CIBA MEMBERS

Beekeepers November Meeting Reminder - Tomorrow night

2025-11-16T13:04:42Z

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CIBA November 17th Open Meeting

Time and Location: 6:30 PM, Nature Center, Holliday Park,

6363 Spring Mill Rd., 46260

(See below regarding Zoom Option)

Our Principle Program:

Cooperative Urban Beekeeping

Timmothy and Nicole Lindsey Jackson

Master-Beekeepers and Co-Directors of Detroit Hives

Detroit Hives is a non-profit that turns vacant lots into apiaries.

They have successfully partnered with several organizations in their are

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Other Meeting Highlights and Information:

Season-specific considerations (Some commentary below):

Raffle: Always 3 Winners

“10 Questions” Beekeeping Quiz

Refreshments by Kerry Werst

AND.. Of course.. Bring Your Questions!

November-Decembeer: Seasonal Food for Beekeeper’s Thoughts:
Keep and Eye on Colony Strength and Honey Reserves:

Strength is IMPORTANT: - A large cluster generates more heat
Weak colonies should probably be combined. - Survivability in Numbers

If not yet done, address the following:

Compact hive volume as much as possible
Use a mouse guard,
Reduce entrance sizes to less than 2 square-inches.

Honey Reserves - Honey Stores for Winter:

Bees are now consuming more reserves than they are bringing in.
Locate honey-frames above the cluster

It is OK to keep feeding as long as bees will take syrup

Foraging is Extremely Limited;

Nectar Flow is near non-existent.
Some pollen is still available. .

FEED INSIDE:

Use a 2:1 syrup ratio (Sugar:Water), or stronger.
EXTREME Caution using raw honey or essential oils
Keep syrup available constantly (24/7)

Brood Formation Comments:

Expect to see.. No Brood formation
Queens can be difficult to spot. - (Don’t panic if you can’t find her)

Mite Treatments? - (Best if treatments have been given earlier)

Options? - (One beekeeper’s opinion).
Extended release methods: Apivar or Oxalic Acid (OA) strips
OA Vapor.. Requires at least 3 treatments at 5-7 day intervals
Remember. First pull/harvest any honey for consumption
Too late for Formic Pro.. Temperatures are too low.

Candy/Sugar Boards: When to add

Add “around Thanksgiving” - Now is OK
Check every 3-4 Weeks. (Mark your Calendar)

Probably will not see any consumption until January or February, perhaps none at all
If Sugar is being consumed.. ADD More

Lay piece of paper in an empty area, plop on the fondant (lightly dampened sugar).

Forgot a candy board? -

Lay paper directly over frames.
Apply a thin layer of lightly dampened fondant
Keep an eye on it, every 1-2 weeks

Other things to Think About - Particularly for NEXT YEAR

Consider putting out a pollen feeder in early spring
Early spring is a critical time.
Clean and store old frames for spring use.

Remember the Best defense is ALWAYS a STRONG Colony

Meeting Zoom Link ?
We will do our best.. No Promises
Visit our Facebook page for Link
https://www.facebook.com/indyurbanbeekeepers

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Beekeeping Meeting Reminder: Monday, October 20th

2025-10-19T11:50:37Z

CIBA October 20th Open Meeting

🍂 🍁 😃 Late-Fall Beekeeping 😃 🍁 🍂

Time and Location: 6:30 PM, Nature Center, Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., 46260

(See below regarding Zoom Option)

Our Principle Program:

👌 Favorite Beekeeping Equipment and Tricks 👍

Members are Encouraged to Bring and Demonstrate Some

Some of Their Favorite, Most Useful, Equipment.

Other Meeting Highlights and Information:

Season-specific considerations (Some commentary below):
Raffle: Always 3 Winners 🙏🏽
“10 Questions” Beekeeping Quiz 😃
Refreshments by Kerry Wurst 🎉

AND.. Of course.. Bring Your Questions! 👌🤔😃

October-November: Seasonal Food for Beekeeper’s Thoughts:

Keep and Eye on Colony Strength and Honey Reserves:

Strength is MPORTANT: - A large cluster generates more heat

Ideally 25,000 Healthy Fat Bees.

