Beekeeper Confidential | Bees & Beekeeping

Mandy shares her experience with extracting and relocating a feral colony that had been residing in the wall of an abandoned home. Her excitement turned to dread when she realized that the colony had an invasive beehive pest, Small Hive Beetle.

Last week Mandy visited the Apiary at Portland State University and spoke with Isabel Rummell, who is tasked with caring for the bees and supporting student involvement in the program. Mandy first met Isabel at Zenger Farm, here in Portland where Portland Urban Beekeepers keeps its club apiary. They hold work parties twice a month to beekeepers of all experience levels. When Mandy invited herself to the apiary at PSU Isabel generously accepted because she is one of the nicest people EVER. They inspected their 2 bee hives and sat down for a chat in one of the beautiful student plazas. In this interview Mandy shares one of her techniques to prevent bee stings that anyone can do (hint: it involves throwing things).

Each fall the Oregon State Beekeepers Association holds a gathering for beekeepers near and far. Mandy attended this year's conference with her microphone in tow and met up with local beekeeper, Rex McIntire. While they talked, Mandy and Rex enjoyed the sounds of live bluegrass music played by Caught Red Handed. They talked about bees, fishing, coffee, and pondered some of life's trickier situations. There was also special news bulletin from Mandy's friends at Bee Built! 

Mandy visited Nectar Creek Tap Room in Philomath, Oregon. YUM! Mandy has been an admirer of Nectar Creek session meads for years and she was so happy that they accepted her invite to be a guest on the show. She was greeted with a refreshing flight of Waggle, Clary Sage, Top Bar, and Nectarade all made on site in their production facility. Co-Owner Nick Lorenz and Mandy sat down for a chat and he told her all about how he and his brother Phillip have established themselves as leaders in the craft mead industry by rewriting the rule book on craft beverages by serving up unique, thoughtfully procured session meads that left her swooning for more.

What do crisis management for the acutely mentally ill and beekeeping have in common? More than you would think! In this episode I chat with Portland beekeeper & social worker Rachel Phariss. She has been working with bees for 4 years and has had some hilarious adventures along the way.

For episode notes, visit Mandy's blog at https://www.waggleworkspdx.com/blog

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Cover art by Meggyn Pomerleau

Produced in part by Maxwell Monty

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

This week Mandy talked with Byron the Bee Man, a commercial beekeeper from Louisiana. Byron got into bees when he was 18 and looking for work. His desire to learn and love for the bees has elevated him from working as a honey processor to saving bees all over his community and hauling bees across the country. His charismatic personality and hands on approach to working with the bees has brought him the attention of millions of viewers on social media.

For episode notes, visit Mandy's blog at https://www.waggleworkspdx.com/blog

Cover art by Meggyn Pomerleau

Produced in part by Maxwell Monty

Join Mandy in Ken's Portland apiary for a hive inspection. They talked frame construction, tasted honey, Ken shared a wealth of fascinating insights on Warre hives and their creator, Emile Warre, and they contemplate the question "can beekeeping really keep you out of the cafe?"

For episode notes, visit Mandy's blog at https://www.waggleworkspdx.com/blog

Cover art by Meggyn Pomerleau

Produced in part by Maxwell Monty

In this episode Mandy chats with her friend and fellow beekeeper, Wei Chow. They discussed swarm traps, brood diseases, mite treatments, and BEEKEEPER ANTHEMS.

For episode notes, visit Mandy's blog at https://www.waggleworkspdx.com/blog

Cover art by Meggyn Pomerleau

Produced in part by Maxwell Monty