Sweet Success: A Journey into Beekeeping
ILLINOIS VALLEY BEEKEEPING CLUB
Warren Norris - President - 815-228-3330
Mike Lawyer - Vice President - 779-435-9941
Sheri Stumreiter - Treasurer - 815-503-2863
Stephanie Nelson - Secretary - 815-488-3763
We are open to the public and invite you to join us at one of our upcoming meetings. At our meetings each month we offer the opportunity to share experiences with fellow beekeepers and engage in discussion to help expand your knowledge of beekeeping.
As a paid member you have access to vote on club issues, run for a seat on the board, rent club equipment such as extractors, books and magazines from our growing library, and the chance to help us spread the word at local events.
If interested in becoming a member, come to a meeting and sign up. Cost is $20 annually with $10 of that registering you automatically with the Illinois State Beekeepers' Association. Two memberships in one!
Meetings are the 2nd Friday of the month, with the exception of July (Summer Picnic) & December,
please arrive around 6:45pm, meeting starts at 7:00pm and ends around 9:00pm.
We look forward to having you as a new member.
Meetings are held at the:
La Salle County Extension Office
1689 North 31st Road
Lower Level (basement)
Ottawa, IL 61350
Upcoming Meeting!!
FRIDAY APRIL 10th 2026
We are open to the public and invite you to join us at our upcoming meeting where we offer the opportunity to share experiences with fellow beekeepers and engage in discussion to help expand your knowledge of beekeeping.
Please arrive around 6:45pm,
meeting starts at 7:00pm
and ends around 9:00pm.
La Salle County Extension Office
1689 North 31st Road
Lower Level (basement)
Ottawa, IL 61350
*April Agenda has been posted,
To see what was discussed at past meetings go to the following link...
Now is the time to start thinking of the future!!
2026 Robert Brandner Grant
The purpose of this Grant is to provide financial assistance for one year, at the discretion of the IVBA, in the amount of $250.00, to a current student and IVBA member who has an interest in the Art and Science of Beekeeping and Honey Bees.
We are here to help make this a success for you, offering mentorship and hands on experience through the club to make your dreams a possibility.
Criteria:
- Award will be paid to the participant, or guardian in the case of a minor;
- Must be an active student and IVBA member. You can become a member at any time;
- The applicant must commit to volunteering with the Illinois Waterway, and/or, an experienced mentor, for a period of 10 hours for the given year;
- Candidates must provide letters of recommendation from at least two experienced beekeepers, preferably a mentor and another beekeeping individual familiar with the candidate’s understanding, commitment, and experience;
- Funds provided are not based on financial need;
- Applicant must provide photos of their work with the hives and their mentor, and write a 300 word essay based on their interest, experience, and goals in regard to the Art and Science of Beekeeping and Honey Bees (having said that, no experience is necessary).
Note: Must be returned to the
Illinois Valley Beekeeper’s Association
Mail or drop off location is the
University of Illinois Extension Center – LaSalle County Office
1689 N. 31st Road, Suite 2, Ottawa, IL 61350
Grant Winner will be announced on the 2nd Friday of November – of any given year - during the IVBA’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
What to be doing in your hive this Month!
April 2026
April is often considered the start of the "beekeeping new year" as the busy season officially begins. Key tasks focus on colony expansion, nutritional support, and preparing for the spring nectar flow.
- Weekly Inspections: Conduct thorough checks every 7 to 10 days on days when temperatures are above
0F with minimal wind. - Queen Performance: Verify the queen is present and laying a strong, consistent brood pattern.
- Pest Monitoring: Begin testing for Varroa mites using alcohol wash or sugar roll methods to determine if early-season treatment is needed.
- Disease Checks: Inspect frames for signs of diseases like foulbrood or nosema.
Feeding and Nutrition
- Sugar Syrup: Provide 1:1 light sugar syrup to stimulate colony growth and prevent starvation during unpredictable spring weather.
- Pollen Supplements: Continue monitoring or adding pollen patties to boost brood production until natural pollen becomes consistently available from early blooms like dandelions and maples.
- Ceasing Feed: Stop supplemental feeding for strong colonies once the main spring nectar flow begins, typically in late April, to avoid contaminating honey stores.
Expansion and Swarm Management
- Space Management: Prevent swarming by adding a second brood chamber or honey supers once about 70-80% of the current box is filled with bees.
- Reversing Brood Boxes: Consider reversing upper and lower brood chambers to provide the queen more upward space to lay, which can "trick" the bees into staying in the hive.
- Splits: Strong, overwintered colonies can be split in April if you wish to increase your hive count or proactively manage swarming.
- Swarm Traps: Set out swarm bait traps to capture wild swarms or your own bees if they decide to leave.
Administrative and Equipment Tasks
- Apiary Registration: New beekeepers must register their colonies with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
- Install New Bees: Most mail-order package bees and nucs arrive in mid-to-late April and should be installed promptly.
- Yard Maintenance: Clear weeds and grass from hive entrances to ensure clear flight paths and better ventilation.
- Cleaning: Scrape bottom boards and top bars to remove winter debris and excess wax.
Are you a new beekeeper starting your first package this month, or are you managing an overwintered colony?
Ways to Help
Become a Member
Make a Donation Towards Education
Make a Donation Towards Education
Cost is $20 annually with $10 of that registering you automatically with the Illinois State Beekeepers' Association. Two memberships in one! As a paid member you have access to vote on club issues, run for a seat on the board, rent club equipment such as extractors, books and magazines from our growing library, and the chance to help us spread the word at local events.
Make a Donation Towards Education
Make a Donation Towards Education
Make a Donation Towards Education
Your donations help us provide educational tools and classes, provides us with the opportunity to purchase equipment for our hands on Apiary and it also gives us the funding to continue our Robert Brandner Grant to help young beekeepers to continue their education.
Look Cool While Keeping Bees
Make a Donation Towards Education
Look Cool While Keeping Bees
We offer a number of items at our meetings:
Honey Bear 12oz - $9
Shirts - Vary in price
Hats - $10
Slate Coasters -
Wood Cut Designs - varies
All proceeds go back to the club, items are limited. Stop in and see a member at one of our meetings.