In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Geoff Williams to discuss the 2020 Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) preliminary survey. Then Amy and Jamie talk about queen bees. Q&A includes: when removing supers, should burr comb be melted and applied to frames to encourage honey bees to building in that super? What are “zom-bees”? I heard foundationless frames made smaller worker bees, which led to less Varroa . Is this true?
Aug 20, 2020•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. David Tarpy to learn what it means to have quality queen bees and about his Queen and Disease Clinic at North Carolina State University. Then Amy and Jamie discuss the biggest stressors that honey bee colonies face according to the Bee Informed Partnership. Q&A includes: I had harvested my honey and there are a lot of air bubbles. Is this ok or should I wait before putting a lid on? What kind of hive stand is the best? Would it be okay if I got rid of de...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode we speak with Dr. Keith Delaplane about queen mating behavior. For the second segment, Dr. Ellis and Amy discuss the role of labels and how to interpret them. Q&A includes: is there a way to control mold in a hive? How can you tell the difference between wax moths and small hive beetle larva? How do you deal with high moisture content in your honey?
Aug 06, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode we speak to Black Bee Honey, a non-profit organization aiming to turn ‘food deserts to food oases,’ and encourage young entrepreneurs. The first segment describes how they provide youth the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship. In the second segment, we go more in depth into how this program was developed and how you can begin one in your area. Q&A includes: is honey safe to eat when pregnant? Can bacteria in honey cause botulism? Does the bacteria affect the bees? Why...
Jul 30, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Tammy Potter to discuss the role of women in beekeeping. Then we speak with Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda about what it means to be an Extension Specialist, her programs in Tennessee, and some emerging topics in the honey bee world. Q&A includes: when moving a hive, is it true that you need to move them ‘two feet a day or two miles away’? How can we incorporate integrated pest management when using a top bar hive? Are there any essential oils we should not be usin...
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode we discuss recent research conducted by lead scientist, Dr. Martin Bencsik, who studied honey bee queen ’duets’. Then we hear from Dr. Malcolm Sanford, professor emeritus from the University of Florida, about his research and career experiences. Q&A includes: what does it mean when beekeepers are ‘treatment free’? Is Amdro safe to use around hives? How many dead bees is enough to be cause for concern?
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode we discuss BeeMD with Dr. Dewey Caron and Dr. Debbie Delaney. Then we hear from Chris Hiatt, the vice president of the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA) to discuss AHPA, some of their initiatives, including a hot topic in the commercial beekeeping industry: honey labeling guidelines. Q&A includes: is there a resistance to amitraz? What does it mean when beekeepers talk about mite resistance or varroa sensitivity? Where would someone find queens who are resistant to ...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode we discuss the five best and worst commercial beekeeping management practices with Dan Aruell and Matt Hoepfinger from the Bee Informed Partnership (BIP). Then we hear from Dr. Julia Bowsher, to learn about her research on the factors that determine whether a female larvae will become a worker or queen bee. Q&A includes: I have a hive with screen bottom boards. I coat the removable, plastic bottom boards with canola oil or vegetable oil to collect ‘all the good stuff’ that fa...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode we discuss the re-discovery of the blue calamintha bee with Dr. Chase Kimmel. Then we hear from Dr. Jay Evans, to learn about his book, ‘Found in Translation’. Q&A includes: how do you deal with bull ants?I just installed a package of bees into a new hive, the queen is in her cage with a sugar cork. The bees are on outside clustering on the nest entrance and cluster is getting bigger, what should I do? What qualifies someone as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced beekeeper?...
Jun 25, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 22
In this episode we hear from Dr. Jay Evans, and learn about the role of USDA Bee Research Laboratories and what they do for beekeepers. This is followed by a discussion with Jennifer Holmes, the Florida State Beekeepers Association president, on state beekeeper associations. Q&A includes: after I work my bees, I smell like smoke the rest of the day, is there a trick to removing smoke? When you first receive a package, I’ve been told that I should seal the entrance for the first day or two, i...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 21
In this episode we discuss the role of Florida Farm Bureau Federation and their relationship with apiculture. In the second segment of this podcast episode, we speak with Caitlin Gill from the Florida Department of Agriculture, about mosquito control for beekeepers. Q&A includes: what are things that beekeepers can do to prevent mosquitos? What ratio do you recommend for sugar water, and why? I have a split that didn’t re-queen, I added a new frame of eggs, there is an empty queen cell, but ...
Jun 11, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode we are joined by Distinguished McKnight Professor, Dr. Marla Spivak, to learn about social immunity. Amy and Jamie have a discussion on swarms, and we wrap up with Q&A. Q&A includes: How soon should I put a honey super on a newly split ten frame hive? Can you tell us about treating for mites prophylactically? Are supers safe to reuse if they had European foulbrood in the past?
Jun 04, 2020•58 min•Ep. 19
In this episode we are joined by UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Agent, Brooke Moffis, to learn about landscaping for bees. We wrap up this episode with a discussion on commonly asked question about specific beekeeping equipment such as woodenware and bottom boards. Q&A includes: why did beetles find my hive only hours after placing them? What are small cell foundations? What is the best way to move frames in a hive without crushing the queen?
