Welcome to Illinois Valley Beekeepers Association

is a support group for people interested in getting started keeping bees.

Next meeting is Friday April 12th, 2019

7:00 PM to 9:00PM

1689 N. 31st Road, Ottawa, IL 61350

(Across from Farm & Fleet)

Lower Level of Ottawa Extension 

Office

Next Meeting Bill from Meyer Bees will be giving a presentation

on checking for mites and showing the different ways and types

of treatments.  Bill is a Manlake dealer and can get you what you need.

We are also going to have a demonstration on making a split and how to know

when to make a split.  We are also going to have a Demo on 

how to make a swarm catcher.

BEE THERE OR BEE SQUARE! 

We would like to Thank everyone who came to the meeting!  We would like to thank those who bring the yummy treats to the meetings.

We had a great March meeting - we talked about what we should be doing this month with the bees.  You need to check your bees and see if they need any extra food.  A lot of hives die in March because they run out of food and starve.  It is to early to feed sugar water yet so you can feed pollen patty's or sugar to get them through to spring.

As soon as the temperatures are above 50 degrees you can start feeding the sugar water until there is enough pollen coming in that they do not need it.  Also as soon as it is at least 65 degrees you can go into the hive and look for your queen and brood - also you will need to keep up with your mite checks as soon as it gets warmer out.

Meyer Bees is Donating a Package of bees to be raffled off at the April Meeting.  You will receive a certificate for the package that will be arriving in a few weeks.  This will allow you to get your site prepared and purchase the necessary equipment to be set up for when they arrive. 

SUPPORT GROUP FOR BEGINNER BEEKEEPERS OR HELP GETTING STARTED!

We have monthly meetings to help the beginner or anyone who has questions.   

We welcome anyone who would like to come and talk at any of our meetings.  We are always looking for speakers about beekeeping, observation hives, wax making, honey extracting, pretty much anything bees!

Total membership Fees this year will be $20.00 - $10.00 for the IVBA Club and $10.00 to Join the ISBA Club.  The new year started in January.

We are rejoining the ISBA this will give us more information on what is happening down state and they have a lot of good information about new things with bees.