“Fat Bees” have many Fat Bodies with enriched nutrient stores

Should a weak colony be combined with another colony?

Honey Reserves - Honey Stores for Winter:

Colonies require 60+ pounds of honey going into winter.
Pollen stores are equally important

Robbing is Still a Concern.

Reduce entrance sizes to less than 2 square-inches. (Entrance reducer small opening)
Compact hive volume as much as possible
Address other hive openings. (Damaged boxes, Excessive top cover access)
Once robbing begins, it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP

Block all entrances until sundown (Do maintain ventilation)
Seek advise

Foraging Limitations: Nectar Flow is now VERY VERY low.

Flowering has declined considerably, AND it has been very dry (Less Nectar)

Remember: Nectar sources are a fraction spring nectar flow.
Consider your surroundings (1+ mile-radius).. Open fields are best

Feeding: It is OK to keep feeding, but it will be decreasingly effective

As temperatures cool it is more difficult for bees to convert sugar syrup into hone.

FEED INSIDE:

Use a 2:1 syrup ratio (Sugar:Water), or stronger.
EXTREME Caution using raw honey or essential oils
Keep syrup available constantly (24/7) (Every few days may do more harm than good)

Open feeding may be an option.. BUT, much less efficient, more expensive

Combine Weak colonies

Larger populations and more stores have a much better chance of survival

Brood Formation Comments:

Expect to see.. No Brood formation
Queens can be difficult to spot. - (Don’t panic if you can’t find her)

Mite Treatments? - (Best if treatments have been given earlier)

Options? - (One beekeeper’s opinion. - Seek advise from others as well)

Extended release methods: Apivar or Oxalic Acid (OA) strips
OA Vapor.. Requires at least 3 treatments at 5-7 day intervals
Remember. First pull/harvest any honey for consumption
Too late for Formic Pro.. Temperatures are too low.

Other things to Think About - Particularly for NEXT YEAR

ALWAYS: Best defense is a STRONG Colony
Watch for hive beetles, avoid excessive empty supers.
Move brood area to bottom box, honey stores ABOVE brood area.
Prepare your sugar/candy board. (Add it late November)
Other concerns? - Contact Your Mentor

Meeting Zoom Link ?

We will do our best.. No Promises

Visit our Facebook page for Link

https://www.facebook.com/indyurbanbeekeepers

Upcoming Beekeeping Activities - Mark Your Calendars NOW

CORE Planning Meeting: Open to Everyone

Monday, October 27th. COhatch in Broad Ripple, 6151 Central Ave.

November Open Meeting:

Monday, November 17th - Nature Center

Winter Cluster Social Event. - MUST Preregister

Monday, December 8th - Nature Center

No December open Meeting
January 20th, a TUESDAY. First Open Meeting of 2026 🎉 😃 😃 🎉
February 17th, a TUESDAY, Open Meeting, Nature Center
February 28th, Indiana Bee School,

Conducted by The Beekeepers of Indiana
a Saturday all day event. MUST Pre

March 16th, a MONDAY, Open Meeting, Nature Center

Back to our usual 3rd Monday of Month for the rest of the year

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Beekeepers Meeting Monday Evening Oct. 20

2025-10-16T19:37:56Z

CIBA October 20th Open Meeting

🍂 🍁 😃 Late-Fall Beekeeping 😃 🍁 🍂

Time and Location: 6:30 PM, Nature Center, Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., 46260

(See below regarding Zoom Option)

Our Principle Program:

👌 Favorite Beekeeping Equipment and Tricks 👍

Members are Encouraged to Bring and Demonstrate Some

Some of Their Favorite, Most Useful, Equipment.

Other Meeting Highlights and Information:

Season-specific considerations (Some commentary below):
Raffle: Always 3 Winners 🙏🏽
“10 Questions” Beekeeping Quiz 😃
Refreshments by Kerry Wurst 🎉

AND.. Of course.. Bring Your Questions! 👌🤔😃

October-November: Seasonal Food for Beekeeper’s Thoughts:

Keep and Eye on Colony Strength and Honey Reserves:

Strength is MPORTANT: - A large cluster generates more heat

Ideally 25,000 Healthy Fat Bees.

