Beekeeping For Newbees®

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 o...

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)...

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 pr...

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, requee...

On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the meaning of service, sacrifice, and the families who carry that burden. In this special episode, Jeff shares his own story of military transition, how beekeeping became a source of healing, and why he's launching a new nonprofit: The Healing Hive Project. This initiative will create a retreat and training center for veterans and first responders...

The nectar flow doesn't last forever, and when it ends, things can get tough. In this episode, we talk about how to recognize the start of a summer dearth, how to feed bees without triggering robbing, and how to use this broodless period to crush your mite population. You'll also hear what not to do with syrup feeders (Jeff's mistake was gross), and why hive beetles and robbing go hand...

We wrap up our three-part Bee Buzz Q&A series with a big one — covering everything from screen bottom boards and queen excluders to robbing behavior, swarm cells, spring mite counts, aggressive bees, and more. Plus, a quick family update from graduation weekend, a pickup mission to Kentucky, and the latest with Howard the cat (who now demands an intro shoutout). This is a packed episode with o...

We’re back with The Bee Buzz! In this episode, I recap a wild cross-country trip that ended in a busted transmission, a used car purchase, and the world's best Applebee’s salmon. Then we jump into your beekeeping questions. What’s Inside This Episode: Weekly inspections vs bi-weekly: what you risk by skipping Reversing boxes vs adding space — what actually matters When and how to rotate or rep...

The Bee Buzz is back! After a long break, we’re reviving this listener-favorite format where we answer your questions directly. From feeding bees in spring, to how much honey is  enough  to get through winter, to deciding when to add a second brood box—we’re covering a huge range of practical Q&A topics in this special milestone episode. What’s Inside This Episode: How to decide if your bees n...

Feeding bees is one of the most misunderstood topics in beekeeping. In this episode, we talk about when you should feed, what you should feed (syrup, patties, honey frames, and more), and  how much  is enough. Whether you're managing packages, nucs, or full colonies, this episode will help you feed with purpose, not just habit. What’s Inside This Episode: Feeding strategies for packages, nucs,...

In this episode, we talk about the right (and wrong) ways to move bees to a new location. Whether you’re relocating a hive two miles or two hundred, learn how to minimize stress, avoid major bee loss, and keep your colonies thriving. Plus, updates on swarm season and new traps at the property! 🐝 What’s Inside This Episode: How far honey bees can really travel. Best practices for relocating coloni...

In this episode, we dive deep into how honey bee colonies are structured and why understanding bee behavior can make you a calmer, more effective beekeeper. We cover the different castes of bees, what drives their daily decisions, how pheromones regulate everything inside the hive, and tips to work with your bees, not against them. What’s Inside This Episode:  • The roles of workers, drones, and q...

From pub patio swarms in England to rooftop hives in Chicago—and even yoga sessions with bees—this Bees in the News installment covers the weird, the wonderful, and the just plain “what?” in the world of bees. What’s Inside This Episode: A 3,000-bee swarm descends on a British pub mid-pint Chicago hotel rooftop bees add sweetness to guest stays New research warns that urban wildflowers may be toxi...

So… you open the hive and don’t see any eggs. Panic sets in. Did she die? Did they swarm? Did you crush her?! In this episode, we walk through how to tell whether your colony is actually queenless—and what to do if it is. What’s Inside This Episode: Real reasons your queen might be gone False alarms that trick new beekeepers into requeening too soon How to recognize normal brood breaks vs. true qu...

Requeening a hive is one of the most important, and sometimes most confusing, tasks beekeepers face. Whether your queen is failing, gone, or just not cutting it, knowing how and when to step in can make or break your colony’s productivity. What’s Inside This Episode: How to tell if your queen is gone (and why no eggs doesn’t always mean queenless) Natural vs. assisted requeening: pros, cons, and t...

Ever hear beekeepers talk about the "Demaree split" and wonder what it actually is? Spoiler alert: it's not a real split. In this episode, we walk through the Demaree Method of Swarm Control, a smart hive reorganization technique that helps manage swarm urges without creating a new colony. What’s Inside This Episode: What the Demaree Method is (and isn't) Step-by-step instructions...

Swarming is a natural part of honey bee biology—but that doesn’t mean it has to happen in your apiary. In this episode, we break down the triggers that lead to swarms and the proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk. From adding supers to splitting strong colonies, we’ll cover what works, what’s optional, and what to avoid. What’s Inside This Episode: • Why bees swarm (and why it’s not pers...

In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of hive inspections—from timing and tools to what to look for and what to leave alone. Whether you’re in your first season or your tenth, this guide will help you inspect your hives with confidence, purpose, and minimal disruption to your bees. What’s Inside This Episode: • Why inspections are critical for every beekeeper • What tools you really need...

If you’re about to install bees — or just did — this episode walks you through what to expect during the first 30 days of a new colony. From queen acceptance to feeder strategies and early inspections, we’ll help you avoid common mistakes and start your beekeeping season strong. What’s Inside This Episode: Quick overview of packages vs. nucs Why queen acceptance is key to package success When to f...

Over half a million downloads, a top 1.5% global ranking, and Feedspot’s Top 10 Beekeeping Podcast award — we’re celebrating some milestones and diving into an essential skill: keeping records. Whether you're a hobbyist or aspiring pro, your beekeeping notes matter. In this episode, we cover the importance of documentation, what to record for each hive and queen, tools and apps to consider (li...

New beekeepers make a lot of mistakes, but many of them are easily avoidable if you know what to look out for. In this episode, I go through some of the most common beginner beekeeping mistakes and how to avoid them—so you don’t end up losing colonies, wasting money, or making your life harder than it needs to be! 📌 What’s Inside This Episode? ✔️ Why not treating for varroa is a guaranteed way to...

Should you use a single deep or double deep for your brood chamber? 🏠🐝 In this episode, I break down the pros and cons of each setup, when to use them, and how they impact colony growth, inspections, and swarm management. 📌 What’s Inside This Episode? ✔️ The math behind brood space—do bees really run out of room? 🧮🐝 ✔️ Pros & cons of single vs. double deep configurations ✔️ How hive layou...

Want to turn beekeeping into a profitable business? 🏛️🐝 In this episode, I break down everything you need to knowabout starting a beekeeping business the right way—from choosing a business structure to legal requirements, taxes, and protecting yourself with insurance. 📌 What’s Inside This Episode? ✔️ How to legally structure your beekeeping business (LLC, S-Corp, Sole Proprietor) ✔️ The importan...

Starting beekeeping this year? 🐝 Getting the right gear is key to setting yourself up for success. In this episode, we go through everything you need to get through your first season, from protective equipment to hive components, feeders, and hive stand options. We also cover why every beekeeper should have a backup hive and a nuc box—because you never know when you’ll need to split a hive, catch...

Beekeeping isn’t as cheap as many think—so what’s the real cost of getting started? In this episode, I break down the actual expenses of beekeeping, from startup costs to hidden fees you might not expect. If you're thinking about getting into beekeeping, this episode will help you budget wisely and avoid financial surprises. What’s Inside This Episode: The true cost of starting beekeeping 💸 H...