Beekeeping For Newbees

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, and overwintered colonies
• Syrup rat...

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 colonies safely.
• Real-world moving tips f...

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 queens

• How pheromones control hive be...

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 toxic to pollinators
• Harvard’s Robo-B pr...

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 queenlessness
• The frame-of-eggs test a...

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 timing
• Understanding queen mating fl...

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 for implementing it in a two-deep ...

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 personal)

• How swarming impacts honey pro...

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 (and what to skip)

• How to read frame...

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 feed and when not to (nucs vs. packa...

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 (like Hive Tracks and Hive Bloom...

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 lose your bees

✔️ The importance of m...

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 layout impacts queen management & inspec...

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 importance of business banking & keeping ...

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 a swarm, or save a colony! Plus, I ...

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 💸
• Hive setup, protective gear, and eq...

Are package bees or nucleus colonies (nucs) the better choice for starting a new hive? In this episode, I break down the key differences, pros, and cons of both options. From installation to colony growth, I’ll walk you through what you need to know to make the best choice for your beekeeping goals.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• What are package bees and nucleus colonies?
• Pros and cons of each option for starting a hive.
• Which one is...

Can you have it all in beekeeping—big honey harvests, low costs, and strong overwintering colonies? In this episode, we explore the Beekeeping Triangle: the three key priorities every beekeeper must balance—honey, money, or life. Whether you want a thriving apiary or a booming honey business, you’ll have to make choices!

💡 What’s Inside This Episode:

• How honey production, overwintering, and cost management interact
• Why you can on...

Beekeepers across the U.S. are reporting massive honey bee colony losses—some exceeding 50%. What’s behind this sudden crisis? In this episode, we break down the facts, discuss possible causes, and explore what it means for new and experienced beekeepers alike.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Shocking colony loss statistics and financial impact
• How this crisis compares to Colony Collapse Disorder
• The role of Varroa mites, pesticides, a...