The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast

BC - Improvising

For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss different ways that they have improvised various aspects of their beekeeping practices.  This type of 'out of the box' thinking can come in handy in a pinch, and just might save the day.  Tune in now to learn more, and let us know some of your own improvised tricks!

 

(Original Air Date: 11/9/22)

BC - Swarming with Revelations

In today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John discuss some new and exciting research revolving around honey bee swarms.  Plus, a few other odd occurrences in beekeeping news from around the world. Tune in now to learn more...

 

(Original Air Date: Nov 2nd, 2022)

BC - Always Learning

We should always strive to keep learning, putting ourselves out there, and gaining new experiences.  So, for this week's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie details some details about her recent trip to Missouri for a beekeeping seminar, and her takeaways from the experience.  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: Oct 26th, 2022)

BC - Procrastination

We all have those moments, some more than others, when we have the best of intentions to get something accomplished... but it can wait until tomorrow.  Tomorrow becomes next week, or even next month.  In beekeeping we often have these moments as other distractions seem to take precedence.  However, there are times when things really can't be put off.  And, in those instances, if we ignore our responsibility and things go awry... we can only blame ourselves.  Tune in now to hear more and have a laugh at our expense... 

(Original Air Date: Oct 19th, 2022)

BC - Unpredictable Nature

In this episode of our Beekeeper Chat series, Nathalie and John discuss how unpredictable nature can be, from weather and climate change, to natural disasters, this all has an effect on your beekeeping.  How can you guard against these unexpected events and ensure your colony has what it needs to ride the waves and come out healthy on the other side?  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: Oct 12th, 2022)

BC - Imported vs Native Bees

Do imported Honey Bees actually outcompete our Native Bees?  This week Nathalie and John approach this evolving question first from a rational standpoint, and then start digging in deeper with a little bit of scientific backing.  Could we be unknowingly be doing a disservice to our local environment?  Are there ways we can help to offset the issue if there truly is a problem?  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: Oct 5th, 2022)

BC - Beeing Random

Clearly there was no clear path for this week's Beekeeper Chat as the pair jump from topic to topic with their only goal being to try and stay focused on Bees!  John gives an update on his two hives, and the status of the colony from the bear attack.  They also discuss the initial plans on how to help overwinter this colony with a modification of the topbar conversion hive, and John points out that the bees agree with him on some of the flaws with the molded plastic nuc boxes.  Plus, a new article in Bee Culture creates a stir... Tune in now to learn more!

(Original Air Date: Sept 21st, 2022)

BC - Mentorship and Apprenticeship

Today Nathalie and John discuss the pros and cons of both being a mentor, and being an apprentice.  As with anything, you get out of it what you put into it, and it all starts with choosing wisely.  Have you ever considered apprenticing along with someone, or do you have what it takes to be a mentor to someone else?  Tune in now to learn more about how to make the best of these experiences  regardless which role you find yourself in...

(Original Air Date: Sept 14th, 2022)

BC - Queen Longevity

For today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss new research into h. saltator ant queens which is helping to reveal how queens in a superorganism are able to sustain such long lifespans.  With ants, termites, and honey bees being so closely related, could this also help to shed light on why our own queen bees are able to live for so long despite the great energy demand of constantly reproducing offspring?  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: Sept 7th, 2022)

BC - A What If Scenario

In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss the pros and cons of attempting to give a hive more ventilation during a heatwave, and John gives us an update on the Bear situation.  Plus, the pair discuss a "What If" scenario where someday there might be a mite treatment that has zero negative effects on the bees themselves.  Would that change things, and would it actually be beneficial to the bees?

(Original Air Date: Aug 31st, 2022)