Beekeeping Today Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Varroa Control with Bill Hesbach (S5, E48) May 15, 2023

Show notes

On today's show, we invite Connecticut Master Beekeeper, Bill Hesbach back to the show to talk about the latest developments in practical varroa management. Whether you are a long time beekeeper, aka BVD beekeeper (Before Varroa Destructor) or a new beekeeper, varroa complicate the way you learn about and manage your honey bee colony.

We talk with Bill about varroa and the various management approaches available to beekeepers today. We discuss on-lable and off-lable use of chemicals (organic and non-organic) as well as IPM practices.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Bill's website: https://www.wingdancehoney.com/
Bill's Book on Splits and Varroa Management: https://www.northernbeebooks.co.uk/products/hesbach-splits-and-varroa/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!

We welcome Betterbee as sponsor of today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

We welcome Blue Sky Bee Supply as a sponsor of the podcast! Check out blueskybeesupply.com for the best selection of honey containers, caps, lids, and customized honey labels. Enter coupon code PODCAST and receive 10% off an order of honey containers, caps, lids, or customized honey labels. Offer ends December 31, 2023. Some exclusions apply.

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

What A Bee Knows with Stephen Buchmann (S5, E47) May 08, 2023

Show notes

Anyone who's watch the front entrance of a hive or watched honey bee gathering nectar and pollen from flowers on a tree or a field of flowers has wondered about the life of a bee. That ultimately leads to the wonderment of just what does a bee perceive of its environment and how does a bee use that information. In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Stephen Buchmann, who has studied and research bees and written a book, "What A Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and personalities of Bees".

Honey bees are so small. They are insects. Do they even really have a brain - as we know it? If so, what kind of brain do they have and how does it work?! Can they learn? Can they actually use this information? Are they smart? Do they have dreams and make plans?

Probably something everyone what that hive entrance or standing over an open hive, looking down at the rows of bees looking back at them, have wondered is: Are they aware of themselves? Are they conscious?

We talk with Stephen about his research, the research of others and how his book brings it all together. This is an enlightening discussion and one we know will leave you with a new persective about the honey bee.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Dr. Stephen Buchmann's website: https://www.stephenbuchmann.com
Stephen's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@stephenbuchmann
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Beekeeper Confidential with Mandy Shaw (S5, E46) May 01, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, Jeff and Kim talk with Mandy Shaw of the Beekeeper Confidential podcast. Mandy is a Portland, OR, beekeeper, active with the Portland Urban Beekeepers Association as President and other roles. We talk with her today about her background and love for honey bees, her podcast Beekeeper Confidential, why she started it, and what she has learned.

Finally, we talk with Mandy about her beekeeper clothing line and what exactly sets it apart from other clothing available to beekeepers.

Also in this episode, Ed Colby returns with another story from his book, "A Beekeeper's Life: Tales from the Bottom Board". The book is a collection of 60 of his best columns from Bee Culture. In this episode, Ed decides to take public transit to and from his home in Glennwood Springs, Colorado, to Boulder. It's an adventure you will want to hear him tell.

You can order signed copies of Ed's book for $25.00. Contact him directly at coloradobees1@gmail.com for your copy!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Beekeeper Confidential: https://www.beekeeperconfidential.com/
Mandy's BellaBeek Clothing Line: https://www.belllabeek.com
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We welcome Fischer's Bee-Quick as a sponsor of today's show! If you use fume boards during your honey harvest and are tired of the absolutely horrid smell of typical fume board repellent products, you should try Bee-Quick. If you are are using bee escapes because you can't stand the smell of a fume board, but are dealing with clogged escapes, full of dead bees and honey supers still full of bees... you should try Bee-Quick this season. Listen to today's episode for a special 15% discount code for your next purchase on Amazon.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Honey Bee Longevity with Dr. Anthony Nearman (S5, E45) Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Anthony Nearman on his recently published research on honey bee longivity in the lab. In fact, his research indicates that caged bees in the lab are only living half as long as bees from 50 years ago.

Early in his research, he noted that bees used in research in the 1970's were living much longer than the bees in today's research. Anthony started to look deeper into the research of the standards used in the lab for the feeding and water provisioning of honey bees. There were many accepted practices, but nothing backed by research.

Anthony started to look closer at the water provided to bees - tap, distilled, sucrose, etc. and its effect on bee longevity. The results, may be sur

Along with the research on the water fed to bees, Anthony is investigating whether or not it is possible to determine a bee's age based upon physical characteristics, and how this changes based upon different hive and evironmental changes.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Bee Longevity Research: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-21401-2
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) with Mary Duane and Lou Naylor (S5, E44) Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, we welcome Mary Duane and Eloise (Lou) Naylor of the Eastern Apicultural Society. EAS was founded in 1955 for the "promotion of bees, education of beekeepers, certification of Master Beekeepers and excellence in bee research. EAS Master Beekeepers are recognized worldwide for their beekeeping skills and ability to educate others in the art of beekeeping.

Each year, EAS hosts an annual conference in the state or province of one of their member organizations. This year, the 68th annual EAS conference goes to Amherst, Massachusetts. The conference has excellent speakers, many who you've heard on this podcast including Dr. Sammy Ramsey, Dr. Tammy Horn-Potter and Dr. Tom Seeley.

The conference also hold workshops, a world class honey show and of course, the EAS Master Beekeeping Program Testing and Certification.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Eastern Apicultural Society: https://easternapiculture.org/
EAS 2023 Annual Conference: https://easternapiculture.org/conference/eas-2023/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

2023 Almond Season Updates and Tropilaelaps with John Miller (S5, E43) Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

John Miller, a commercial beekeeper with Miller Honey Company in North Dakota, just finished his almond pollination season. In this episode, John returns to talk about the weather before and during his time in the orchards, the water issues almond growers are facing, the almond market and what might be in store in the future for this important part of the business. He also shares a bit about the condition of his colonies after wintering in an environmentally controlled building and what worked, and what didn't.

