The light and the leaves are both saying Autumn has started. Our winter bees are already emerging and there are things we can do to give them their best chance. In today's episode I'm talking about the things I'm getting done to get ready for the bees journey through Winter.
kind regards to you all in every kind of weather,
Leigh
 
Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives <a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918'>see Ep 122</a>

*<a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918'>Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive</a>"*
A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for you.
Bill Hesbach's website, with links to his articles etc
<a href='https://www.wingdancehoney.com/about'>https://www.wingdancehoney.com/about</a>

 
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple'>https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! 
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show  please sign up today: <a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple'>https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh has spent the last 16 years keeping a self-sustaining hobby apiary. She enjoys helping fellow beekeepers get off the purchased-package treadmill by introducing backyard queen-rearing via specialty splits and alternatives to non-stop chemical treatments. After sixteen years maintaining fully treatment-free hives, Leigh now practices a hybrid approach that blends Varroa-resistant genetics with organic tools for thriving bees and minimal use of treatments. She enjoys sharing strategies with bee clubs across the country via zoom, speaking on specialty splits (so you never have to buy a package again), simple frame-based queen rearing, requeening approaches and ways to increase VSH genetics in your own backyard. Leigh’s podcast Beekeeping at Five Apple—with over 300K downloads— makes these and other topics available free, anytime.

The light and the leaves are both saying Autumn has started. Our winter bees are already emerging and there are things we can do to give them their best chance. In today's episode I'm talking about the things I'm getting done to get ready for the bees journey through Winter. kind regards to you all in every kind of weather, Leigh Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives see Ep 122 *Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive"* A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for you. Bill Hesbach's website, with links to his articles etc https://www.wingdancehoney.com/about Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free. https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple In addition to huge gratitude, you get: Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions Input on the podcast topics Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! If you can support the show please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia. Host Leigh has spent the last 16 years keeping a self-sustaining hobby apiary. She enjoys helping fellow beekeepers get off the purchased-package treadmill by introducing backyard queen-rearing via specialty splits and alternatives to non-stop chemical treatments. After sixteen years maintaining fully treatment-free hives, Leigh now practices a hybrid approach that blends Varroa-resistant genetics with organic tools for thriving bees and minimal use of treatments. She enjoys sharing strategies with bee clubs across the country via zoom, speaking on specialty splits (so you never have to buy a package again), simple frame-based queen rearing, requeening approaches and ways to increase VSH genetics in your own backyard. Leigh’s podcast Beekeeping at Five Apple—with over 300K downloads— makes these and other topics available free, anytime.

The light and the leaves are both saying Autumn has started. Our winter bees are already emerging and there are things we can do to give them their best chance. In today's episode I'm talking about the things I'm getting done to get ready for the bees journey through Winter.
kind regards to you all in every kind of weather,
Leigh
&nbsp;
Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918" rel="noopener noreferrer">see Ep 122</a>

*<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive</a>"*
A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for you.
Bill Hesbach's website, with links to his articles etc
<a href="https://www.wingdancehoney.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.wingdancehoney.com/about</a>

&nbsp;
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a&nbsp;Friend of Five Apple&nbsp;on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show&nbsp; please sign up today: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh has spent the last 16 years keeping a self-sustaining hobby apiary. She enjoys helping fellow beekeepers get off the purchased-package treadmill by introducing backyard queen-rearing via specialty splits and alternatives to non-stop chemical treatments. After sixteen years maintaining fully treatment-free hives, Leigh now practices a hybrid approach that blends Varroa-resistant genetics with organic tools for thriving bees and minimal use of treatments. She enjoys sharing strategies with bee clubs across the country via zoom, speaking on specialty splits (so you never have to buy a package again), simple frame-based queen rearing, requeening approaches and ways to increase VSH genetics in your own backyard. Leigh’s podcast Beekeeping at Five Apple—with over 300K downloads— makes these and other topics available free, anytime.

Ep167 Autumn Says Get Ready

Found a research article that was food for thought on how warmer autumns may be having effects on our bees that aren't so good: creating smaller late-winter clusters by increased wear and tear on the precious winter bees who should not be as active as the temps drive them to be. But also, it goes into novel solutions (well, not novel in Canada but novel in more Southern climes) to help. Do backyard beekeepers have any options to help? I do some thinking aloud about all that and pondering on an unexpected potential benefit of insulation perhaps?



Here is the original study if you take those straight-up-no-chaser (looking at you Susan S! ;-) : <a href='https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8'>https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8</a>
For a reader friendly overview that will help you then dive into the research paper: <a href='https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/'>https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/</a>
Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives <a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918'>see Ep 122</a>

*<a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918'>Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive</a>"*
A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for .