“Fat Bees” have many Fat Bodies with enriched nutrient stores

Should a weak colony be combined with another colony?

Honey Reserves - Honey Stores for Winter:

Colonies require 60+ pounds of honey going into winter.
Pollen stores are equally important

Robbing is Still a Concern.

Reduce entrance sizes to less than 2 square-inches. (Entrance reducer small opening)
Compact hive volume as much as possible
Address other hive openings. (Damaged boxes, Excessive top cover access)
Once robbing begins, it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP

Block all entrances until sundown (Do maintain ventilation)
Seek advise

Foraging Limitations: Nectar Flow is now VERY VERY low.

Flowering has declined considerably, AND it has been very dry (Less Nectar)

Remember: Nectar sources are a fraction spring nectar flow.
Consider your surroundings (1+ mile-radius).. Open fields are best

Feeding: It is OK to keep feeding, but it will be decreasingly effective

As temperatures cool it is more difficult for bees to convert sugar syrup into hone.

FEED INSIDE:

Use a 2:1 syrup ratio (Sugar:Water), or stronger.
EXTREME Caution using raw honey or essential oils
Keep syrup available constantly (24/7) (Every few days may do more harm than good)

Open feeding may be an option.. BUT, much less efficient, more expensive

Combine Weak colonies

Larger populations and more stores have a much better chance of survival

Brood Formation Comments:

Expect to see.. No Brood formation
Queens can be difficult to spot. - (Don’t panic if you can’t find her)

Mite Treatments? - (Best if treatments have been given earlier)

Options? - (One beekeeper’s opinion. - Seek advise from others as well)

Extended release methods: Apivar or Oxalic Acid (OA) strips
OA Vapor.. Requires at least 3 treatments at 5-7 day intervals
Remember. First pull/harvest any honey for consumption
Too late for Formic Pro.. Temperatures are too low.

Other things to Think About - Particularly for NEXT YEAR

ALWAYS: Best defense is a STRONG Colony
Watch for hive beetles, avoid excessive empty supers.
Move brood area to bottom box, honey stores ABOVE brood area.
Prepare your sugar/candy board. (Add it late November)
Other concerns? - Contact Your Mentor

Meeting Zoom Link ?

We will do our best.. No Promises

Visit our Facebook page for Link

https://www.facebook.com/indyurbanbeekeepers

Upcoming Beekeeping Activities - Mark Your Calendars NOW

CORE Planning Meeting: Open to Everyone

Monday, October 27th. COhatch in Broad Ripple, 6151 Central Ave.

November Open Meeting:

Monday, November 17th - Nature Center

Winter Cluster Social Event. - MUST Preregister

Monday, December 8th - Nature Center

No December open Meeting
January 20th, a TUESDAY. First Open Meeting of 2026 🎉 😃 😃 🎉
February 17th, a TUESDAY, Open Meeting, Nature Center
February 28th, Indiana Bee School,

Conducted by The Beekeepers of Indiana
a Saturday all day event. MUST Pre

March 16th, a MONDAY, Open Meeting, Nature Center

Back to our usual 3rd Monday of Month for the rest of the year

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Tickets are Selling Fast For CIBA’s Holiday Winter Cluster 2025

2025-10-05T14:00:33Z

Hello Beekeepers,

Don’t miss out on this year’s Central Indiana Beekeepers Association Holiday Winter Cluster taking place at Holliday Park Nature Center on December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Tickets are selling fast!

The evening begins with a Potluck Dinner. CIBA will provide the main course and you are invited to bring along your favorite holiday side dish to share.

The evening’s main speaker will feature Frederick Dunn, a talented Cornell University Certified Master Beekeeper. He is well known through his YouTube channel, “Frederick Dunn”, and his podcast, “The Way To Bee”. He has been keeping bees since 2006 and provides honeybee education to beekeepers of all skill levels, with a focus on small scale, backyard beekeeping.

