The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast

By John Swan

What's The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast about?

The Hive Jive is a podcast that helps you navigate the stings of beekeeping to reach those sweet rewards. Join us on our beekeeping adventure today and find out what kinds of trouble we get into along the way!

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The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast episodes:

06.24.2024
174 - Tracy Pielemeir & The Hive Butler
This week John sits down with Tracy Pielemeir to discuss how she got into beekeeping, started the North Central Beekeepers Club, came up with the concept for The Hive Butler, and to find out what she thinks about the current...
06.10.2024
173 - A Few Additional Thoughts
John and Nathalie discuss a few takeaways from their recent interview with Angela Tollerson, plus the pair go a bit more in-depth with a few of the concepts that were mentioned. Tune in now to learn more…
05.20.2024
172 - Interview with Angela Tollerson
John and Nathalie sit down with Angela Tollerson, a fellow Master Beekeeper, to have an engaging conversation about how she sees the world of beekeeping today. Hear her perspective on some common issues, what challenges she faces in her own...
05.13.2024
171 - Hive Jive Revived
For the first interview episode of the season, we sit down with none other than Ken Milam to discuss his views on the current state of beekeeping. Tune in now to learn more...
05.09.2024
170 - Past Obligations and Future Expectations
It's time to address that big fuzzy striped elephant in the room that is Season 4. John sits down with us for a personal one-on-one and explains what has kept the show on hiatus for so long, and what it...
04.25.2024
BC - Queen Genetics vs Health
This week Nathalie and John discuss topics from a recent Bee Informed Partnership panel discussion on queen genetics and queen health/viability. Tune in now to hear their thoughts on a few key topics regarding Queens and how it relates to...
04.18.2024
BC - Trial and Error
In today's Beekeeper Chat, we get an update from Nathalie about her recent swarm captures, some things they both would like to try now that swarm session is under way, and John give a few updates about his new bees...
04.11.2024
BC - City Biome
Today John and Nathalie discuss how recent studies have revealed that a beehive can help identify the nuances of a cities unique biome by collecting and storing the microscopic bacteria, yeast, spores, and other fungal matter that reside in that...
04.10.2024
BC - Unexpected Arrivals
Breaking News! John's bees arrive TOMORROW morning and he hasn't even started building his hives yet!! How exactly does one forget something so important and exciting as the arrival of new bees? Well, John and Nathalie discuss this out of...
03.28.2024
BC - RF & EMR Revisited
Today Nathalie and John revisit a topic that was originally discussed back in 2021 on the possible effects of EMF on bees. With new research being presented, and new definitions of RF-EMR (Radio Frequency Electro Magnetic Radiation), the pair have...
03.21.2024
BC - Bees Teaching Bees
Today Nathalie and John discuss new research that suggests younger bees learn the finer details of a precision Waggle Dance from older more experienced bees. What implications could this have on how we view our colonies, and the decisions we...
03.14.2024
BC - To Be Excluded
In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss the topic of Queen Excluders. What were they designed for? How do you use them? When should they be used? And, are they even really required? Tune in now to find out...
03.14.2024
BC - Safe Passage Comb Guides
Today John and Nathalie discuss a comb guide that was recently brought to John's attention from a listener. This comb guide is meant to be placed on the bottom of Topbar hive bars in order to help encourage the bees...
02.29.2024
BC - Batting Zero
Today John breaks the news to Nathalie that he is now back down to zero colonies. Despite everything looking great for the "Oh Bee One Colony" going into winter, things took a drastic turn somewhere along the way. This has...
02.22.2024
BC - ReWilding
Recently, a listener brought up the subject of Re-Wilding honey bees in the comments after discussing Honey Bees as the Poster Child for the Save the Bees movement. So, in today's beekeeper chat, John and Nathalie attempt to tackle the...
02.15.2024
BC - Honey Bees as the Poster Child
Today Nathalie and John discuss whether the fact that the Honey Bee has become the Poster Child of the "Save the Bees" movement is a good thing, or if it could have it's own unintended consequences. There are pros and...
02.08.2024
BC - Queen Rearing Preferences
This week, John and Nathalie discuss their preferred queen rearing methods. What strategies have they tried, what has worked well and what hasn't, and do they agree on the best practices? Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: Feb...
02.08.2024
BC - Stepping on Toes
your own beekeeping operation without stepping on the toes of those who might have mentored you along the way. Are there ways to avoid these types of situations from the start, and what if you find yourself in the middle...
01.25.2024
BC - Effects of Oxalic Acid on Bee Larvae
In today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John discuss some new research that shows the potential side effects of OA (Oxalic Acid) treatments and the impacts it has on developing larvae. Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: Jan 25th,...
01.18.2024
BC - Off Gassing of OSB boards and Wax Q&A
In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John tackle a couple of listener questions regarding the use of plywood or OSB boards when building hives, as well as the effects on newly drawn wax when feeding sugar. Tune in now to...
01.11.2024
BC - AFB Vaccinations for Honey Bees
The USDA has recently approved the 1st vaccination for Honey Bees! This specific vaccination is to help colonies guard against AFB infections, also know as American Foulbrood disease. Tune in now to hear Nathalie and John's take on this new...