 
Wishing you all a wonderful week and let me know if there are topics about bees you have been wondering about and it's a great excuse for me to do a geek deep dive into research on it! —kind regards, Leigh
 

Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple'>https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! 
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show  please sign up today: <a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple'>https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.
Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Found a research article that was food for thought on how warmer autumns may be having effects on our bees that aren't so good: creating smaller late-winter clusters by increased wear and tear on the precious winter bees who should not be as active as the temps drive them to be. But also, it goes into novel solutions (well, not novel in Canada but novel in more Southern climes) to help. Do backyard beekeepers have any options to help? I do some thinking aloud about all that and pondering on an unexpected potential benefit of insulation perhaps? Here is the original study if you take those straight-up-no-chaser (looking at you Susan S! ;-) : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8 For a reader friendly overview that will help you then dive into the research paper: https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/ Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives see Ep 122 *Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive"* A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for . Wishing you all a wonderful week and let me know if there are topics about bees you have been wondering about and it's a great excuse for me to do a geek deep dive into research on it! —kind regards, Leigh Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free. https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple In addition to huge gratitude, you get: Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions Input on the podcast topics Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! If you can support the show please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia. Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too. Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Found a research article that was food for thought on how warmer autumns may be having effects on our bees that aren't so good: creating smaller late-winter clusters by increased wear and tear on the precious winter bees who should not be as active as the temps drive them to be. But also, it goes into novel solutions (well, not novel in Canada but novel in more Southern climes) to help. Do backyard beekeepers have any options to help? I do some thinking aloud about all that and pondering on an unexpected potential benefit of insulation perhaps?



Here is the original study if you take those straight-up-no-chaser (looking at you Susan S! ;-) : <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8</a>
For a reader friendly overview that will help you then dive into the research paper: <a href="https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/</a>
Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918" rel="noopener noreferrer">see Ep 122</a>

*<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive</a>"*
A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for .


&nbsp;
Wishing you all a wonderful week and let me know if there are topics about bees you have been wondering about and it's a great excuse for me to do a geek deep dive into research on it! —kind regards, Leigh
&nbsp;

Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a&nbsp;Friend of Five Apple&nbsp;on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show&nbsp; please sign up today: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.
Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep166 Warmer autumns are good for bees right? Turns out, not really.

Ep166 Warmer autumns are good for bees right? Turn out, not really.
Found a research article that was food for thought on how warmer autumns may be having effects on our bees that aren't so good: creating smaller late-winter clusters by increased wear and tear on the precious winter bees who should not be as active as the temps drive them to be. But also, it goes into novel solutions (well, not novel in Canada but novel in more Southern climes) to help. Do backyard beekeepers have any options to help? I do some thinking aloud about all that and pondering on an unexpected potential benefit of insulation perhaps?



Here is the original study if you take those straight-up-no-chaser (looking at you Susan S! ;-) : <a href='https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8'>https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8</a>
For a reader friendly overview that will help you then dive into the research paper: <a href='https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/'>https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/</a>
Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives <a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918'>see Ep 122</a>

*<a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918'>Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive</a>"*
A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for .


 
Wishing you all a wonderful week and let me know if there are topics about bees you have been wondering about and it's a great excuse for me to do a geek deep dive into research on it! —kind regards, Leigh
 

Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple'>https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! 
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show  please sign up today: <a href='https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple'>https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.
Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep166 Warmer autumns are good for bees right? Turn out, not really. Found a research article that was food for thought on how warmer autumns may be having effects on our bees that aren't so good: creating smaller late-winter clusters by increased wear and tear on the precious winter bees who should not be as active as the temps drive them to be. But also, it goes into novel solutions (well, not novel in Canada but novel in more Southern climes) to help. Do backyard beekeepers have any options to help? I do some thinking aloud about all that and pondering on an unexpected potential benefit of insulation perhaps? Here is the original study if you take those straight-up-no-chaser (looking at you Susan S! ;-) : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8 For a reader friendly overview that will help you then dive into the research paper: https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/ Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives see Ep 122 *Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive"* A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for . Wishing you all a wonderful week and let me know if there are topics about bees you have been wondering about and it's a great excuse for me to do a geek deep dive into research on it! —kind regards, Leigh Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free. https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple In addition to huge gratitude, you get: Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions Input on the podcast topics Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! If you can support the show please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia. Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too. Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep166 Warmer autumns are good for bees right? Turn out, not really.
Found a research article that was food for thought on how warmer autumns may be having effects on our bees that aren't so good: creating smaller late-winter clusters by increased wear and tear on the precious winter bees who should not be as active as the temps drive them to be. But also, it goes into novel solutions (well, not novel in Canada but novel in more Southern climes) to help. Do backyard beekeepers have any options to help? I do some thinking aloud about all that and pondering on an unexpected potential benefit of insulation perhaps?