He also looks at the looming threat of the entry into the US of the Tropilaelaps mite because them may be headed into Canada. Compared to Tropilaelaps, varroa mites are a walk in the park and John is knocking on a lot of doors to make sure everything possible is being done to keep them out of the US. And then he shares what you can do to help that cause.

Prior to our talk with John, Louisa Cartwright from Northern Bee Books joins us with a series of interviews with beekeepers attending a recent large beekeeping meeting in Telford, UK.

We are sure you will like this episode!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Miller Honey Farms: https://www.millerhoneyfarms.com/
(Dr. Sammy Ramsey's Talk on) the Tropilaelaps Mite (YouTube) - https://youtu.be/p34t9JKadqI
Louisa's UK Beekeeping Show: https://www.thebeekeepingshow.co.uk/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Drones and Mapping Drone Congregation Areas with Julia Mahood (S5, E42) Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Today, we talk with Julia Mahood, a Master Beekeeper in Georgia. Julia is fascinated with drone honey bees and especially Drone Congregation Areas. To find out more about DCA's, she is on a quest to find as many as she can across her Georgia community.

She started by reading all she could find, then went looking using an artificial queen lure on the end of a very tall stick. That didn't work.

She switched to weather balloons and that much better, so eventually she started using mechanical drones, with cameras and lots of range.

Some of what she's found so far hasn't been reported before she started this quest. She's finding them now and has created an online map so others can contribute – as a citizen science effort to locate as many as possible.

But there's more. She also works with the Georgia Department of Corrections teaching beekeeping in one of their women's prisons.

Find out more about Drone Congregation Areas and teaching beekeeping in prisons by listening today!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Julia's MapMy DCA Website: https://mapmydca.com/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Beekeeping with Fred Dunn (S5, E41) Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

There was one time when one mentioned YouTube beekeepers, the immdiate image was one of misinformation, mockery, and mistakes. But that is no longer the rule. There are great beekeepers producing great YouTube content, one of them is our guest today, Fred Dunn.

Fred lives in Northwest Pennsylvania, with his many bee hives and numerous chickens, ducks and other critters. Fred joins us today to talk his life with bees and his YouTube channel.

If you like watching YouTube and are looking for a good, reliable beekeeper to follow, Fred's channel is one you do not want to miss!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Fred's Website: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/
Fred's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVmPauAlOLKR9QZzFKn-uFw
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We welcome HiveAlive back as an episode sponsor. HiveAlive is the #1 liquid feed supplement for honeybees worldwide. It contains a unique blend of seaweed extracts, thyme and lemongrass proven to increase bee strength, produce more honey, improved bee gut health and improved overwinter survival. Ask about HiveAlive and new HiveAlive Fondant & Pollen Patty at your local beekeeping store or visit the website www.usa.hivealivebees.com for more information. Listeners of the podcast can claim a special discount online using the code "BTP" at the checkout!

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of The Beekeeping Today Podcast. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Beekeeping in Arizona (S5, E40) Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

When you think of Arizona, beekeeping typically does not come to mind. On today's episode, we talk about beekeeping in Arizona with three Arizona beekeepers: Duane Combs, Joc Rawls, and Monica King.

Duane has been on the podcast in the past talking about the Hive Heart line of bee hive sensors and as part of our Regional Beekeeper series. Monica is a third generation beekeeper and does cut-outs and queens, south of Tucson, and Joc is a retired veternarian, who, like Duane, keeps his colonies near Phoenix.

What is it like to keep bees in the 110 degree heat of summer? Many of us only really consider insulation as a winter issue... but these three, along with most of the other beekeepers in Arizona, consider summer as the prime time to insulate their bees.

The old adage says, "Beekeeping is local." Today's guests defintely illustrate that point!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of The Beekeeping Today Podcast. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Honey Bees and Golf At The University of Georgia with Jennifer Berry and Scott Griffith (S5, E39) Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Close your eyes and think of a gold course. We're pretty sure that when you think of the landscape and maintenance of a typical golf course, with lots trim flat greens, schedules of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and other chemicals - a beeyard just doesn't fit, right?

Jennifer Berry and Scott Griffith of the University of Georgia, are working to change that vision. They've placed a hive at the very first tee on the university's golf course, in Athens, Georgia.

Jennifer, a grad student at the University and a researcher at the UGA Bee Lab, and Scott, Director of Agronomy and golf course Supervisor, are working to set a standard to use the tracts of land around golf courses, bee and pollinator friendly.

They are starting to make it happen.

Scott is spreading the word to every golf course in the US about how to keep both golfers and honey bees safe, what they should be planting to help bees stay healthy, and what they shouldn't be doing with all of the chemicals golf courses use. The next step is working with an organization that could certify a golf course as being recognized as Bee Friendly, with guidelines, and standards that if followed, minimized, or better, kept bees truly safe, and well fed.

Listen now and see out if your golf course can be a part of this program, and what you can do to help………FORE!!!

Also on this episode, Ed Colby returns with another story from his book, "A Beekeeper's Life: Tales from the Bottom Board". The book is a collection of 60 of his best columns from Bee Culture. In this episode, Ed's bee truck breaks down in Steamboat Springs, Colorado! Listen to hear how he gets out of this high mountain town. You can order signed copies of Ed's book for $25.00. Contact him directly at coloradobees1@gmail.com for your copy!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

University of Georgia Bee Lab: https://ent.uga.edu/bees
UGA Golf Course: https://golfcourse.uga.edu/news/honeybees/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of The Beekeeping Today Podcast. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

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