Beekeeping For Newbees

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 d...

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 ...

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 mana...

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 ...

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 wh...

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 balanc...

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...

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 using the therapeutic power of hone...

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 in hand this time of year.

What’s I...

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 over 20 questions answered.

What’...

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 replace frames
• Signs your bee...

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 need feeding—or if you’re w...

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 ...