Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

Latest Episodes:

Episode 251: New Queen Rearing Methods Apr 16, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: With Spring inspections almost upon us it's a good time to think about how we might replace old queens and that means queen rearing, stay tuned, as I have a couple of new options to try.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 251 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.
The Norwich and District Beekeepers Association

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

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Episode 250: Can I Inspect My Bees Yet? Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Another week and a change in the weather. Warmer conditions and a chance for our bees to break cluster, get out and forage, and with a little luck, begin to build their brood nest area. Hold tight though, it might still be too soon to inspect. Stay tuned for my reasons why.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 250 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
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Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

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Episode 249: Snow, Sun and Patience Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It's been a cold week, a very cold week in some spots. We got off lightly here in Norfolk but the snow still settled on the ground, if only for an hour or two. The forecast is slightly warmer and then back to colder conditions, time then, to hold fast, wait another couple of weeks and prepare for the new season to begin.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 249 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

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Episode 248 - Getting Ready for Spring Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: March often begins with a cold snap followed by warmer, sunnier days, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a fast start but the forecast isn't very helpful, listen in to hear why I'm ever so slightly concerned.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 248 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

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Episode 247: Happy Fifth Birthday Mar 19, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It's My Birthday! Five years ago, on February 25th I publish my very first podcast, since then we've covered all manner of topics and I've offered up tips and techniques to help you get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of your bees. Stay tuned as we head into the new beekeeping season and look forward to all that this year might throw at us.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 245 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.
The Beekeeping Show 2023
Busy Bee Cosmetics (For Beekeepers)

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
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Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

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Episode 246: Pests and Diseases - Part 2 Mar 12, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: In my last podcast I was discussing the more serious honeybee diseases AFB and EFB. This time it's the turn of the not-so-tricky pests and diseases such as Chalkbrood, Wax Moth and also possibly the biggest threat to our colonies the Varroa Mite.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 246 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.
References for today's podcast:
Mráz, P., Hýbl, M., Kopecký, M., Bohatá, A., Konopická, J., Hoštičková, I., Konvalina, P., Šipoš, J., Rost, M. and Čurn, V., 2021. The Effect of Artificial Media and Temperature on the Growth and Development of the Honey Bee Brood Pathogen Ascosphaera apis. Biology, 10(5), p.431.
Li, J., Wang, T., Evans, J.D., Rose, R., Zhao, Y., Li, Z., Li, J., Huang, S., Heerman, M., Rodríguez-García, C. and Banmeke, O., 2019. The phylogeny and pathogenesis of sacbrood virus (SBV) infection in European honey bees, Apis mellifera. Viruses, 11(1), p.61.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

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Episode 245: Pests and Diseases - Part 1 Mar 05, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: One of the biggest challenges beekeepers face each season is the identification of pests and diseases, working out how serious that problem is and then deciding what course of treatment to take. Here's part one of my summary of what to look out for.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 245 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.
National Bee Unit Bee Inspectors list - click here

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Tags: |Beekeeping Short and SweetBeekeepingStewart Spinks

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Episode 244: Nosema Checks Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: For beekeepers who are overwintering colonies, it may seem that Spring is still a long way off but there are things we can do to check the health of our bees. One of those is checking for nosema, stay tuned to hear some of my thoughts and what the results could mean for your coming season.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 244 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.
References for today's podcast:
1. Marín-García, Pablo Jesús, Yoorana Peyre, Ana Elena Ahuir-Baraja, María Magdalena Garijo, and Lola Llobat. 2022. "The Role of Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) in Honey Bee Colony Losses and Current Insights on Treatment" Veterinary Sciences 9, no. 3: 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030130
2. Grupe AC II, Quandt CA (2020) A growing pandemic: A review of Nosema parasites in globally distributed domesticated and native bees. PLoS Pathog 16(6): e1008580. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008580
Brunel Microscopes: Microscopy for Beekeepers

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Tags: |Beekeeping Short and SweetBeekeepingStewart Spinks

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Episode 243: Buying a Nucleus Colony of Honeybees Feb 19, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: In the depths of Winter thoughts turn to warmer weather and the prospect, for many, of purchasing their first nucleus colony of honeybees. Here's what to expect and what to look out for.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 243 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.
National Bee Unit Advisory Leaflets can be found HERE

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Tags: |Beekeeping Short and SweetBeekeepingStewart Spinks

Support the show

Episode 242: Pick a Hive, Any Hive! Feb 12, 2023

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: For new beekeepers, the most important decision can be which hive type to use. With so many options out there it can be quite confusing, today I give my views on some of the most popular.
Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 242 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways: