Bottom Up Beekeeping (372)

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome Scottish beekeeper and author Ray Baxter to explore an often-overlooked source of insight inside the hive—the debris on the bottom board. Ray explains how careful observation of wax flakes, pollen, Varroa fragments, chalkbrood remains, and other materials can reveal colony health, brood cycles, forage history, and stress factors without opening the hive. Drawing on years of microscopy and time-series sampling, Ray shares how studying debris transformed his own beekeeping and inspired his book Bottom-Up Beekeeping. What began as a classroom curiosity with students evolved into long-term research that now tracks seasonal colony patterns and informs more precise hive interventions, including targeted Varroa treatments and identifying brood breaks. The conversation also highlights practical steps any beekeeper can take—such as photographing debris regularly, cleaning inspection boards consistently, and using simple tools like a smartphone or microscope to deepen understanding of colony biology. Ray emphasizes that debris analysis doesn't replace inspections but adds another valuable layer of information to guide better decisions and reduce unnecessary disturbance to the bees. Whether you're a new beekeeper curious about IPM boards or an experienced beekeeper seeking deeper biological insight, this discussion opens a new perspective on what the hive floor can teach us about colony survival, nutrition, and seasonal change. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Ray's Book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rdp0nH Ray's Book at Northern Bee Books: https://www.northernbeebooks.co.uk/en-us/products/bottom-up-beekeeping-baxter Ray's Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/bottomupbeekeeping Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.orgHoney Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.orgThe National Honey Board: https://honey.comHoney Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC ______________ Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. APIS Tactical is a beekeeping brand focused on innovation. We create a wide range of gear for beekeepers of all types—whether you're managing a few hives or working bees every day. We combine science and artistry to create purposeful, hardworking gear. We're here to help you care for your bees with confidence, so you can focus on what matters most—your hive. Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [e-mail] Thank you for listening! Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio ...