Honeybees & Beekeeping in Chicago
Our beekeeping neighbors have asked us to help get the facts out about honeybees. Chicago Beekeepers learned recently that in deference to the public’s fear of bees the Illinois Department of Agriculture is looking to rescind the city’s current beekeeping ordinance.
“Wasps are much more likely to sting you than a honey bee is,” said Barbara Ryan, a Chicago beekeeper. “People should know that beekeepers are an organized group who have the safety of their neighbors in mind, and that there’s nothing to fear.”
For a bit more information about honeybees and beekeeping in Chicago, see:
“The Rise of Rooftop Bees” - Chicago Tonight video
excerpt:
“It was a vague curiosity that led the executive chef at the Marriot on the Magnificent Mile to ask his boss to allow bees on the hotel’s roof. That was four years ago.
Today, Myk Banas is in charge of three busy hives totaling 350,000 Italian five-striped honey bees. And with that comes an abundant supply of honey.”
Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bees and Apiaries Program
Beekeeping events and classes at Garfield Park Conservatory
Chicago Beekeeping Meetup Group
