Bee Talks

In this episode of Bee Talks, we cover fall Varroa treatments, feeding and robbing prevention, local bloom tracking, BroodMinder hive monitoring, winter honey stores, insulation, and hive configuration, along with practical tips for helping Connecticut colonies make it through the colder months. ⁠More about the episode + links >

In this episode of Bee Talks , we discuss the threat of yellow-legged hornets and what Connecticut beekeepers should know as we head into fall. We look at what’s blooming now and how hive sensors and Broodminder data can help you better understand what’s happening inside your colonies. We also get into winter preparation, including single versus double deeps, reconfiguring hives, and setting up an...

In this episode of Bee Talks, we look at what’s happening in Connecticut apiaries as summer begins to shift toward fall, including current blooms, honey production, and what beekeepers should be watching for next. We discuss spotted lanternflies and the potential impact of honeydew on honey, along with the importance of keeping an eye out for the invasive yellow-legged hornet. We answer questions...

In this episode of Bee Talks, we answer practical questions that many beekeepers face as colonies reach their peak summer population. We discuss when to replace older nuc frames, how oxalic acid treatments fit into hive inspections and honey harvesting, and why monitoring for varroa is important even when you don’t see mites. We also cover feeding during nectar dearths, knowing when to add honey s...

In this episode of Bee Talks , we focus on managing colonies during swarm season and making practical decisions as hives continue to grow. We discuss what happens inside a colony before and after a swarm, including the role of drones, managing the remaining hive, and evaluating queen cells. We also talk about feeding strategies, when it makes sense to stop feeding, and simple ways newer beekeepers...

In this episode of Bee Talks, we cover a wide range of spring management questions, from handling newly caught swarms and treating broodless colonies to feeding packages and timing supers. We talk about simple approaches to splitting hives for newer beekeepers, how long it takes queens to begin laying after a split, and practical ways to spot your queen during inspections. The discussion also touc...

In this episode of Bee Talks , we focus on early spring hive management and how to respond coming out of winter. We talk through what to do after losing a colony, including cleanup, frame, and equipment reuse. We cover adding supers, whether to reverse deeps, and how to think about equalizing or splitting colonies as populations build. We also discuss considerations like dysentery and Nosema, comm...

In this episode of Bee Talks , we focus on what to pay attention to as colonies come out of winter and start building into spring. We talk about when it actually makes sense to feed, what to look for before adding syrup, and how to approach mite treatment and use as colonies expand. We also cover when it’s safe to move hives, how to avoid setbacks when relocating colonies, and how tools like therm...

In this episode of Bee Talks , we get into how to keep an eye on your bees when you can’t open the boxes. We talk about using thermal cameras in winter, how to read hot and cold spots on hives, what cluster position really tells you, and why brood nests often restart around the winter solstice even when it still feels cold outside. We discuss broodless colonies, late season drones, and what those...

In this episode of Bee Talks we discuss how to read winter hive temperature data, decide if colonies are broodless, set realistic honey store targets, time oxalic vapor and Norroa™ treatments, and insulate colonies for year-long health. More about the episode + links >