Laying workers are one of those beekeeping problems that feel intimidating until you understand what is actually happening inside the hive. After a listener reached out asking where to find guidance on laying workers and realizing it deserved its own episode, I finally sat down to break the topic down from the ground up. In this episode, we walk through the pheromonal mechanics behind laying workers, what causes the condition, how to recognize it early, and several proven ways to correct it depe...
Dec 29, 2025•30 min
Africanized honeybees are one of the most misunderstood topics in beekeeping. In this episode, I cut through the fear driven headlines and talk honestly about what Africanized bees are, where they actually pose a risk, and how much of what we hear is grounded in biology versus social media panic. We also dig into real behavior differences, why identification is not as simple as people think, and how beekeepers should realistically manage risk. What’s Inside This Episode: Where Africanized honeyb...
Dec 22, 2025•35 min
American foulbrood gets a lot of attention in beekeeping circles, often accompanied by fear and worst-case scenarios. In this episode, I walk through what AFB and EFB actually are, how they differ, how they spread, and why severity does not always equal likelihood. We also talk about realistic risk, common misdiagnoses, used equipment, open feeding, and whether the new AFB vaccine makes sense for most beekeepers. What’s Inside This Episode: Why American foulbrood is high severity but low likelih...
Dec 16, 2025•43 min
This Bees in the News edition covers four fascinating stories from around the world, from new species discoveries to the first honeybee vaccine. We look at how research and innovation continue to change our understanding of bees, their intelligence, and the threats they face. What’s Inside This Episode: Discovery of the horned “Lucifer” bee in Western Australia’s goldfields How small hive beetle larvae convert excess pollen into usable food New research showing that bees can perceive and measure...
Dec 01, 2025•26 min
This episode is a follow-up to last week’s discussion about Pennsylvania’s proposed bee legislation. We move from the 2024 Senate Bill 1198 to the newly filed 2025 House Bill 1277, breaking down what changed, why it matters, and how the bill expands the state’s authority over beekeepers. What’s Inside This Episode: What happened to the 2024 Senate Bill and why it expired How HB 1277 was reintroduced with stronger enforcement language Expanded licensing that now includes hobbyist beekeepers What ...
Nov 10, 2025•33 min
This episode takes a closer look at Pennsylvania’s proposed Plant and Pollinator Protection Act (SB 1198) and why it’s raising concerns among beekeepers across the country. I break down how it rewrites the long-standing Bee Law, what new powers it gives the Department of Agriculture, and why even backyard beekeepers could be affected. What’s Inside This Episode: What SB 1198 actually proposes and why it matters How it expands licensing and inspection powers What “risk-based inspections” could me...
Nov 03, 2025•31 min
In this Bee Buzz episode I tackle common late-season questions about treating Varroa mites before winter, dealing with moisture and ventilation, replacing old comb, wrapping hives, and whether it’s safe to move colonies near a windbreak this time of year. We also look at what “too much insulation” really means, how to manage condensation safely, and why mite counts in early spring matter more than any single fall treatment. What’s Inside This Episode: How late you can safely treat for Varroa bef...
Oct 27, 2025•34 min
In this Bee Buzz episode I answer listener questions about using drone comb to reduce Varroa without chemicals, getting bees to accept plastic foundation, managing weak colonies before winter, handling late season queen loss, and how to think about brood frames, pollen patties, and uncapped nectar as the season winds down. What’s Inside This Episode: How drone comb helps pull Varroa mites out of the colony Ways to coat or prep plastic foundation for better acceptance When to combine weak colonie...
Oct 23, 2025•39 min
In part two of my conversation with Minnesota beekeeper Peg DeSanto, we continue unpacking the science of overwintering and explore the research behind condensation, CO₂ balance, and hive insulation. Peg explains why matching hive size to colony strength matters, how smaller overwintering spaces improve survival, and how her Hive Hugger project was born from frustration, science, and a little bit of love. What’s Inside This Episode: Why bees can freeze even with honey inches away The real cause ...
Oct 16, 2025•42 min
In this episode I talk with Minnesota beekeeper Peg DeSanto about one of the biggest challenges in beekeeping, getting colonies through winter. Peg explains how she became determined to stop winter losses and what she learned about insulation, moisture control, and the science behind the condensing hive approach. What’s Inside This Episode: Why 50 to 60 percent winter losses are not inevitable How moisture and cold both threaten hive survival What R values actually mean for top and side insulati...
