Beekeeping For Newbees®

In this episode we walk through the process of installing package bees and what to expect on day one. We break down the differences between packages and nucs, how to prepare your hive, and the exact steps to get your bees settled in safely. This is part one of a two-part series, focusing on setup and install before moving into early follow-up and inspections. What’s Inside This Episode:• The key differences between package bees and nucs and how that affects your starting point• Why protective gear is still important even when bees are less defensive during install• How and when to feed new packages• Using a sprayer to calm bees during install• Positioning the queen cage for a safe release• Getting frames back in place and closing up the hive without crushing beesWhy Listen to This Episode?Installing bees is one of the most important moments for a new beekeeper. This episode walks you through the process so you can avoid common mistakes and start your colony off strong.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAdditional Resources:Installing Packages: https://youtu.be/wSAXt4kODz8Checking Queens: (links forthcoming)Bucket Feeder: https://youtu.be/lTowIiSjTtgMixing 2:1 in a Bucket: https://youtube.com/shorts/sQqb_uuYzhQNever Take Hive Notes Again: https://youtu.be/DWdKMG-Wl-wAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we take a step back from the hive and talk about some important updates. We start with a big thank you to the community and supporters who help keep everything going, then dive into the Master Beekeeper program, what it was designed to do, and why things have shifted. We also introduce the new coaching app and how it is shaping the future of how this content is delivered. What’s Inside This Episode:• A sincere thank you to listeners and Buy Me a Coffee supporters and how that support directly impacts the work being done• Hitting a major milestone in podcast downloads and what that growth means for the community• What the Master Beekeeper program was designed to accomplish and who it was built for• Why the original course rollout was delayed and the challenges behind the scenes• The vision of creating a more accessible path for beekeepers with unique challenges or limitations• How the new coaching app works and how it delivers training, tracking, and resources in one place• What the shift to the app means for future content, training, and ongoing developmentWhy Listen to This Episode?This episode gives you a clear look at where everything is heading and why certain decisions were made. If you follow the podcast or are interested in the upcoming training tools, this connects all the pieces.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we break down one of the most overlooked parts of beekeeping: frames and foundation. We walk through the different frame styles, foundation options, and how each choice impacts how your bees build comb and how you manage your hives. Whether you are brand new or just want to simplify your setup, this episode helps you understand what actually works and why. What’s Inside This Episode:• The different types of wooden frames including groove, wedge top, and split bottom designs• How plastic and wax foundation compare and when each one makes sense• Why bees often reject plastic foundation and how to pre-treat it for better acceptance• Using wired wax foundation for strength and avoiding blowouts during honey extraction• How to use starter strips for foundationless frames and guide natural comb building• Common issues like wonky comb and how to fix it early before it becomes a problem• When to replace old brood comb and how to rotate frames over timeWhy Listen to This Episode?Frames and foundation choices directly impact how your bees build comb and how easy your hives are to manage. This episode simplifies the options so you can choose a setup that works for both you and your bees.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we talk about getting ready for the upcoming bee season and the things every beekeeper should have prepared before the first inspections begin. We walk through personal gear, hive tools, smokers, checking equipment from last season, preparing frames and boxes, and thinking ahead about inspections and mite management. Whether this is your first year with bees or you are getting ready for another season, this episode is all about making sure you are prepared before the bees arrive.What’s Inside This Episode:• Preparing your personal protective gear and choosing the setup that keeps you comfortable working bees• Why hydration, mindset, and staying calm in the bee yard can make inspections go much smoother• Getting your smoker ready and choosing safe natural materials for smoker fuel• Hive tools, J-hook tools, and why it helps to keep multiple tools available• Checking last year’s hive bodies, frames, lids, and inner covers before the season begins• Planning ahead for feeders so packages, nucs, or splits can keep building if weather turns bad• Why every beekeeper should already be thinking about a varroa management plan before the season ramps upWhy Listen to This Episode?The start of bee season comes quickly, and being prepared ahead of time prevents a lot of frustration once bees arrive. This episode walks through the basic gear, preparation, and mindset that can help make the start of the season much smoother.