Everyone will automatically be entered in the free raffle with a chance to win exciting prizes.

In addition you will receive a free Holiday Scratch-Off Card for a chance to win a Glass Holiday Beekeeping Ornament.

Those who are competitive can test their knowledge with the Dinner Table Honeybee Trivia Game.

For an extra dose of fun, participate in the honey dessert competition, where you can vie for the title of the Best Honey Dessert Competition Recipe. Please ensure that all entries include honey, and remember to bring a copy of your recipe. The winner receives the People's Choice Award Trophy presented by this year’s Indiana Honey Queen and Princess.

Click this Eventbrite link or scan the QR code below for more information and to purchase tickets. Cost for tickets are $10 each ($12.51 total).

Last year’s Holiday Winter Cluster sold out early so don’t miss out on this special event to connect with the local beekeeping community and spread some holiday cheer. Mark your calendars and get ready to bee-lieve in the magic of the season!

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Reminder: Sugar Board Social THIS Saturday

2025-09-29T19:56:09Z

From: mailto: 😃 Reminder for Saturday’s Sugar Board Social 😃

( Four empty boards available) ( $5 each, donation to CIBA Email Drphysio@mac com if interested )

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Central Indiana Beekeepers Association Sugar Board Social Saturday, October 4th

2025-09-27T09:47:28Z

Central Indiana Beekeepers Association Sugar Board Social is Saturday, October 4 beginning at 9:30AM at Holliday Park Nature Center. Join us for a day of networking and learning, meet fellow bee enthusiasts, contribute to the silent auction, enjoy a pitch-in lunch and make your sugar board for this year’s winter feeding.

Dr. Brock Harpur, Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at Purdue University is the keynote speaker.

Whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone interested in the world of bees. Don't miss out on this buzz-worthy gathering!

For more information click the Eventbrite link.

You can either register in advance for this free event or just show up at the Holliday Park Nature Center at 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 4th.

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Sugar Board Social and Auction - Oct 4th 😃 Reminder

2025-09-22T16:43:06Z

From: mailto: Reminder: Saturday October 4th - Sugar Board Social Great Speaker! Dr Brock Harpur, Purdue University Pitch-In lunch Mmmmmm 😃 Silent Auction… Deals 👍 Deals 😃 Deals 👌 Make Sugar Boards for Your Bees

See Details Below!

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😀 October 4th Sugar Board Social Reminder 😀

2025-09-22T16:19:31Z

From: mailto: FUN - Food - Education - FUN CIBA’s Annual Sugar Board Social (Details below)

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Beekeepers: Reminder for Monday Evening's Meeting

2025-09-14T12:33:20Z

CIBA Sept. 15th Open Meeting

🍂 🍁 👌 Fall Beekeeping & Winterizing Hives 👌 🍁 🍂

Experienced members will offer insights and answer questions.

Other Meeting Highlights and Other Information:

Native Plants Available for Fall Planting (See Separate Email For Details)
Raffle: Always 3 Winners 🙏🏽
“10 Questions” Beekeeping Quiz 😃
Refreshments by "The" Kerry Werst 🎉
As Always! - Your Questions
Also: See Below for

Important Upcoming Beekeeping Activities Dates
Seasonal Thoughts for September-October

Meeting Zoom Link ?

We will do our best.. No Promises

Visit our Facebook page for Link

https://www.facebook.com/indyurbanbeekeepers

Important Information on Upcoming CIBA Activities

Annual Sugar Board Social and Silent Auction: Saturday, October 4th (Save the Date 😃)
Beekeepers of Indiana Fall Conference: Evening Oct 17th & Saturday Oct 18th

Keynote Speaker: Kent Williams is a Kentucky-based EAS Certified Master beekeeper who has been in beekeeping industry for 30+ years
(Here in Indy this year! 🎉 😃)

Our Next CIBA Open Meeting. (Monday, Oct. 20th
CIBA’s “Winter Cluster” Social Event (Monday, December 8th, watch for details)