Here is the original study if you take those straight-up-no-chaser (looking at you Susan S! ;-) : <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55327-8</a>
For a reader friendly overview that will help you then dive into the research paper: <a href="https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/03/25/honey-bees-at-risk-for-colony-collapse-from-longer-warmer-fall-seasons/</a>
Also: for my past episode on Condensing Hives vs Ventilating Hives <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918" rel="noopener noreferrer">see Ep 122</a>

*<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts/ep-122-new-setup-117846918" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ep 122: New Insulation Setup and The "Condensing Hive</a>"*
A deeper dive into the why and how of the insulation setup I started using several years ago, the condensing-hive concept. For the patrons, find the links to everything mentioned in the show, and the video I made for .


&nbsp;
Wishing you all a wonderful week and let me know if there are topics about bees you have been wondering about and it's a great excuse for me to do a geek deep dive into research on it! —kind regards, Leigh
&nbsp;

Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a&nbsp;Friend of Five Apple&nbsp;on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show&nbsp; please sign up today: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.
Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep166 Warmer autumns are good for bees right? Turn out, not really.

Ep165: Bee Radio Reader "Reflections on the Past Seasons" by Richard Wahl (Off the Wahl Beekeeping Column, Nov 2025. Read by permission of Bee Culture magazine. )
Today it's a radio reader episode on learning to reflect on the past in a way that makes it useful for the future. As well as a bit of clarification on the last episode.
Link to the article: <a href='https://beeculture.com/off-the-wahl-beekeeping-46/'>https://beeculture.com/off-the-wahl-beekeeping-46/</a>
Link to another good on in the same issue: <a href='https://beeculture.com/minding-your-bees-and-cues-50/'>https://beeculture.com/minding-your-bees-and-cues-50/</a> Becky Masterman & Bridget Mendel on the fascinating Nasonov gland in "Come Hither."
Both full articles are available free online. And while you are there you can get access to the whole archive with a digital subscription for as low as $24. <a href='https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/bee-culture'>https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/bee-culture</a>
Wishing you all a wonderful week and sure hope I'll get to meet a lot of you at the 2027 North American Honey Bee Expo (Louisville, Kentucky Jan 7-9) where I'm delighted to be a speaker for one of their smaller venue "Community Series" talks. I'll likely be talking about specialty splits (but of course!) ;-)
kind regards, Leigh

 
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
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Input on the podcast topics
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Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! 
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Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.
Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep165: Bee Radio Reader "Reflections on the Past Seasons" by Richard Wahl (Off the Wahl Beekeeping Column, Nov 2025. Read by permission of Bee Culture magazine. ) Today it's a radio reader episode on learning to reflect on the past in a way that makes it useful for the future. As well as a bit of clarification on the last episode. Link to the article: https://beeculture.com/off-the-wahl-beekeeping-46/ Link to another good on in the same issue: https://beeculture.com/minding-your-bees-and-cues-50/ Becky Masterman & Bridget Mendel on the fascinating Nasonov gland in "Come Hither." Both full articles are available free online. And while you are there you can get access to the whole archive with a digital subscription for as low as $24. https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/bee-culture Wishing you all a wonderful week and sure hope I'll get to meet a lot of you at the 2027 North American Honey Bee Expo (Louisville, Kentucky Jan 7-9) where I'm delighted to be a speaker for one of their smaller venue "Community Series" talks. I'll likely be talking about specialty splits (but of course!) ;-) kind regards, Leigh Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free. https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple In addition to huge gratitude, you get: Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions Input on the podcast topics Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! If you can support the show please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia. Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too. Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep165: Bee Radio Reader "Reflections on the Past Seasons" by Richard Wahl (Off the Wahl Beekeeping Column, Nov 2025. Read by permission of Bee Culture magazine. )
Today it's a radio reader episode on learning to reflect on the past in a way that makes it useful for the future. As well as a bit of clarification on the last episode.
Link to the article: <a href="https://beeculture.com/off-the-wahl-beekeeping-46/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://beeculture.com/off-the-wahl-beekeeping-46/</a>
Link to another good on in the same issue: <a href="https://beeculture.com/minding-your-bees-and-cues-50/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://beeculture.com/minding-your-bees-and-cues-50/</a> Becky Masterman &amp; Bridget Mendel on the fascinating Nasonov gland in "Come Hither."
Both full articles are available free online. And while you are there you can get access to the whole archive with a digital subscription for as low as $24. <a href="https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/bee-culture" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/bee-culture</a>
Wishing you all a wonderful week and sure hope I'll get to meet a lot of you at the 2027 North American Honey Bee Expo (Louisville, Kentucky Jan 7-9) where I'm delighted to be a speaker for one of their smaller venue "Community Series" talks. I'll likely be talking about specialty splits (but of course!) ;-)
kind regards, Leigh

