Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

Latest Episodes:

Episode 371: Storm Claudia Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Storm Claudia hits and it feels like the rain will never stop. I’ve been having a go at building a hive and still haven’t been able to sort out my colony that’s been attacked by wasps. Here’s this week’s beekeeping updates.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 371 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 370: Honeybee Pests and Diseases - Part 3 Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Having discussed the more serious pests and diseases that can affect our colonies, it’s time to finish off our Varroa chat and conclude with some of the less problematic issues that we sometimes encounter.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 370 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 369: Pests and Diseases - Part 3 Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: With Autumn slipping away and Winter on the horizon my thoughts continue to be filled with helping our colonies survive to next Spring. Feeding is complete, Autumn treatments removed, but the challenge of the Varroa mite goes on. With that in mind, here’s part two of pests and diseases.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 369 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 368: Pests and Diseases - Part 1 Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: After sharing my recent experiences with Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus I’ve had a number of requests to discuss, more widely, honeybee diseases. What to look out for and how they impact our honeybees. So, let’s kick off with possibly the nastiest ones of them all, the foul brood diseases!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 368 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

The National Bee Unit can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 367: Destruction of a Honeybee Colony Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s a bit of a somber mood in the office today as it’s been a rather sad end to the week. I’ve carried out the colony destruction on the hive with a heavy infection of CBPV and in today’s podcast I’ll explain the process and what happens next.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 367 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

The National Bee Unit can be found HERE

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 366: Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: After a year of seeing colonies relatively disease and pest free, our final checks of the season have revealed one colony with visible signs of Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus or CBPV as we abbreviate it. It’s not great but could become a lot worse, listen in to hear why.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 366 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

The National Bee Unit can be found HERE

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 365: Treatment Removal and More Microscopy Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s been a busy week removing treatments from all of our hives now that we’ve reached the end of that particular phase of the season and I was delighted to see so many really strong colonies and nucs. It appears it was just in time as we feel the full force of Storm Amy.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 365 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

The National Bee Unit can be found HERE

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 364: Apiary Slowdown and Microscopes Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: As we fast approach the end of September, feeding for some hives continues but others are weighty enough. With everything slowing down in the apiaries, my thoughts have turned to some honeybee microscopy and today I’ll kick off the season with the microscopes I use.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 364 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

The National Bee Unit can be found HERE

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 363: Under Supering for Winter Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: With treatments almost ready to come out of our hives, it’s time for me to start under supering, this technique, although not absolutely necessary and sometimes called Nadiring, is a simple and effective way to help your bees through Winter.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 363 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

The Nation Bee Unit can be found HERE

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

Episode 362: Asian Hornet Discussion Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: I'm joined by beekeeper Chris Farrell who is currently battling the Asian Hornet alongside other beekeepers in Kent here in the UK.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 362 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

The Nation Bee Unit can be found HERE

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

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

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show

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