Beekeepers November Meeting Reminder - Tomorrow night

 
From: "CIBA MEMBERS" <donotreply@PROTECTED>
Date: November 16th 2025


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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 

by

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

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