Honey Bee Obscura Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Talking With Kids About Bees (168) Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

In this enlightening episode, Jim invites American Bee Journal editor, Eugene Makovec, to the podcast to chat about their experiences and insights on how to engage young minds with the fascinating world of beekeeping. They delve into the joys and challenges of presenting beekeeping to children, from kindergarteners' innocent inquiries to the more sophisticated questions of fifth graders. Through anecdotes and practical advice, Jim and Eugene illustrate the importance of adjusting communication to fit the audience, making complex concepts accessible, and sparking curiosity about nature and bee conservation. They emphasize the unique opportunity beekeepers have to influence future generations' perspectives on bees and the environment.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in spreading the buzz about bees to a younger audience, providing valuable tips for making such interactions educational, memorable, and impactful.

Listen today!

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring 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

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Dealing With Heavy Hives with Anne Frey (167) Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jim Tew and Anne Frey tackle a common yet often overlooked challenge in beekeeping: managing the heavy weight of hives. They delve into practical solutions and innovative ideas to make beekeeping tasks more manageable, emphasizing that this issue impacts beekeepers regardless of age, gender, or experience level.

They both stress the importance of adapting beekeeping practices to accommodate individual capabilities and limitations, suggesting that small adjustments can lead to a more enjoyable and sustainable beekeeping experience. Whether through the strategic use of equipment or altering traditional methods of hive management, the episode offers a wealth of knowledge for beekeepers looking to lighten their load.

This conversation not only sheds light on the physical demands of beekeeping but also champions a more inclusive and thoughtful approach to the craft, ensuring it remains accessible and fulfilling for everyone. Join Jim and Anne as they explore ways to overcome one of beekeeping's most weighty challenges.

Listen today!

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Sampling Varroa Mites (166) Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

Join Jim Tew and David Peck in a critical conversation about Varroa mite management in beekeeping. This episode demystifies the process of counting mites, offering practical advice and insights into the importance of monitoring mite levels for the health of bee colonies. Discover various methods for assessing Varroa populations, from alcohol washes to powdered sugar shakes, and learn why accurate monitoring is essential for effective beekeeping. Whether you're a long-time beekeeper or just starting out, this discussion provides valuable strategies to help you maintain healthy honey bee colonies.

Featured Topics:

- Importance of Varroa mite monitoring

- Methods for counting mites

- Making informed management decisions

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Eating Honey (165) Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Diving into the sweet yet challenging world of honey consumption, this week's episode of Honey Bee Obscura delves into the nuances of enjoying honey—without the mess. Jim discusses the inevitable sticky spills that occur no matter how careful you are with honey. Whether it's a drop missing the target or the complexities of enjoying comb honey and dealing with the leftover wax, Jim covers it all.

Jim also explores the best ways to store honey, debating glass vs. plastic containers, and addresses safety concerns, especially around reheating honey in plastic. He shares his personal take on granulated honey's texture, preferring it to the smoothness of liquid honey.

Historically, honey and comb were enjoyed together, with comb honey still celebrated today as the most "natural" form of honey. Yet, the question remains: how do you manage that bit of wax after enjoying the honey? This episode revisits forgotten social norms around consuming comb honey and offers insights into navigating the challenges of eating honey while highlighting its undeniable worth despite the extra cleanup effort involved

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Colony Collapse and Varroa, Plain Talk with Dr. David Peck (164) Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, Jim is joined by Dr. David Peck, an expert in varroa mites, to delve into the critical issue of honey bee colony collapse linked to varroa infestation. This topic is different from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), focusing instead on the impact of varroa mites and the diseases they introduce to both adult bees and larvae.

The episode addresses a common frustration among beekeepers: the collapse of their strongest and most productive summer colonies. These hives, characterized by their daily activity, young queens, and abundant honey production, fall victim to the escalating varroa mite population. As the bee population increases over the summer, so does the number of varroa mites. This problem intensifies late summer and into fall, as the queen reduces her activity and 'winter bees' emerge in smaller and weaker numbers due to the overwhelming presence of varroa and the diseases they carry. By winter, these colonies are often too weakened to survive even the first cold spell, despite having ample honey reserves.

Complicating matters, these varroa-weakened colonies become targets for robbing, which facilitates the spread of varroa mites to other hives. This episode sheds light on the dual challenge modern beekeepers face: managing both the honey bee and the varroa mite. Tune in as Jim and Dave explore this complex and pressing issue in beekeeping.

Websites and links mentioned in the episode:

Betterbee's "Collapse of a High Mite Hive" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgZzIJgR69g
Cervo et al. (2014) demonstrate that high mite populations change varroa mites' preference for bees of different ages, in a what that could facilitate mite spread through robbing and/or drift: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Federico-Cappa/publication/265133875_High_Varroa_mite_abundance_influences_chemical_profiles_of_worker_bees_and_mite-host_preferences/links/5416b1080cf2bb7347db6904/High-Varroa-mite-abundance-influences-chemical-profiles-of-worker-bees-and-mite-host-preferences.pdf

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

In Class with Jim: "Supering" (163) Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode we delve into the concept of "supering," a term unique to beekeeping that has emerged over the past century. To those outside the beekeeping community, the term might sound like something out of a superhero comic, but for beekeepers, it's a crucial aspect of hive management.

Jim, guides listeners through the history and significance of supering in beekeeping. But what exactly is supering? It involves adding boxes, known as supers or honey supers, to the hive. These are designed for bees to store surplus honey, which beekeepers later harvest at season's end.

