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Niles Accepting Applications To Establish Beehives In Community Rain Garden


Fenced off area in the NIles Community Rain Garden on Touhy Avenue between Milwaukee and Harlem avenues where bee aviaries will be allowed. (Village of Niles photo submitted)

Niles village officials adopted a beekeeping ordinance this spring and are accepting applications from residents wishing to establish their own apiary (beehive) in a designated area within Niles Community Rain Garden on Touhy Avenue.

The beekeeping ordinance, adopted in April, allows residents approved for the two-year pilot program to establish one apiary, containing up to five colonies of live bees, within a designated area in the rain garden — similar to the way residents are allowed to maintain garden plots within Niles’ Farm of Franks community garden. Beekeeping within the rest of the village is not permitted.

“We’re proud to take yet another step toward a greener planet and ensuring a healthy ecosystem for our children, grandchildren, and beyond,” Niles Mayor George Alpogianis said. “This is a great example of the positive impact that local government can make on the world, starting right here in our community.”

The mayor said there should not be concern about any danger from honeybees, saying they are docile, only sting if they feel threatened, and know that the use of their sting will end their lives.    

“Wasps will sting you over and over again for no reason. They’re the aggressive ones,” Alpogianis said. “On the other hand, honey bees — such as the ones that would inhabit these hives — have no interest in picking a fight. They know they can’t survive if they sting you.”

“According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, domestic honeybees are important in society because they play a significant role in the pollination of flowering plants,” a village statement read. “These plants produce the food that fuels humankind. Many wild honeybees have been eliminated due to disease and pests; therefore, there is an increased demand for the use of managed honeybees to pollinate plants. Niles joins numerous other communities in the area that already allow for beekeeping through local regulations in order to ensure that honeybee colonies in these municipalities are healthy.”

Residents who are interested in establishing an apiary at the rain garden must submit an application to the Niles Community Development Department at Village Hall (1000 Civic Center Drive). Requirements with the submittal include a site plan of the proposed location, certificate or documentation of completion of a beekeeping course, and a copy of registration with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. State law requires beekeepers register their hives with the agriculture department. 

Questions about beekeeping requirements may be directed to the Niles police animal control officer at 847-588-6508.

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