Record-breaking heatwaves aren’t just hard on humans — they challenge your colonies too. In this episode, we talk through ways to support your bees during extreme summer temperatures. You’ll learn how hive ventilation works, what role water plays in cooling the colony, and why some popular summer hacks may do more harm than good.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why beekeeping forums are flooded with conflicting, often bad information
• How bees manage internal hive temps through fanning, evaporative cooling, and bearding
• A walkthrough of vented inner covers, screened bottom boards, and screened entrance reducers
• What we can (and can’t) learn from tree cavities and natural hive structures
• The critical importance of accessible water in summer heat
• Heat shielding: the wild way bees absorb and relocate thermal energy
• Why opening the hive for “extra ventilation” may backfire — and what to try instead
• A reminder that Varroa doesn’t take the summer off, and why low counts can still mean high viral load

Why Listen to This Episode?

If you’ve ever worried about your bees overheating or wondered how much intervention is too much, this episode offers practical advice and a calming reality check. You'll leave with a better understanding of what bees can handle and what they need from you.

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the Discord: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thinking about starting beekeeping next spring? This lighthearted but information-packed episode walks you through the full “gestation” process, from the initial idea of getting bees to the big delivery day. Whether you're still dreaming or already placing your order, we’ll break the season into trimesters and help you prepare every step of the way. From first tools to first inspections and even “bee nesting” behaviors, this episode is full of practical tips (and a few dad jokes) to get you ready for your brand-new colony.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Mapping your beekeeping journey from idea to installation
• What to expect in each “trimester” leading up to your first season
• The nesting phase: organizing gear and setting up your apiary
• Bee Day prep: sugar syrup, smoker checks, and installation timing
• Post-installation care and inspection best practices
• How to document early hive progress without fumbling with paper

Why Listen to This Episode?

Whether you're just toying with the idea or already knee-deep in gear, this episode gives you a practical timeline, helpful tools, and a humorous nudge to get your beekeeping plans in motion the right way.

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the Discord: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What’s the real deal with summer ventilation hacks? Should you remove entrance reducers? In this episode, I break down some bad advice floating around YouTube, walk through key updates to the online course platform, and share the growing list of experiments I’ll be running in 2026. If you’ve noticed fewer uploads lately, there’s a reason for that too.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why certain “ventilation tricks” can do more harm than good
• Real talk on hive entrances, reducers, and hardware cloth
• The new course platform and how it fixes major pain points
• Preview of upcoming experiments on feeding, queen excluders, ventilation, and mite testing
• DIY hive sensors and environmental tracking
• Life updates: wedding planning, grad school, and production delays

Why Listen to This Episode?

This episode gives you a transparent look at what’s working and what’s not when it comes to hive management, course development, and community support. If you're curious about what's ahead for 2026 or want a heads-up on common mistakes to avoid this summer, it’s all here.

Connect and Learn More:

🌐 Website: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Gear and blog site: https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

💬 Discord: https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

🫶 Nonprofit: https://thehealinghiveproject.org

📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

Support the Show:

☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the most common alternatives to the Langstroth hive, including Top Bar, Horizontal (Long Langstroth and Layens), and Warre hives. Each of these styles offers something different, from lower lifting demands to more natural comb construction. We cover how they work, who they’re best suited for, and what you need to consider before making a change — including frame support, extraction limitations, and realistic tradeoffs. This episode also includes a listener mention of how horizontal hives can provide better accessibility for disabled beekeepers.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why Langstroth remains the default hive for most beekeepers
• Key features of Top Bar hives
• The difference between Long Langstroth and Layens hives
• Pros and cons of horizontal hives for backyard beekeepers
• Warre hive history
• Accessibility considerations and why style choice should reflect your goals

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

📘 Read our articles: bestbeekeepinggear.com

🎥 YouTube channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the Discord: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we walk through practical honey extraction methods for beekeepers of all levels. If you're new to harvesting or just looking to improve your setup, this episode covers when and how to take honey, how to test moisture content, what to avoid during treatment windows, and how to extract honey with or without expensive equipment. We’ll also go over tips for drying uncapped honey, clearing bees from supers, and managing sticky cleanup after the fact.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why you shouldn’t harvest honey in your first year
• How to know when your honey is ready (capped vs uncapped)
• Using a refractometer to measure moisture content
• Tips for drying uncapped honey frames before extraction
• Why your treatment history matters before harvesting
• How to clear bees using escape boards, one-way exits, or shaking
• Overview of manual vs electric extractors
• Crush and strain method explained
• Final tips for safe, efficient honey harvests

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

📘 Read our articles: bestbeekeepinggear.com

🎥 YouTube channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the Discord: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeeping

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we cover a few important topics to help you avoid major headaches in your beekeeping journey.

