Episode 13 - Winter Feeding, Winterizing, Hive Beetles, Fall Honey, Queen Transfer, Bald Faced Hornets, Crystalized Honey, Wax Processing, and Propolis

Welcome to episode 42 where we talk about our statistics for the last year and our plans in the new one. We talk about our aparies, what we will be doing, and how we plan to tackle some of these new challenges.  Thank you for season 2 and we look forward to seeing you season 3!   Randy Oliver 2025 Research Roundup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DT2HTyF2-k North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

14 Tammi 59min

Welcome to episode 41 where we talk a bit about the weather, but because we don't have a lot going on in the yard, we are going to run down our gift buying guide for 2026! We hope everyone has an excellent holiday season.   Randy Oliver 2025 Research Roundup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DT2HTyF2-k North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

11 Joulu 202554min

I know, two episodes in two weeks? Well, episode 40 is here, and this one is big. We sat down with Dr. Jeff Pettis, former President of Apimondia and one of the world's leading honey bee researchers, for an in-depth conversation about the Tropilaelaps mite—the parasitic threat looming over global beekeeping. In this episode: • What Tropilaelaps mites are and how they differ from Varroa • Why they spread so rapidly and how countries currently battling them (like South Korea) are coping • What would happen if Tropilaelaps arrived in the United States—the realistic short- and long-term impacts • Early detection, containment strategies, and the U.S. preparedness gap • What beekeepers can do right now to stay informed and ready This is one of our most important interviews to date, offering clear-eyed insight from a scientist who has studied global bee health for decades. Tune in, learn what's coming, and help shape the conversation about protecting honey bees in North America.   Apimondia Tropilaelaps Mite Talk: https://www.apimondia.org/mites-webinar.html North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

26 Marras 202549min

This week we dig into some of the most important tasks heading into the colder months. We cover practical fall preparation, what to expect with late-season cutouts, and how to price and install an observation hive for schools, businesses, and homeowners. Whether you're tightening up your hives for winter or planning new educational opportunities for next year, this episode offers clear, experience-based guidance you can put to work right away. Listen now and stay ahead of the season.   North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

20 Marras 20251h 5min

It's the Beekeeping Buddies Halloween Special! Luke and Steve dive into the spookier side of beekeeping from bees starting WW3, to the mornful swarm, frakenbees and more! We'll talk about our fall preparations and some interesting chunk comb we were able to sample, and answer some Honeybee Hotline questions. We hope you'll tune in as our buddy this episode!   North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

29 Loka 202553min

We have broken 4,000 listens and want to thank everyone for taking some time to listen to us talk about our passion, honey bees. For this episode we take a break from the normal format of the show to interview a Beekeeping Buddy of our own, Randy McCaffrey better known as the 628 Dirt Rooster! We talk about beekeeping, how different areas do things, and learn the important lesson of how hobby beekeeping is a way... of... life! We hope you all enjoy this special episode and thanks again for being a buddy! 628 Dirt Rooster Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@628DirtRooster North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

15 Loka 20251h 33min

Around the Yard: Dry Midwest Fall: Fall is here, the hot and dry have not gone away. Details on Fall Feeding: Recipe for Luke's fall feed is: 4.5 lbs sugar, 0.5 lbs pollen sub, 7 oz water mixed together with a mixer of some sort and put into ziplock baggie. How to Know if to Feed: Steve and Luke talk about how we measure hives to know if they need feed. Start Thinking of Nucs: Luke and Steve suggest you start thinking about nucs for 2026. In the News Vandescona Mite Treatment: dsRNA treatment for mites?! Honeybee Hotline: Stick Up Your Hands!: How to manage robbing. Again?: How long to wait until I place a hive where one had been robbed? What to do with a small hive: 3 frame hive, can it make it through winter? Droning On: Fall Festivals: Luke talks about fall festivals, and what we make Cutouts: Steve and Luke talk about troubles with cutouts!   Tune in to Episode 36 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.   Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

30 Syys 20251h 3min

Around the Yard: Dry Midwest Fall: Fall is mostly here, but is sure is dry. Details on Another Cutout: Luke and Steve have another fall cutout. Luke Returns From Spain: Luke goes to Spain... and finds few pollinators? Steve and Luke Review Spainish Honey: We review some honey from Spain I brought back. In the News Varroa Mites make it to S. Australia: Varroa mites are now spreading to S. Australia. HMF Correction: Luke has a short correction to HMF. Honeybee Hotline: Bee Identification: Variation inside a honeybee hive. Comb Color: Why is there different comb colors? What to do with a small hive: 3 frame hive, can it make it through winter? Droning On: What are we doing in the next few weeks? What to do with honey frames?   Tune in to Episode 35 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.   Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/ Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8 Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/ Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5 Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/ Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

16 Syys 20251h