Episode 207 – Listener's Choice: Bear Fences, Box Reversals, and Choosing Frames for a Split 🐝

Episode 207 – Listener's Choice: Bear Fences, Box Reversals, and Choosing Frames for a Split 🐝

From Beekeeping For Newbees® by Beekeeping For Newbees

April 28, 2026 · 32 min

About this episode

This episode discusses listener-submitted topics including bear fences, box reversals, and hive management strategies.

Last week wrapped up Varroa Week, and two listeners took us up on the offer to submit topics for further elaboration. This episode honors both of them. We also have a hive report on Colony 61, a packed four-frame nuc that needed immediate expansion, plus a quick tip about prepping your gear before you actually need it. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper What's Inside This Episode: Colony 61 hive inspection and emergency expansion from a four-frame to a five-frame nuc What happens when bees draw comb on your frame feeder and why you leave it alone A hard lesson on prepping equipment before you get to the bee yard Using masking tape as a temporary fix for misaligned hive body gaps How bear fences work and what components you actually need Why one joule or higher is the target for a food-motivated bear Grounding rods, wire types, poly wire vs. solid wire, and jumping your strands Fence charger mile ratings and how to account for multiple strands Why reversing boxes every spring is not a biological requirement How bees actually move through a hive from top to bottom and back again Encouraging comb drawing with a nectar flow and proper foundation placement…

People in this episode

Host: Beekeeping For Newbees

Topics covered

  • bear fences
  • box reversals
  • choosing frames
  • hive inspection
  • swarm season
  • space management

Keywords

  • bear fences
  • box reversals
  • frame selection
  • Colony 61
  • nuc expansion
  • equipment prep
  • masking tape
  • hive management

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Episode 207

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