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAdditional Resources:Regular hive tool: https://amzn.to/4iaACUfJ-hook style hive tool: https://amzn.to/4kTqZL9Pullover top: https://amzn.to/4hmzvzAHat w/ veil: https://amzn.to/3FtrhZ2Smoker: https://amzn.to/3DyBSS9About the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Swarm trapping is one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to grow your apiary, and in this second part of the discussion we move from theory to real-world execution. In this episode we talk about where to place your traps, when they should go up in different regions, and what to do after you successfully catch a swarm. From planning your removal process to installing the bees into a hive, this episode walks through the practical steps that turn a swarm trap into a thriving new colony.What’s Inside This Episode:• Planning ahead for swarm trap removal and why thinking through the process before you catch bees makes everything easier• Ideal swarm trap placement including edges of fields, road borders, and other transitional areas bees naturally travel• Why densely wooded areas often perform worse for swarm traps due to predators and poor flight access• Regional timing guidance for placing swarm traps across the southern United States, Mid-Atlantic, and northern states• What to do once a swarm moves into your trap and why many beekeepers leave them undisturbed for several days• How to safely close and remove a swarm trap at night and relocate it to your apiary• Installing captured swarm frames into a full hive and helping the colony build quickly with feeding and comb drawing• Techniques some beekeepers use to anchor a swarm to the hive including adding a frame of broodWhy Listen to This Episode?Catching a swarm is only the first step. This episode explains how to move that swarm safely into a hive, avoid common mistakes, and give the new colony the best chance to establish quickly and grow into a productive hive.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAdditional Resources:Pill Bottle Swarm Trap: https://youtu.be/jtbc8OJpTs0Swarm Trap Assembly: https://youtu.be/uksabwBuzlE60 Second Swarm Trap Build: https://youtu.be/Wfy3ybL3PJMSwarm Trap Plans: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/resourcesSwarm Trap & Nuc Entrance Wheels: https://amzn.to/3FzSMAnAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 650,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Spring is getting closer, which means the questions from beekeepers are starting to pour in again. In this Bee Buzz episode, I work through a lightning round of listener questions covering late winter hive activity, feeding decisions, early inspections, and what normal colony behavior looks like as temperatures begin to warm. If you're seeing bees flying on warm days, noticing dead bees in front of the hive, or wondering if it's time to check food stores or add space, this episode walks through the most common questions beekeepers are asking right now.What’s Inside This Episode:• Why bees suddenly start flying during warm winter days and what cleansing flights actually mean• What a pile of dead bees in front of the hive usually indicates during late winter cleanup• When it makes sense to check food stores and how to do a quick cold weather hive check• Why one hive may appear active while another seems quiet coming out of winter• How to estimate food stores and determine if a colony may be running low without pulling frames• Whether bees bringing in pollen means the queen has already started laying again• When to perform your first full spring inspection and what to focus on early in the seasonWhy Listen to This Episode?Late winter can be one of the most confusing times for beekeepers as colonies begin transitioning toward spring. This episode answers the questions many beekeepers are asking right now and helps you understand what normal behavior looks like as your bees begin ramping up for the season.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesBeekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 600,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Cold weather has a way of making even experienced beekeepers second guess everything. With unusually low temperatures showing up across large parts of the country, I wanted to take some time to walk through what cold actually means for overwintering colonies, how much additional honey they may consume, and when intervention does or does not make sense.This episode is a general update covering several seasonal topics, including winter feeding philosophy, evaluating colony stores, progress on ongoing projects, and getting ready for spring.What’s Inside This Episode:Why extended cold spells increase honey consumption and how much more bees may actually useRealistic weekly honey usage at different winter temperaturesWhy panic inspections often cause more harm than goodHow to assess colony weight and food stores without opening the hiveDifferent feeding strategies and why context and goals matterUpdates on the hive monitoring project and why it is temporarily pausedProgress on the Master Beekeeper Program and what is coming nextSwarm trap preparation and placement timing for the upcoming seasonWhy Listen to This Episode?If cold weather has you worried about your bees or questioning your winter management decisions, this episode provides calm, experience-based perspective to help you evaluate what actually needs attention and what does not.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 650,000 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 does not in real-world beekeeping.Beekeeping For Newbees mobile app: https://studio.com/beekeeper Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy