Beekeeping For Newbees®

Episode 208 – Tracking Hive Health Smarter: An Interview With the Founder of APiLOG 🐝📋

Good record keeping sits right behind your IPM strategy as one of the most important things you can do as a beekeeper. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle, a web de

Episode 207 – Listener's Choice: Bear Fences, Box Reversals, and Choosing Frames for a Split 🐝

Last week wrapped up Varroa Week, and two listeners took us up on the offer to submit topics for further elaboration. This episode honors both of them. We also have a hiv

Episode 206 – Varroa Week Wrap-Up: Norroa Explained and Is It Worth It? 🐝🛡️

In this final episode of Varroa Week, we cover Norroa, a newer treatment approach designed to disrupt mite reproduction rather than kill mites directly. We also recap the

Episode 205 – Varroa Week: Treatment Options Every Beekeeper Should Know 🐝🛡️

In this episode we continue Varroa Week by breaking down the most common mite treatment options on the market. We cover how they work, when they are used, key limitations

Episode 204 – Varroa Week Continues: How to Test Mite Levels 🐝🛡️

In this episode we continue Varroa Week by getting practical with mite testing. We cover alcohol washes, dish soap washes, sticky boards, sugar shakes, and how to build a

Episode 203 – Varroa Week Continues: How Mites Reproduce and Spread 🐝🛡️

In this episode we continue Varroa Week with a closer look at how mites reproduce inside capped brood cells and why drone brood can accelerate mite growth. We also kick t

Episode 202 – Varroa Week Begins: Your Spring Mite Plan Starts Now 🐝🛡️

In this episode we kick off Varroa Week and a new run of shorter spring episodes focused on helping you make better decisions in real time. We talk about why mite managem

Episode 201 – Catching a Swarm and What Drives the Urge 🐝

In this episode: the swarm trap finally paid off. I also discuss what I saw at the trap when the feral colony moved in, including a trophylaxis moment at the entrance tha

Episode 200 - The 5 Questions Every Hive Inspection Should Answer (Part 2 of 2) 🐝

In this episode we continue breaking down your first 30 to 60 days of hive inspections and what you should be looking for. We walk through warning signs, growth expectati

Episode 199 - The 5 Questions Every Hive Inspection Should Answer (Part 1 of 2) 🐝

Most new beekeepers open their hives too much or not nearly enough, and both create real problems. In this episode we build a simple, repeatable inspection framework arou

Episode 198 – Installing Packages and Nucs, Part 2: What I Did Wrong and What to Do Next 🐝

In this episode we pick up right where we left off and continue the install process, including a mistake I made and how to handle it if it happens to you. We also walk th

Episode 197 – Installing Packages and Nucs, Part 1: Step-by-Step Setup and Mistakes to Avoid 🐝

In this episode we walk through the process of installing package bees and what to expect on day one. We break down the differences between packages and nucs, how to prep

Episode 196 – The Bee Buzz (33): Answering Your Beekeeping Questions 🐝💡

In this episode we jump into a Bee Buzz and work through a series of listener questions from around the country. We cover a range of real-world scenarios including equipm

Episode 195 – Big Updates: Thank You, MBK Program Changes, and the New Beekeeping App 🐝📱

In this episode we take a step back from the hive and talk about some important updates. We start with a big thank you to the community and supporters who help keep every

Episode 194 – Feeding Bees: When, Why, and How to Do It Right 🐝

In this episode we walk through feeding bees during the active season and when it actually makes sense to step in and help. We cover sugar syrup, protein sources, common

Episode 193 – Frames, Foundation, and Bringing It All Together 🐝

In this episode we break down one of the most overlooked parts of beekeeping: frames and foundation. We walk through the different frame styles, foundation options, and h

Episode 192 – Choosing Your Hive Setup 🐝

In this episode we walk through how to choose and configure a Langstroth hive setup and what decisions you need to make before installing bees. We talk through box sizes,

Episode 191 – Getting Ready for Bee Season 🐝

In this episode we talk about getting ready for the upcoming bee season and the things every beekeeper should have prepared before the first inspections begin. We walk th

Episode 190 – The Bee Buzz (32): Spring Hive Questions from Beekeepers 🐝💡

This week we jump into another Bee Buzz episode and answer a new round of listener questions from around the world. We talk through several early-spring scenarios includi

Episode 189 – Swarm Traps Part 2: Catching Free Bees with Swarm Traps 🐝

Swarm trapping is one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to grow your apiary, and in this second part of the discussion we move from theory to real-world execution.