01.11.2024
BC - New Year’s Setbacks
John and Nathalie are back to kick off the new year with a bang! But, unfortunately John has experienced another setback in his beekeeping journey... as have a few others out there in Bee Land. Plus, the pair tackle a...
12.25.2023
169 - 2023 Year in Review
Just in time for Christmas, the gang is all back together to bring you the 2023 year in review! Catch up with John, Nathalie and Ken as they recap the stats from the podcast over the last year.
12.24.2023
BC - Holiday Wrap Up 2022
Just in time for the Holiday weekend, Nathalie and John are up early and decked out in their holiday PJs to bring you one final Beekeeper Chat for 2022. The pair recap some of the past episodes from this year,...
12.21.2023
BC - Honey Queens & Princesses
Today John and Nathalie discuss a hot button issue on the pros and cons of Honey Queen/Princess programs at the various levels of local clubs to national associations. While there are many benefits to such programs, could some aspects be...
12.14.2023
BC - Voluntold
This week Nathalie and John discuss the touchy subject of volunteering at the different levels of various bee associations and clubs. From the local town club, to county clubs, and state associations, there can be a very drastic range of...
12.07.2023
BC - Rekindling the Spark
Today Nathalie and John discuss some of the ways you can rekindle the spark you originally felt that can help you reconnect and remind you why you love beekeeping so much. We all have frustrations from time to time, and...
11.30.2023
BC - Cautionary Tales
John and Nathalie take a stroll down memory lane and share a few stories from their past experiences that are both humorous, as well as great examples of why we always need to be aware of our surroundings when doing...
11.23.2023
BC - Thymol Entrances Revisited
For today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John go back and revisit a topic that John and Ken originally covered on a bonus episode back in September of 2020 regarding a Thymol Entrance Portal. It has been a couple of years,...
11.16.2023
BC - What’s Really Changed?
The first cold snap of winter for 2022 has finally arrived and it has John questioning what has really changed with beekeeping over the last century. Join us as Nathalie and John discuss whether or not he core concept is...
11.09.2023
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...
11.02.2023
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...
10.26.2023
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...
10.25.2023
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...
10.25.2023
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...
10.25.2023
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...
10.24.2023
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...
10.24.2023
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...
10.24.2023
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"...
10.24.2023
BC - 12 Day Recap
John gives us a recap on what has transpired over the last 12 days. He and Nathalie discuss what beekeeping would be like without your sense of smell. Also, the Black Bear! (Original Air Date: Aug 24th, 2022)
10.23.2023
BC - Perpetual Challenges
We all have our challenges as we first start our beekeeping journey, but it might surprise you to know that even long seasoned and experienced beekeepers still have challenges that we face on a regular basis. This can change from...
10.23.2023
BC - Tangential
Can you use a Tangential Extractor to get honey from a Topbar Comb without destroying the comb? This week, Nathalie and John discuss the tricks and patience that would be needed to pull off such a feat. Plus, is extracting...
10.23.2023
BC - Pollen Sub Debate
For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss a research paper written by Emily Nordic and James Ellis on the efficacy of pollen substitutes in honey bee colonies. You can read the article yourself prior to listening, or tune...
10.23.2023
BC - Robot Overlords
For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John talk about the far futuristic technology that has been conceptualized over the last few years. From Robotic Bees to Robotic Bee Vehicles, and even fully autonomous AI powered mega bee buildings, the...
09.07.2023
BC - Conundrum Down Under
In today's Beekeeper Chat, John and Nathalie continue their discussion about the unfolding situation in Australia with the introduction of the Varroa Mite. This time the pair take a look at a recent article (link below) that implies the mites...
08.31.2023
BC - NSW Australia Invaded
In June of 2022 the unthinkable happened... Varroa Mites were detected in New South Whales, Australia. Nathalie and John talk about what this could mean for our friends down-under, and the impacts it has already had for a few local...
08.24.2023
BC - S(tick)y Situations
For today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John tackle a beekeeper question based off of the recent "Ticking Timebomb" episode. John also gives an update on his new hives and the pair cover a few random extra topics to finish out...
08.17.2023
BC - Conversion Therapy
Today Nathalie and John go a bit further into the methods they are currently using to naturally convert a colony living in a Langstroth Hive over into a TopBar hive. John has put one of Nathalie's first conversion methods to...
08.10.2023
BC - Something Fishy
In this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John feel like there might be something fishy in the air. John gives an update on his Apiary and re-introduction to bees, and the pair discuss how crucial it is to pay attention...
08.03.2023
BC - Queen Dearth
In this week's beekeeper chat, John gives Nathalie some scenarios that can be encountered during a hot summer dearth so that she can detail how she would personally approach each scenario. Topics include shrinking colonies, the presence of wax moth...