September-October: Seasonal Food-for-Beekeeper’s-Thoughts:

Assess Colony Strength and Honey Reserves NOW:

Strength:

Ideally 25,000 Healthy Fat Bees, end of September.
“Fat Bees” have many Fat Bodies with enriched nutrient stores
Start on this NOW… (Starting end September is probably too late)

Stores:

Colonies require 60+ pounds of honey going into winter.
Pollen stores are equally important

Robbing Concerns: Strong colonies WILL attack weaker colonies. - (A weak colony can be wiped out in an afternoon)

Reduce entrance sizes to less than 2 square-inches. (Entrance reducer small opening)
Compact hive volume as much as possible
Address other hive openings. (Damaged boxes, Excessive top cover access)
Once robbing begins, it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP

Block all entrances until sundown (Do maintain ventilation)
Seek advise

Foraging Limitations: Nectar Flow is now VERY low.

Sources: Clover, cone flowers, milkweed, sunflowers, asters, Joe-Pye weed, and some others.
Remember: In most areas these are minimal sources compared to Spring Nectar Flow.

This will be highly variable depending on your location.

Recall Bees forage for a mile or more radius; greater distances mean less efficient foraging.

Feeding may be required: Start NOW if reserves are low. (Later you start, the less effective it is)

FEED INSIDE:

Use a 2:1 syrup ratio (Sugar:Water), or stronger.
EXTREME Caution using raw honey or essential oils
Keep syrup available constantly (24/7) (Every few days may do more harm than good)

Open feeding is an option… BUT… There are other considerations.. Seek advise

Combine Weak colonies

Larger populations and more stores have a much better chance of survival

Brood Formation Comments:

Expect to see.. No Brood formation
Queens can be difficult to spot. - (Don’t panic if you can’t find her)

Mite Treatments? - (Best if treatments have been given earlier)

Options? - (One beekeeper’s opinion. - Seek advise from others as well)

Extended release methods: Apivar or Oxalic Acid (OA) strips
OA Vapor.. Requires at least 3 treatments at 5-7 day intervals
Remember. First pull/harvest any honey for consumption
Too late for Formic Pro.. Temperatures are too low.

Other things to Think About:

ALWAYS: Best defense is a STRONG Colony
Watch for hive beetles, avoid excessive empty supers.
Move brood area to bottom box, honey stores ABOVE brood area.
Prepare your sugar/candy board. (Add it late November)
Other concerns? - Contact Your Mentor

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FYI: Native Plants at CIBA Meeting

2025-09-14T12:32:44Z

From: mailto: Native Plants for Fall Planting (Available This Monday Evening)

We are pleased to inform you that the following perennial native plants will be available tomorrow evening, Sept 15th (Hot links for plant info) Black Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia speciosa https://www gardenia net/plant/rudbeckia-fulgida-var-speciosa False Indigo - Baptisia australis https://www wildflower org/plants/result php?id_plant=BAAU Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea https://www wildflower org/plants/result php?id_plant=ECPU Bee Balm - Monarda fitulosa https://www wildflower org/plants/result php?id_plant=mofi

Added Information About 30 plants of each Plants are $2 each - Proceeds to to CIBA Programs First come - First Served 😃

See Below for added information from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc https://www kibi org/

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CIBA Mosquito Spraying Sign Available

2025-09-12T14:52:13Z

We had a number of requests to reorder more of the stop mosquito spraying signs- so we ordered more! They will be available at the CIBA meeting Monday Sept 15^th at Holliday Park for $8.00

A Gentle Reminder: This sign gets the message out by stimulating curiosity not shame. If you want a sign like this for your yard, contact beekeeper Greg Peterson at 317- 445-7492 to arrange for pickup in the Meridian Kessler area of Indianapolis. Signs are 24 x 18”, two-sided, and come with a stand. I am selling them at cost for $8 each

These Signs will also be available at the CIBA Meeting Monday the 15th at Holiday Park, See you there.

Greg & Susan Peterson

5621 N. Pennsylvania St.

Indianapolis, In 46220

317-251-2160

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