Oct 13, 2025•42 min
Bees In The News is back with a fresh format and more commentary. Instead of just reading headlines, I dive into what these stories really mean for beekeepers. In this episode, we explore the surprising discovery of natural bacteria in pollen that may protect bees, the growing concerns about native bee loss in Missouri and Kansas, and a Penn State study showing that organic beekeeping might actually improve honey yields and beekeeper safety. We wrap up with Alaska’s first small hive beetle detec...
Oct 08, 2025•26 min
Every beekeeper wonders how their colonies are doing in the middle of winter. Are they clustered? Do they have enough food? Is it safe to open the hive? In this episode, I walk through the new project I have been teasing for months, a hive monitoring system that uses temperature probes, humidity sensors, and data collectors to create real-time heat maps of the winter cluster. This is a non-invasive way to track your bees and generate actionable data for better overwintering decisions. What’s Ins...
Oct 06, 2025•34 min
It is Bee Buzz time again, and in this Q&A session I answer listener questions on winter prep, feeding, and hive management. We talk about whether to reduce colonies from two brood boxes to one, how to handle screened bottom boards, what to know about moisture boards, and when to stop feeding syrup. I also cover queen excluders in winter, protecting against mice, and why upper entrances may cause more problems than they solve. What’s Inside This Episode: Best times and methods for moving a h...
Oct 01, 2025•34 min
When temperatures drop, bees form the winter cluster to stay alive. In this episode, we dig into what triggers clustering, how bees rotate between the mantle and the core, and the muscle power that generates heat without flight. We also look at how the cluster moves as a unit to consume honey, why frame arrangement matters, and what not to do when preparing colonies for the cold months. Whether you are a first-year beekeeper or have decades of experience, this is a foundational topic you cannot ...
Sep 29, 2025•26 min
When bees overwinter in a tree cavity, they enjoy thick insulation, controlled airflow, and condensation that actually helps them survive. In a Langstroth hive, things look very different, and without adjustments, those differences can cost colonies dearly. In this episode, I break down what happens inside a natural cavity and compare it to the equipment most of us use today. You will hear how bees manage heat, water, and carbon dioxide in winter, why condensation is not always the enemy, and wh...
Sep 22, 2025•41 min
Winter is coming, and the way you prepare your hives now will determine how strong your colonies are in the spring. In this episode, we go step by step through assessing colony strength, when to combine hives, and what kind of feeding really works. We also break down insulation and ventilation, weighing your hives, and why candy boards and sugar bricks are not the magic fix some people think they are. This is the practical, no-nonsense guide you need before the cold weather sets in. What’s Insid...
Sep 15, 2025•39 min
This episode focuses on the difference between spring and fall pollen and how seasonal shifts impact bee nutrition. We look at what bees need to raise brood, how they build fat reserves for winter, and why feeding is not the same in every season. At the end of the episode, I share my personal story of 9/11, where I was that day in DC, what I saw, and how it unfolded. What’s Inside This Episode: Tree pollen, brood buildup, and spring protein needs The role of high-lipid fall pollen in building wi...
Sep 11, 2025•53 min
News of the USDA Beltsville Bee Lab closing has sparked controversy, but what’s fact and what’s fearmongering? In this episode, we dig into the proposed relocation of the nation’s oldest bee research lab and what it means for diagnostics, research, and beekeepers like you. We also take a hard look at the usual claims about bee declines, climate blame, pesticide hysteria, and what the real numbers say about colony health. This one might ruffle some feathers, but it’s a conversation worth having. ...
Sep 04, 2025•23 min
Oxalic acid has long been a trusted treatment for Varroa mites, but recent label updates are causing confusion about dosage, legality, and safety. In this episode, we talk through what the updated EPA labels for Api-Bioxal and EZ-OX actually say, why generic wood bleach is not a legal alternative, and how much is too much when vaporizing OA. We also dig into what studies show about dose vs. efficacy, why more isn’t always better, and what to watch out for when combining treatments. If you’ve hea...
Sep 01, 2025•33 min
Fall swarms aren’t just a myth, and in some areas, they’re happening right now. While most beekeepers associate swarming with spring, certain late-season conditions can trigger it all over again. In this episode, we break down what those triggers are, how to recognize the signs, and what to do if your bees get the fall swarm bug. We also clear up the confusion between fall bearding and true swarm behavior, and talk about what really happens when you see queen cells in September. What’s Inside Th...
