For best yields, yes.  Although cantaloupes produce some perfect flowers (those that contain male and female parts), which can set fruit without pollen from a male flower, an adequate supply of bees during bloom will insure an abundant cantaloupe harvest. Most problems with fruit set in cantaloupes are caused by a lack of pollinating insects during the blooming period. Bees are not the only pollinating insects. Be careful using insecticides, you may have beautiful plants but NO HARVEST. Read insecticide labels carefully, know when pollinating insects are active and time spraying accordingly. Other than insecticides the guardians of the garden are birds, lizards, toads and insects (exp. wasp).

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