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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Around the Yard:

• Cooler Weather: Fall has started peeking around the corner. What do we do?
• Honey Harvest for Summer: Luke and Steve take the last of our summer honey.
• Open Feeding: Is it the time for open feeding yet?
• Illinois USDA: Luke and Steve are working with the USDA... providing small hive beetles.

In the News

• Newly Engineered Yeast Makes Better Pollen: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09431-y
• Honeybee Disease Impacts Flight: It appers that different diseases impact how far our honeybees will fly. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-hidden-honey-bee-viruses-flight.html

Honeybee Hotline:

• Can You Feed Maple Syrup: We talk about if this is a problem!
• Taking Honey Leaving Deep and Medium: What does it take to overwinter in a deep and a medium? Are there other issues?

Droning On:

• What are we doing in the next few weeks?
• Luke's New Trip: Luke goes overseas to check out an overseas apiary!

Tune in to Episode 34 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

Around the Yard:

• Pulling Honey: Luke and Steve talk about the struggles of staying cool in the bee yard.
• Fall Prep: Is it already time to feed our bees for winter? What treatments do we use?

In the News

• Big News From Luke

Honeybee Hotline:

• How Long Does a Field Bee Spend Away: We talk mabout when to treat, what we are treating with, and how useful are the new OA boards?
• Queen Introduction Problem: Our tips and tricks on introducing a new queen.
• Laying Worker vs New Queen: How do you tell the difference between a laying worker and a newly mated queen?
• Doomed to Always Have Hive Beetles?: If you have hive beetles once are they always at that hive?

Tune in to Episode 33 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

Around the Yard:

• Staying Cool: Luke and Steve talk about the struggles of staying cool in the bee yard.
• Time to Feed?: Is it already time to feed our bees for winter?

Honeybee Hotline:

• Hive Treatments: We talk mabout when to treat, what we are treating with, and how useful are the new OA boards?
• Queen Introduction: Our tips and tricks on introducing a new queen.

Droning On:

• Extracting Honey: Luke and Steve are busy getting ready to extract honey.
• Problems Running a Beekeeping Business: Luke shares some of his struggles running a beekeeping business.

Tune in to Episode 32 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