Hello!

The Spring 2026 season is just around the corner, but we still have a few critical weeks of winter left. With the current fluctuating cold temperatures it will be important to check the bees food reserves when we have a break in the weather. Make sure that the bees don’t starve before spring blooms arrive and the best way to do that is to take a quick look at the top hive box and see if the bees are clustered there. Pick a sunny day to do this and don’t pull any frames and just observe the bees at the top / between the frames. If you find bees up at the tops of the frames it could be an indication they have run out of honey (or possibly positioned themselves such that that they cannot get to the honey below or to the sides of the cluster). In this situation it would be a good idea to place some winter food within their reach and then check back on it in a week to see if they are eating it. If they are in fact eating it then give them more before it runs out.

WINTER FOOD OPTIONS – less than 4% protein content, does not encourage brood rearing

Raw Fondant Patties, 1 pound @ $3

Wood shim for providing a gap to insert the feed patties – various options are available

https://meyerbees.com/?s=patty

SPRING POLLEN / PROTEIN FOOD OPTIONS – higher protein content with 15% or more to encourage brood rearing, keep feeding protein once you start brood rearing until natural pollen is available

UltraBee Protein Patties, 18% protein, 1 pound @ $4

UltraBee Protein Patties Plus with real Pollen, 18% protein, 1 pound @ $5

Strong Microbials BeeBites, 15% protein with Spirulina and more – does not attract hive beetles, 1 pound @ $7

UltraBee raw pollen protein substitute powder - various sizes available

https://meyerbees.com/product-category/bee-feeders-food/

If you have already placed an order for bees – Thank You! For those expanding apiary operations or replacing colonies and have yet to place an order we have 2026 packages, nucs and mated queens available with multiple races to choose from. See the link below or the attached PDF order form that you can mail back to us with a check or drop off at the Minooka showroom ->

https://meyerbees.com/product-category/honeybee-packages-nucs-queens/

BEE PACKAGES – no price increases for 2026! Pickups every week mid-March through to the end of May, VSH = Varroa Sensitive Hygiene available for most races

3 lb package VSH Italians @ $ 135

3 lb package VSH Carniolan @ $ 145

3 lb package VSH Russian @ $ 145

3 lb package Saskatraz @ $ 165

Other options are available including Randy Oliver Golden West, Caucasian, Cordovan and more !

Queen marking is an option available on all packages

NUCS - available early April (depending on weather) throughout the season until October

5 frame Italian with marked queen @ $ 195

5 frame Carniolan with marked queen @ $ 205

5 frame Russian with marked queen @ $ 205

5 frame Saskatraz with marked queen @ $ 215

5 frame Overwintered local mutt marked queen @ $ 240

Other options are available including Randy Oliver Golden West and more !

MATED QUEENS - available starting mid-March through to October

Marked VSH Italian queen @ $35

Marked VSH Carniolan queen @ $40

Marked Russian queen @ $40

Marked Saskatraz queen @ $45 (available starting mid April)

Randy Oliver Golden West queen @ $47 (available starting mid April)

Marked local Meyer Bees mutt queen @ $35 (available starting around mid May)

Vaccinated queens inoculated for American Foul Brood (AFB) are also available this year!

SOLITARY BEES – Mason Bees and Leafcutter Bees are available late February until June

https://meyerbees.com/product-category/mason-bees-leafcutter-bees-solitary/

BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES – visit our beekeeping supply showroom and warehouse where we carry everything from unassembled woodenware to fully assembled and painted pieces, protective clothing, feed items, treatments, tools, bottling supplies, manual and electric extractors, bottling tanks and much more – just call or email. We are stocked for the 2026 season and you can walk home with products in hand!

https://meyerbees.com/shop/

HIVE EQUIPMENT WAX DIPPING DAYS – live dipping days are Feb 21^st and Mar 7^th. Skip painting and instead wax dip your wooden equipment with HiveGuard^TM which is a proven blend of paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax and a special additive for enhanced performance. Up to 25 year durability on dipped equipment. Can be applied to new, used and already painted equipment. Wax formulation is 100% food safe and complies with FDA regulations. Popular in Canada, Australia and now in the USA.

https://meyerbees.com/product/wax-dipping-bee-boxes/

If you have any questions send us an email or call 815-521-9116. The Minooka IL showroom and warehouse are open 10 am to 4 pm, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat or by appointment outside these times. If you have ordered parts with your bee purchase we will have your parts order available for pickup with your bees. We ship items out for delivery on a daily basis for an additional S/H fee if needed.

Thanks,

Dave & Cathy

Dave & Cathy Meyer
phone: 815-521-9116
fax: 815-521-9118
Meyer Bees
2021 Holt Road
Minooka IL 60447
https://meyerbees.com

Social media sites are in the works – please follow us!