🐝 What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why the presence of a queen cell doesn't mean “do a split”
• How to avoid disaster when buying used gear (AFB risks)
• Best practices for moving bees out of swarm traps
• When it's safe to relocate, and how long to wait
• What to ask when picking up a nuc or package
• Why queen age, mite treatment, and egg-laying status matter
• Regional timing differences for splits and trapping

• 
  

💬 More Info:

🌐 Website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

📘 Articles & reviews: bestbeekeepinggear.com

🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Value in the episode? Buy Me a Coffee

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thinking of doing a walkaway split? Before you divide that colony, hit play. In this episode, we break down why timing is everything — especially as the summer dearth sets in. Inspired by a real listener question, we walk through what a walkaway split is, how it works, and why it might be one of the riskiest moves you can make during a seasonal lull. Learn why your queen might not emerge (or mate), what happens to your workforce while you wait, and why “just because” splits usually backfire.

🧭 What’s Inside This Episode:

• What exactly is a walkaway split, and how is it different from other types?
• Why splits are easier (and safer) in the spring
• How long it really takes to go from queenless to new bees
• Why feeding and robbing become serious concerns
• 4 key reasons not to split your colony right now
• How to test drone availability without risking an entire hive
• Why “my mentor said it was a good idea” is not always a green light
• Tips for getting honest, timely advice from experienced beekeepers

🔗 More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

📌 About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we dive into the what, who, when, where, why, and how of honeycomb production. You'll learn how wax gets made, when bees choose to build it, what types of foundation help or hinder that process, and how to manage common comb problems — from burr and brace comb to the dreaded “wonky comb.” We also get into frame spacing habits, foundation color (black vs yellow), and why wax production is all about energy balance, not instinct alone.

Whether you’re dealing with bridge comb between deeps, weird bulging frames, or just want to help your bees draw clean comb, this episode will walk you through every angle.

🧭 What’s Inside This Episode:

• Who makes comb, when, and why
• How nectar flow (not honey stores) triggers wax production
• The hidden costs of wax secretion for the colony
• Foundation types: plastic, wax, foundationless, and starter strips
• Burr, brace, and bridge comb — what’s the difference?
• Fixing frames stuck together or warped from weird comb
• My personal hot take on why I do not squish frames together
• Tips on checkerboarding and why it doesn’t always work
• Should you use black or yellow foundation? Here’s the real deal.

🔗 More Info

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

📌 About the Podcast

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ever wonder how long it takes for a queen to emerge? Or why drones take longer to develop than workers? In this deep-dive episode, we break down the full development cycle of honey bee castes — workers, drones, and queens — from egg to emergence. You’ll learn what happens during each stage, how nutrition influences caste, and why understanding these timelines is essential for swarm control, requeening, and sustainable colony growth.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Worker, drone, and queen development timelines: 16, 21, and 24 days explained
• What each bee does during its life — from cleaning cells to mating flights
• What royal jelly is and how it differs from worker jelly
• Why bee bread is preferred over fresh pollen for larval nutrition
• How to calculate timing for walkaway splits and swarm prevention
• Tips for spotting queenright vs queenless conditions during a dearth
• Using drone brood to monitor and interrupt Varroa mite reproduction

Why Listen to This Episode:

This is one of the most detailed episodes we’ve ever done — and it’s loaded with knowledge that will help you make better management decisions. Whether you’re requeening, splitting, or just trying to understand what’s happening inside the hive, mastering the timeline of bee development is one of the most powerful tools in a beekeeper’s toolkit.

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

☕ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the meaning of service, sacrifice, and the families who carry that burden. In this special episode, Jeff shares his own story of military transition, how beekeeping became a source of healing, and why he's launching a new nonprofit: The Healing Hive Project. This initiative will create a retreat and training center for veterans and first responders using the therapeutic power of honey bees.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• A personal message of gratitude to Gold Star families and those who serve
• Reflections on military transition, loss, and reconnecting with purpose
• A behind-the-scenes look at the vision for The Healing Hive Project
• Facilities, programming, and how the beekeeping community can get involved
• Call for volunteers, donors, and partners to support this mission
• A reminder to show grace on Memorial Day — and to educate with kindness
• 
  

Why Listen to This Episode:

If you’re a veteran, first responder, or someone who believes in the power of nature to heal, this episode shares the story behind a meaningful new direction. Whether you want to lend a hand, share the mission, or just reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, this episode lays the foundation for something that matters far beyond beekeeping.

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

💬 Join the Discord community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy