With honeybees disappearing at alarming rates, it is now considered normal for beekeepers to lose up to 30 percent of their hives each year. Some beekeepers can even lose from 50 to 70 percent in a winter,
according to Illinois beekeeper Stu Jacobson. Part of the problem is that most honeybees are reared in California and the South, where they are bred for their ability to produce honey but generally not to withstand diseases and the harsh winters customary in many of the places where they are shipped. This video was produced in 2015 and knowledge about the Varroa mite has expanded. Some of the information stated in this video has been superseded since then.
If you are concerned about killing your queen or have too many hives to spend time looking for her consider using CO2 gas for speed and safety.
At the 2012 NCR-SARE Farmers Forum Stu Jacobson presents, “Increasing Production of Locally-Adapted Disease and Mite Resistant Honey Bees”
We need bees that are more resistant to varroa mites and diseases that are causing increasing colony losses.
Sunbelt queens and bees that are not well adapted to Illinois conditions are more likely to suffer major winter losses.
Queens ordered from distant states are often stressed during shipping, resulting in reduced rates of acceptance and survival.
In the past decade Illinois beekeepers have experienced problems with out of state packages
Mishandled queens that survive shipping can experience heat stress which has a direct negative effect on drone seman.
Illinois raised queens won’t bring in new diseases nor will they suffer long distance shipping stress.
In the past decade Illinois beekeepers have experienced problems with out of state packages
Illinois queens and nucs have greater survival potential, because they are better adapted to our climate conditions and our biological conditions-including disease organisms.
The queens raised by Illinois Queen Initiative producers have greater survivability and adaptability to local conditions for Illinois beekeepers.
By accessing this web site, you are agreeing to be bound by these
web site Terms and Conditions of Use, all applicable laws and regulations,
and agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local
laws. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from
using or accessing this site. The materials contained in this web site are
protected by applicable copyright and trade mark law.
In no event shall Illinois Queen Initiative or its suppliers be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of data or profit, or due to business interruption,) arising out of the use or inability to use the materials on Illinois Queen Initiative’s Internet site, even if Illinois Queen Initiative or a Illinois Queen Initiative authorized representative has been notified orally or in writing of the possibility of such damage. Because some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties, or limitations of liability for consequential or incidental damages, these limitations may not apply to you.
The materials appearing on Illinois Queen Initiative’s web site could include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. Illinois Queen Initiative does not warrant that any of the materials on its web site are accurate, complete, or current. Illinois Queen Initiative may make changes to the materials contained on its web site at any time without notice. Illinois Queen Initiative does not, however, make any commitment to update the materials.
Illinois Queen Initiative has not reviewed all of the sites linked to its Internet web site and is not responsible for the contents of any such linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Illinois Queen Initiative of the site. Use of any such linked web site is at the user’s own risk.
Illinois Queen Initiative may revise these terms of use for its web site at any time without notice. By using this web site you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these Terms and Conditions of Use.
Any claim relating to Illinois Queen Initiative’s web site shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
General Terms and Conditions applicable to Use of a Web Site.
The IQI will pursue these goals through the following activities:
To produce queens and bees that are more disease and mite resistant and have greater survival and productivity characteristics under Illinois conditions. By producing them locally they are better adapted to each area in the state.
We seek to do this through educational programs, cooperative exchange of breeding stock, member exchange of ideas and methods of testing stock, cooperative purchase of supplies, and promotion of Illinois-produced queens and bees to our state’s beekeepers.
Here are our constitution and by-laws to support the mission
Get updates on special events and receive reduced attendance fees for workshops and open house events as part of your annual membership.