&nbsp;
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a&nbsp;Friend of Five Apple&nbsp;on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>
<ul>
<li>
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
</li>
<li>
Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
</li>
<li>
Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
</li>
<li>
Occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
</li>
<li>
Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
</li>
<li>
Input on the podcast topics
</li>
<li>
Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
If you can support the show&nbsp; please sign up today: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple</a>

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.
Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free methods. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.
Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.

Ep165: Bee Radio Reader "Reflections on the Past Seasons"

Random items from the conference, geeking out on gut microbes...

Random items from the conference, geeking out on gut microbes...

After the NCSBA conference, testing, gut microbes... (031)

Selections from Norman E Gary, chapter 8 of Hive & The Honey Bee (Dadant).
Also:
The observation hive I’m trying out:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/19583341/indoor-full-size-bee-keeping-observation
Michael Bush on Observation hives: 
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm

Selections from Norman E Gary, chapter 8 of Hive & The Honey Bee (Dadant). Also: The observation hive I’m trying out: https://www.etsy.com/listing/19583341/indoor-full-size-bee-keeping-observation Michael Bush on Observation hives: http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm

Selections from Norman E Gary, chapter 8 of Hive &amp; The Honey Bee (Dadant).
Also:
The observation hive I’m trying out:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/19583341/indoor-full-size-bee-keeping-observation
Michael Bush on Observation hives: 
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm

Reading: Activities and Behavior of Honey Bees (030)

Gadget Garage with nice robber screen and other handy things (thanks Jeff!) https://youtu.be/xWA49Oy5Skw Photo of the Z fold hardware cloth robber screen similar to what I use — especially on all nucs: http://thebeehivejive.com/2017/02/22/make-simple-robbing-screens-now-get-ahead-summer/ Thanks for listening! Leigh

Gadget Garage with nice robber screen and other handy things (thanks Jeff!) https://youtu.be/xWA49Oy5Skw Photo of the Z fold hardware cloth robber screen similar to what I use — especially on all nucs: http://thebeehivejive.com/2017/02/22/make-simple-robbing-screens-now-get-ahead-summer/ Thanks for listening! Leigh

Avoiding hive robbers of the bee and human kind (029)

I’m happy to report good news on the two hives that had EFB. Also: Late summer is a critical decision/action window for your hives. Some things to consider, plan and prevent...

I’m happy to report good news on the two hives that had EFB. Also: Late summer is a critical decision/action window for your hives. Some things to consider, plan and prevent...

EFB recovery; Late Summer is critical to overwintering, more. (028)

Top bars, natural comb, podcasting errors, hives without a Queen (apparently), queens from swarm cells — Listener Mail edition. First part recorded in the morning, 2nd part late at night....you may notice the different energy tone, haha! ;-) Thanks so much for listening! Leigh

Top bars, natural comb, podcasting errors, hives without a Queen (apparently), queens from swarm cells — Listener Mail edition. First part recorded in the morning, 2nd part late at night....you may notice the different energy tone, haha! ;-) Thanks so much for listening! Leigh

Listener Mail: Top bars, hives without queens, swarm cells to nucs (027)

Continuing with the reading of a selection on Summer and Fall bee plants.

Continuing with the reading of a selection on Summer and Fall bee plants.

Summer bee plants, selected reading 2/2, Caron/Connor (026)

Summer bee plants, selected reading 1, Caron/Connor (025)

Can you have too many new queens? Yes! But who can refuse the challenge to give it a try? Not me. Alternative title: Why my post office knows me by name....

Can you have too many new queens? Yes! But who can refuse the challenge to give it a try? Not me. Alternative title: Why my post office knows me by name....

How Many?!?! Adventures with virgin queens (024)

European foulbrood is a bummer to discover in a hive. It could be worse though. Talking through some options.

European foulbrood is a bummer to discover in a hive. It could be worse though. Talking through some options.

European Foulbrood (023)

Bee Health Guru App, Moving Bees, more (022)

Talk, tips &amp; how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the North Carolina mountains of Southern Appalachia.

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Talk, tips & how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the North Carolina mountains of Southern Appalachia.

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