Episode 168 – Spring vs Fall Pollen: What Bees Really Need (And When) 🐝🌼🍂
This episode focuses on the difference between spring and fall pollen and how seasonal shifts impact bee nutrition. We look at what bees need to raise brood, how they build fat reserves for winter, and why feeding is not the same in every season. At the end of the episode, I share my personal story of 9/11, where I was that day in DC, what I saw, and how it unfolded.What’s Inside This Episode:Tree pollen, brood buildup, and spring protein needsThe role of high-lipid fall pollen in building winter fat bodiesWhy pollen patties are not a one-size-fits-all solutionWhat to do when your fall flow never arrivesHow feeding mistakes can backfire going into winterA first-hand 9/11 account from DC and how it shaped the dayThe renovation timing that kept my mother away from the Pentagon impact zoneWhy Listen to This Episode?You will gain a clearer understanding of how bee nutrition changes by season and hear a first-hand account of 9/11 that offers perspective and reflection.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Our Sponsors:* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 167 – The Beltsville Bee Lab Shutdown: What’s Really Going On 🏛️🐝
News of the USDA Beltsville Bee Lab closing has sparked controversy, but what’s fact and what’s fearmongering? In this episode, we dig into the proposed relocation of the nation’s oldest bee research lab and what it means for diagnostics, research, and beekeepers like you. We also take a hard look at the usual claims about bee declines, climate blame, pesticide hysteria, and what the real numbers say about colony health. This one might ruffle some feathers, but it’s a conversation worth having.What’s Inside This Episode:The truth about Beltsville’s shutdown and what might happen nextWhy moving lab services doesn’t mean losing themCan private industry or nonprofits step in and do it better?Debunking lazy climate arguments with real-world contextGlobal honey bee colony counts and why they’re risingThe almond industry, monoculture problems, and managed pollinationWhy honey bees are the invasive species nobody talks aboutReframing decline: how growth and loss can coexistWhy Listen to This Episode?This isn’t just about one lab. It’s about who controls the narrative and how beekeepers get their information. If you’re tired of politics clouding science and fear replacing facts, this episode clears the smoke and brings things back to reality.More Info:🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 Join the Discord community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.Our Sponsors:* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 166 – Oxalic Acid and Mite Madness: What’s Changing, What’s Not 🧪🐝
Oxalic acid has long been a trusted treatment for Varroa mites, but recent label updates are causing confusion about dosage, legality, and safety. In this episode, we talk through what the updated EPA labels for Api-Bioxal and EZ-OX actually say, why generic wood bleach is not a legal alternative, and how much is too much when vaporizing OA. We also dig into what studies show about dose vs. efficacy, why more isn’t always better, and what to watch out for when combining treatments. If you’ve heard people say “the label changed,” this episode breaks it all down.What’s Inside This Episode:Api-Bioxal now approved at 4g per brood box — what that actually meansEZ-OX’s label vs. Api-Bioxal: different brands, different limitsWhy you can’t legally use generic wood bleach for OA vaporizingWhat new research shows about 5g+ doses and delayed colony lossesThe risk of vaporizing OA with honey supers still onProper PPE and how inhaling vaporized OA can damage your lungsWhy rotating treatments is more important than everApiguard vs. Apivar confusion: why amitraz resistance is important to understandWhy Listen to This Episode?Whether you're brand new to OA or a seasoned vaporizer, the treatment landscape is changing. This episode helps you stay compliant, effective, and safe while keeping your bees healthy and your colonies thriving.More Info:🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 Join the Discord community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% globally ranked podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.Our Sponsors:* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 165 – Fall Swarming: Why You Still Need to Watch Closely 🍂🐝
Fall swarms aren’t just a myth, and in some areas, they’re happening right now. While most beekeepers associate swarming with spring, certain late-season conditions can trigger it all over again. In this episode, we break down what those triggers are, how to recognize the signs, and what to do if your bees get the fall swarm bug. We also clear up the confusion between fall bearding and true swarm behavior, and talk about what really happens when you see queen cells in September.What’s Inside This Episode:What causes fall swarming and why it’s more than just a lack of spaceHow reduced brood pheromone and strong nectar flow can set the stageWhy fall pollen may not stimulate brood the way spring pollen doesWhy bearding is not the same as swarming but can still be a clueSwarm vs. supercedure vs. emergency cells and how to tell them apartThe dangers of fall swarms for both the swarm and the parent colonyWhat to do if you catch a fall swarm or miss it entirelyManaging space and drawn comb during the fall flowWhy Listen to This Episode?Understanding the subtle signals of a fall swarm can help you avoid losing a colony right before winter. This episode gives you the tools to recognize the warning signs and respond before it’s too late.More Info:🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 Join the Discord community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.Our Sponsors:* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 164 – Fall Flow and Winter Bees: How Nature Prepares the Colony for the Cold 🐝🍂
As the summer bees finish their work and the fall flow begins, the colony shifts gears. In this episode, we explore how the biology of the honey bee changes for winter, why the nutritional profile of fall forage is different from spring, and what that means for feeding decisions. We talk about cluster sizes, race-specific overwintering tendencies, CO₂ and ventilation in winter, and how to decide what is right for your bees rather than following blanket advice from others.What’s Inside This Episode:Quick update on yellow jacket and wasp trap testingHow to estimate honey yield from a full deepWhy ordering your 2026 bees early can save you money and stressThe shift from summer bees to winter bees and what changes biologicallyFall versus spring forage and how nutrient profiles match seasonal needsDeciding on cluster size based on bee race, climate, and goalsCO₂, ventilation, and keeping entrances open in winterWhy overwinter feeding should fit your bees and your specific conditionsWhy Listen to This Episode?If you want your colonies strong and ready for spring, understanding the biology and seasonal needs of winter bees is key. This episode gives you practical, fact-backed strategies you can adapt to your own bees, location, and goals.More Info:🐝 beekeepingfornewbees.com📘 bestbeekeepinggear.com🎥 youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🌱 thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Our Sponsors:* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Here we will discuss everything needed for new beekeepers to learn to keep honeybees including: Beekeeping tools, hive components, what to do and when, and every trick of the trade that we can think of. If you are new to beekeeping, this podcast is for you.
South Africa