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 year to year and person to person, but there is always something new to learn or a challenge to overcome.  Tune in now to learn what current challenges face John and Nathalie in their own practices...

(Original Air Date: Aug 10th, 2022)

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 the honey to save the comb for the bees really worth all the effort?  Tune in now to find out...

(Original Air Date: Aug 3rd, 2022)

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 in now to hear their thoughts on this pollen sub-ject.  

(Original Air Date: July 27th, 2022)

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 possibilities seem endless.  But, are these future concepts really solving a problem, or perhaps creating their own unintended consequences?  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: July 20,2022)

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 could be used as a biological weapon against feral honey bee colonies since the bees themselves could be considered an invasive species.  What would the repercussions be for such an action?  Tune in now to hear our beekeeper's opinions on the matter...

(Original Air Date: July 6th, 2022)

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 beekeepers in the area.  Is there anything that can be done, or is this the beginning of the end for the last refuge from Varroa Destructor?

(Original Air Date: June 29th, 2022)

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 the chat.  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: June 22nd, 2022)

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 the test and is already having results.  The pair discuss some key points to keep in mind, plus Nathalie has a few other conversion ideas she is planning for future experimentation.  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: June 15th, 2022)

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 to descriptive words on honey labels lest you end up buying something fishy.  Oh, yeah, and Bees are Fish too!

(Original Air Date: Jun 8th, 2022)

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 larvae, and missing queens.  Tune in now to learn more...

(Original Air Date: July 13th, 2020)