-friendly plants for UK gardens.