Aug 25, 2025•35 min
As the summer bees finish their work and the fall flow begins, the colony shifts gears. In this episode, we explore how the biology of the honey bee changes for winter, why the nutritional profile of fall forage is different from spring, and what that means for feeding decisions. We talk about cluster sizes, race-specific overwintering tendencies, CO₂ and ventilation in winter, and how to decide what is right for your bees rather than following blanket advice from others. What’s Inside This Epis...
Aug 11, 2025•36 min
Record-breaking heatwaves aren’t just hard on humans — they challenge your colonies too. In this episode, we talk through ways to support your bees during extreme summer temperatures. You’ll learn how hive ventilation works, what role water plays in cooling the colony, and why some popular summer hacks may do more harm than good. What’s Inside This Episode: Why beekeeping forums are flooded with conflicting, often bad information How bees manage internal hive temps through fanning, evaporative c...
Jul 28, 2025•33 min
Thinking about starting beekeeping next spring? This lighthearted but information-packed episode walks you through the full “gestation” process, from the initial idea of getting bees to the big delivery day. Whether you're still dreaming or already placing your order, we’ll break the season into trimesters and help you prepare every step of the way. From first tools to first inspections and even “bee nesting” behaviors, this episode is full of practical tips (and a few dad jokes) to get you read...
Jul 14, 2025•31 min
What’s the real deal with summer ventilation hacks? Should you remove entrance reducers? In this episode, I break down some bad advice floating around YouTube, walk through key updates to the online course platform, and share the growing list of experiments I’ll be running in 2026. If you’ve noticed fewer uploads lately, there’s a reason for that too. What’s Inside This Episode: Why certain “ventilation tricks” can do more harm than good Real talk on hive entrances, reducers, and hardware cloth ...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min
In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the most common alternatives to the Langstroth hive, including Top Bar, Horizontal (Long Langstroth and Layens), and Warre hives. Each of these styles offers something different, from lower lifting demands to more natural comb construction. We cover how they work, who they’re best suited for, and what you need to consider before making a change — including frame support, extraction limitations, and realistic tradeoffs. This episode also includes ...
Jul 04, 2025•43 min
In this episode, we walk through practical honey extraction methods for beekeepers of all levels. If you're new to harvesting or just looking to improve your setup, this episode covers when and how to take honey, how to test moisture content, what to avoid during treatment windows, and how to extract honey with or without expensive equipment. We’ll also go over tips for drying uncapped honey, clearing bees from supers, and managing sticky cleanup after the fact. What’s Inside This Episode: Why y...
Jun 23, 2025•44 min
In this episode, we cover a few important topics to help you avoid major headaches in your beekeeping journey. 🐝 What’s Inside This Episode: Why the presence of a queen cell doesn't mean “do a split” How to avoid disaster when buying used gear (AFB risks) Best practices for moving bees out of swarm traps When it's safe to relocate, and how long to wait What to ask when picking up a nuc or package Why queen age, mite treatment, and egg-laying status matter Regional timing differences for splits ...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min
Thinking of doing a walkaway split? Before you divide that colony, hit play. In this episode, we break down why timing is everything — especially as the summer dearth sets in. Inspired by a real listener question, we walk through what a walkaway split is, how it works, and why it might be one of the riskiest moves you can make during a seasonal lull. Learn why your queen might not emerge (or mate), what happens to your workforce while you wait, and why “just because” splits usually backfire. 🧭 ...
Jun 12, 2025•24 min
In this episode, we dive into the what, who, when, where, why, and how of honeycomb production. You'll learn how wax gets made, when bees choose to build it, what types of foundation help or hinder that process, and how to manage common comb problems — from burr and brace comb to the dreaded “wonky comb.” We also get into frame spacing habits, foundation color (black vs yellow), and why wax production is all about energy balance, not instinct alone. Whether you’re dealing with bridge comb betwee...
Jun 09, 2025•38 min
Ever wonder how long it takes for a queen to emerge? Or why drones take longer to develop than workers? In this deep-dive episode, we break down the full development cycle of honey bee castes — workers, drones, and queens — from egg to emergence. You’ll learn what happens during each stage, how nutrition influences caste, and why understanding these timelines is essential for swarm control, requeening, and sustainable colony growth. What’s Inside This Episode: Worker, drone, and queen developmen...
May 29, 2025•32 min
