Episode 180 – The Pennsylvania Bee Law (Part 2) HB 1277: Plant and Pollinator Protection Act 🐝⚖️
This episode is a follow-up to last week’s discussion about Pennsylvania’s proposed bee legislation. We move from the 2024 Senate Bill 1198 to the newly filed 2025 House Bill 1277, breaking down what changed, why it matters, and how the bill expands the state’s authority over beekeepers.What’s Inside This Episode:What happened to the 2024 Senate Bill and why it expiredHow HB 1277 was reintroduced with stronger enforcement languageExpanded licensing that now includes hobbyist beekeepersWhat “risk-based inspections” really mean and why they are undefinedThe department’s new powers to enter property and destroy hivesHow fines, fees, and licensing revenue now fund enforcement directlyWhy “exclusive jurisdiction” language limits local flexibilityWhat small-scale beekeepers can do before this moves forwardWhy Listen to This Episode?You’ll get a clear explanation of how Pennsylvania’s new bill evolved, what it means for local beekeepers, and why it could set the tone for future pollinator legislation across the country.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout 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 Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/honeySupport 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 179 – The Pennsylvania Bee Law: What Beekeepers Need to Know 🐝⚖️
This episode takes a closer look at Pennsylvania’s proposed Plant and Pollinator Protection Act (SB 1198) and why it’s raising concerns among beekeepers across the country. I break down how it rewrites the long-standing Bee Law, what new powers it gives the Department of Agriculture, and why even backyard beekeepers could be affected.What’s Inside This Episode:What SB 1198 actually proposes and why it mattersHow it expands licensing and inspection powersWhat “risk-based inspections” could mean for hobbyistsHow unregistered hives could be seized or destroyedThe shift from a $10 registration to open-ended licensing feesNew record-keeping and reporting requirementsWhy this legislation could set a national precedentWhy Listen to This Episode?You’ll learn what’s buried in the fine print of SB 1198, how it could reshape state-level beekeeping regulation, and what actions Pennsylvania beekeepers should take before this bill advances further.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout 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 Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/honeySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In this Bee Buzz episode I tackle common late-season questions about treating Varroa mites before winter, dealing with moisture and ventilation, replacing old comb, wrapping hives, and whether it’s safe to move colonies near a windbreak this time of year. We also look at what “too much insulation” really means, how to manage condensation safely, and why mite counts in early spring matter more than any single fall treatment.What’s Inside This Episode:How late you can safely treat for Varroa before winterWhy most mite treatments don’t work well during clusteringWhether to treat for Nosema or other diseases in fallHow to tell if mite levels are low enough to survive winterWhen and how to replace dark, old comb safelyWhether tilting the hive helps manage condensationHow much ventilation is too much in cold climatesWhen to wrap hives, move colonies, or open them midwinterWhy Listen to This Episode?It’s a straight-talking Bee Buzz focused on the realities of overwintering, from managing mites and moisture to balancing insulation and airflow for stronger colonies next spring.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout 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 Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/honeySupport 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 177 – The Bee Buzz (29): Drone Comb, Plastic Foundation & Late-Season Hive Tips 🐝
In this Bee Buzz episode I answer listener questions about using drone comb to reduce Varroa without chemicals, getting bees to accept plastic foundation, managing weak colonies before winter, handling late season queen loss, and how to think about brood frames, pollen patties, and uncapped nectar as the season winds down.What’s Inside This Episode:How drone comb helps pull Varroa mites out of the colonyWays to coat or prep plastic foundation for better acceptanceWhen to combine weak colonies before winter hitsWhat to do if your colony goes queenless late in the yearWhy removing unused brood boxes saves energy and stressWhen pollen patties hurt more than they helpHow to move honey frames safely between coloniesWhy genetics beat feeding when it comes to overwintering successWhy Listen to This Episode?It’s a practical Bee Buzz packed with seasonal advice, field experience, and honest talk about what really works when prepping hives for winter.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout 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 Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/honeySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In part two of my conversation with Minnesota beekeeper Peg DeSanto, we continue unpacking the science of overwintering and explore the research behind condensation, CO₂ balance, and hive insulation. Peg explains why matching hive size to colony strength matters, how smaller overwintering spaces improve survival, and how her Hive Hugger project was born from frustration, science, and a little bit of love.What’s Inside This Episode:Why bees can freeze even with honey inches awayThe real cause behind “starvation” deaths in winterHow matching hive space to colony size improves survivalWhat Seely’s natural cavity research reveals about hive volumeHow CO₂ and humidity help bees regulate metabolismHow the Hive Hugger insulation system was developed and testedWhy insulation values (R30 top, R10 sides) are critical for cold regionsWhy Listen to This Episode?You will hear the rest of Peg’s story and learn how modern insulation research and natural bee behavior combine to create a more effective, science-based approach to overwintering.Limited offer at https://hivehugger.com , use code: BK4N for 11% off.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 Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/honeySupport 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.
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