Supering strategies vary, and while many techniques exist, Jim emphasizes the importance of understanding and adhering to established best management practices for honey collection and super removal. He provides insights on the optimal timing for adding and removing honey supers, a key to successful beekeeping.

Join us in this class on supering with Jim, and gain valuable knowledge on this essential beekeeping practice. Tune in to enhance your understanding and skills in managing your hives.

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Mentoring Young Beekeepers (162) Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, Jim and Becky Masterman (co-host of Beekeeping Today Podcast) delve into the challenges and joys of mentoring young beekeepers, with a special focus on family dynamics. Jim shares his recent experience of being asked to mentor his grandson, who lives four hours away in a different state, adding a layer of complexity to the mentoring process.

Mentoring within the family brings its unique pressures, but it also offers an invaluable chance for seasoned beekeepers to revisit the wonder of beekeeping through fresh eyes. You can feel the exhilaration of guiding a new beekeeper through their first hive inspection, from the thrill of spotting the queen for the first time to experiencing the mixed emotions of witnessing a swarm.

A key decision in this journey is choosing between starting with a nucleus colony (nuc) or a package of bees. Factors like the mentor's preference, bee availability, cost, and the ever-present issue of varroa mites play a crucial role in this decision. This scenario presents an excellent opportunity to educate young beekeepers about varroa management and treatment strategies as they establish their new colony.

While mentoring young beekeepers, especially family members, is incredibly rewarding, it's not without challenges. Today's discussion touches on these complexities, hinting that navigating family dynamics in beekeeping might just be a topic for another podcast!

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Colony Confinement (161) Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Beekeepers must often confine their bees to the hives for long or short periods of time, whether it be to move them from one yard to another, or if pesticides are to be used in neighboring fields and even transporting home package bees or nucs in the spring. Have you ever considered the effects this confinement may have on the colony? On today episode, Jim and Becky Masterman, PhD, discuss the ramifications of confining bees to their hives on bee health and even queen viability.

In the wild, honey bees are never confined to the hollow of the tree. They come and go as they please. Whether that is to go in search of nectar and pollen, bring in water, take out hive debris or dead sisters. Being locked up is not in their 'wiring', so what impact does this have on them? Does it cause stress? Does it impact the laying ability of the queen?

Jim and Becky explore the consequences of confining bees and how it diverges from their natural behaviors. They explore the potential stress factors that confinement induces in a bee colony. Is it just about limited foraging, or does it go deeper, affecting the social structure and health of the hive?

The discussion then shifts to the queen bee, the heart of the hive. How does confinement impact her laying patterns and overall health?

Furthermore, they talk about practical strategies beekeepers can adopt to minimize the negative effects of confinement. From optimal confinement durations to pre-and post-confinement hive management, these tips are crucial for maintaining a healthy, thriving colony.

This episode is not just about the challenges but also about solutions and proactive steps beekeepers can take to ensure their bees are as stress-free as possible during these unavoidable confinements. Whether you're relocating your bees, protecting them from pesticides, or introducing new bees to your apiary, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge.

Join us in uncovering the delicate balance of beekeeping and the art of ensuring the well-being of our bees, even when they're confined.

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Hive Inspections: When, Why and How Often (160) Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Hive inspections are essential in the beekeeping, serving as the cornerstone for effective colony management. Through these inspections, beekeepers gain crucial insights that guide their decisions for immediate and long-term hive care. In this episode, Jim is joined by Anne Frey, an EAS Master Beekeeper from Betterbee, to delve into the intricacies of hive inspections.

Anne shares her expertise on the timing, frequency, and methods of conducting thorough hive inspections. She emphasizes the importance of observing colony behavior, brood patterns, and the health of the queen. These observations are vital for assessing the colony's strength, detecting potential issues like disease or pests, and planning for interventions like feeding or splitting hives.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the nuances involved in hive inspections, including how seasonal changes affect the hive and the best practices for minimizing stress on the bees during inspections. This episode is not just about the mechanics of checking frames but understanding the language of bees and making informed decisions that ensure the health and productivity of the hive.

Join us as we explore the critical role of hive inspections in successful beekeeping. Whether you're a novice or an experienced beekeeper, this conversation with Anne Frey is bound to enrich your beekeeping practice.

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Keeping Small Colonies (159) Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode, Jim is delighted to welcome back David Peck from Betterbee. In this intriguing discussion, they explore what Jim calls, "Reverse Beekeeping," a unique approach that focuses on maintaining smaller bee colonies.

Traditionally, beekeeping has been all about growing large colonies for honey production and pollination. This has led to bee breeders selecting for traits that encourage large and rapid brood development and has influenced the design of beekeeping equipment, like the standard 10-frame boxes. However, managing these large colonies can be physically demanding. In today's conversation, Jim and David discuss the advantages of reducing colony size and the management techniques suited for these smaller hives.

A significant aspect of managing smaller colonies is dealing with honey-bound boxes, which can lead to more frequent swarming. David shares insights into how beekeepers can address this, whether by making splits when the colony grows large or by letting them swarm naturally. Another interesting topic is the practice of occasionally caging the queen, known as 'queen break,' which can be an effective strategy for controlling colony size and as a side benefit, help manage varroa mite populations.

The discussion also touches on the concept of 'queen quality' in smaller colonies. What might be considered a less desirable queen in a large honey production or pollination operation could actually be the ideal choice for smaller colonies. Jim and David delve into how this shift in perspective can impact beekeeping practices.

Join us in this fascinating episode as Jim and David delve deep into the nuances of keeping smaller bee colonies, offering a fresh take on traditional beekeeping methods.

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

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