Knowledgebase

MIssing bumblebees? #938586

Asked July 08, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT

It seems to me that by this time in the summer my bee balm and cone flowers are buzzing with bumble bees. I've seen only one so far. What do you think?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing. 
It is clear that bumble bee populations are in decline globally but this is hard to measure in MN because we have different numbers of volunteer spotters and they are unevenly located (more in the city, fewer in rural areas). https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/pages/minnesota-highlights-2025~c30d964e9e7f44a3b330940ad4c6b3cb

It is possible that you are seeing a decline from habitat loss, spraying of "weeds" that pollinators feed on, and on gardening attention to summer blooms May-August at the expense of blooms in March to May. 

There is a great deal of information to help you encourage bees. 
https://www.pollinator.org/bfg
https://arb.umn.edu/tashjian-bee-center
https://beelab.umn.edu/pollinator-garden

I wish that I could answer your question more accurately.
 
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County, (I am a volunteer human being: not a bot, not AI). I'm an avid gardener but not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I will do much better if you also send a photograph. I like follow-up questions.  The University' garden soil tests are excellent.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional  A Directory of ISA certified arborists is at https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com/  The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum  Ask a Master Gardener is a public service of the University of MInnesota's Extension Division.  Please donate if we make you happy.  https://give.umn.edu/gardener Replied July 08, 2026, 5:13 PM EDT

Loading ...