May 28, 2020•55 min•Ep. 18
In this episode we are joined by Chris Looney, Entomologist for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, who discusses the current situation surrounding the Asian giant hornet. Q&A includes: where does the Asian giant hornet occur? How do I know if the stinging insect I have found is an Asian giant hornet and what should I do? What kinds of trap/screens do you suggest beekeepers use to protect against predation?
May 21, 2020•44 min
In this episode we are joined by David Smalls, who discusses his experiences and knowledge of beekeeping in the Caribbean and how Varroa have affected the industry. We wrap up this episode with Dr. Cameron Jack, who’s segment focuses on the use of oxalic acid as a pest management tool. Q&A includes: Should you select and remove drones? Do drones take resources away from the larvae? Can you get different sizes of drone within your colony?
May 14, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this very special episode, we discuss the effects of COVID-19 on beekeepers and how it connects with our food system. We are joined by Jason Mathis from Florida Farm Bureau, and Tony Hogg who is a beekeeper and the chair of the Apiary Advisory committee for the Florida Farm Bureau.
May 07, 2020•39 min
In this episode we are joined by Michael Young, who discusses Honey Judge Training programs, we wrap up Bill Kerns pest series with a conversation about miscellaneous pests, and we end the episode with Q&A. Q&A includes: What are books and resources for beekeepers? Can you combine frames from two hives to make one walkaway split?
Apr 30, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode we discuss available resources and beekeeping journals by editors around the country: Eugene Makovec, the editor of American Bee Journal, and Jerry Hayes, the editor of Bee Culture (who has a little surprise for our podcast listeners!). We end the episode with these Q&A questions: Why doesn’t the Africanized honey bee gene pool get watered down? Is checking a hive once a week (or more) bad for the colony? What to do about swarms?
Apr 23, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 15
We are accompanied by Sarah Red-Laird, the founder and executive director of The Bee Girl Organization, to talk about bee nutrition, forage, and regenerative agriculture, we will be continuing our Apiary Pest discussion with Bill Kern talking about bears, and Q&A. Q&A Includes: Should you bottom super or top super? If you bottom super, what’s the order to do that? Is there any information on Azaleas and honey bees? I have honey bees in my tree. What can I do to remove them?
Apr 16, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this episode, Dave Westervelt discusses the history of beekeeping, we continue our pest series with Dr. Kern discussing wasps, and Dr. Ellis lists his top ten tips for beekeepers. Q&A includes: Can you smoke bees too much? How does the hive keep a balance between drones and workers? Can the queen lay different types of eggs?
Apr 09, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Interviews with key members of the International Bee Research Association, including Professor Dr. William Kirk, discussing the history of IBRA, Dr. Robert Brodschneider, the editor of the journal Bee World, and Dr. Maria Bouga, the editor of the Journal of Apicultural Research. Jamie and Cameron include a synopsis of what it means to publish academic research. Q&A with Jamie and Amy include: Why should we care about the honey bee gut? What are super sisters? What is the difference between o...
Apr 02, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 12
An interview with 2020 American Honey Princess, Sydnie Paulsrud, about the American Beekeeping Federation and the Honey Queen Program, followed by Bill Kern beginning our “Pests in the Apiary” series with a discussion about ants, and Q&A. Q&A with Jamie and Cameron includes: How many hives are needed per acre in almond pollination? Are top bar hives a better choice for bee health? When should a beekeeper be worried about hive beetles?
Mar 26, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 11
An interview with Dr. Meghan Milbrath about European foulbrood, followed by a discussion with Dr. Milbrath about Honey Bee Treatments, Dr. Bill Kern talks about Africanized Honey Bees, and we finish with Q&A.
Mar 12, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 10
A discussion with the Florida Assistant Bureau Chief of Apiary Inspection, Brandi Stanford, an interview with pollination ecology expert, Dr. Rachel Mallinger, and Q&A.
Mar 05, 2020•1 hr 11 min
An interview with Dr. Josette Lewis with the Almond Board of California, a discussion with Sarah Stern, a commercial beekeeper/co-owner of Concord Farms about her life as a commercial beekeeper, and Q & A.
Feb 27, 2020•1 hr 6 min
An interview with Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, Extension & Research Entomologist University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on her pesticide research, Jamie and Amy discuss pesticide risk and what that really means, and Q&A.
Feb 20, 2020•51 min
An interview with Randy Oliver about monitoring Varroa, a discussion about the Bee Informed Partnership with Anne Marie Fauvel and Nathalie Steinhauer, and Q&A.
Feb 13, 2020•1 hr 13 min
What to do about honey bee dead-outs with Dr. Humberto Boncristiani, a discussion on invasive species with Dr. Jim Cuda, and Q&A.
Feb 06, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 5
A summary of Extension and Research, and an interview with Dr. Meghan Milbrath from Michigan State University discussing her 50/50 Research/Extension appointment.
Jan 30, 2020•1 hr 5 min
A general overview of Varroa , honey bee pollen and nutrition, Master Beekeepers Programs, and Q&As.
Jan 23, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 3
