Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

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Latest Episodes:

Episode 411: Sugar Syrup for Honeybees Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s time to consider feeding colonies for the Autumn and Winter ahead. I do have quite a number of boxes of fondant still and I would use these but I find myself mixing up sugar syrup. Listen in to find out why and my thoughts on the type of syrup I’m using and why.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 411 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 410: Late Summer Shook Swarm Sep 20, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: The weather has calmed down somewhat, we’ve even had some rain! I’ve been adding treatments to nucs and found some very small queen right colonies, if you can call them that, and I need to decide what to do with them before the Autumn sets in.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 410 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 409: Heatwave After Heatwave Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s been another scorching week and our honeybees seem to be taking everything in their stride. Positives this week are, lots of mated queens from our own raised queen cells and I’ve also been in the honey room, it’s sweltering once more!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 409 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 408: Mated Queens and Treatments Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s been a busy week with checks on our recently emerged virgin queens, have they mated and have they started to lay eggs. Listen in to hear the latest beekeeping news from around my apiaries.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 408 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 407: Bad Beekeeping Advice Aug 30, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Bad Beekeeping Advice. I’m sure we’ve all been offered advice as we’ve progressed through our beekeeping journeys, but how do you know what advice to take and what to leave? If you take my advice, you’ll listen to today’s podcast to find out more or maybe you won’t!!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 407 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 406: Wet and Dry Supers Aug 23, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s almost the time of year when you might hear a lot of talk about supers, particularly wet or dry supers, today I’ll explain what they are and how you can store them ready for reuse next time.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 406 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Uncapping Knife as I use

Refractometer for Testing Water Content in Honey

Old Castle Farm Hives - Six Frame Dual Poly Nuc

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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 receive a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 405: Time For Honey Extraction Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Time drifts on by, and the end of the Summer nectar flow draws ever closer for me. Time for a quick apiary summary and then off to the honey room to look at this year’s extraction set up.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 405 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Uncapping Knife as I use

Refractometer for Testing Water Content in Honey

Old Castle Farm Hives - Six Frame Dual Poly Nuc

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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 receive a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 404: Go With The Flow Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Brood Breaks, The end of the nectar flow, and the first sighting of wasps in the apiaries. All mean one thing, for me, here in Norfolk, it looks likely the Summer honey production phase of the season is over. Maybe it’s time to turn my attention to extraction.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 404 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Refractometer for Testing Water Content in Honey

Old Castle Farm Hives - Six Frame Dual Poly Nuc

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 403: Time For The Splits Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: July is a great time to make up any splits that you want for overwintered nucleus colonies. For me, I’m taking a slightly different approach this year.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 403 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Old Castle Farm Hives - Six Frame Dual Poly Nuc

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

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.

Support the show

Episode 402: Hottest Inspections Ever! Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It won’t have gone unnoticed that this week has been quite warm! The UK’s Hottest June day ever, set not so far away from me, and, on that day, I had to carry out several inspections. It felt like someone had thrown a bucket of hot water over me while I was wearing my bee suit!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 402 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

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