What's The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast episodes:

174 - Tracy Pielemeir & The Hive Butler

173 - A Few Additional Thoughts

172 - Interview with Angela Tollerson

171 - Hive Jive Revived

170 - Past Obligations and Future Expectations

BC - Queen Genetics vs Health

BC - Trial and Error

BC - City Biome

BC - Unexpected Arrivals

BC - RF & EMR Revisited

BC - Bees Teaching Bees

BC - To Be Excluded

BC - Safe Passage Comb Guides

BC - Batting Zero

BC - ReWilding

BC - Honey Bees as the Poster Child

BC - Queen Rearing Preferences

BC - Stepping on Toes

BC - Effects of Oxalic Acid on Bee Larvae

BC - Off Gassing of OSB boards and Wax Q&A

BC - AFB Vaccinations for Honey Bees

BC - New Year’s Setbacks

169 - 2023 Year in Review

BC - Holiday Wrap Up 2022

BC - Honey Queens & Princesses

BC - Voluntold

BC - Rekindling the Spark

BC - Cautionary Tales

BC - Thymol Entrances Revisited

BC - What’s Really Changed?

BC - Improvising

BC - Swarming with Revelations

BC - Always Learning

BC - Procrastination

BC - Imported vs Native Bees

BC - Beeing Random

BC - Mentorship and Apprenticeship

BC - Queen Longevity

BC - A What If Scenario

BC - 12 Day Recap

BC - Perpetual Challenges

BC - Tangential

BC - Pollen Sub Debate

BC - Robot Overlords

BC - Conundrum Down Under

BC - NSW Australia Invaded

BC - S(tick)y Situations

BC - Conversion Therapy

BC - Something Fishy

BC - Queen Dearth

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