Beekeeping Today Podcast Podcast Por Jeff Ott Becky Masterman arte de portada

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Beekeeping Today Podcast

De: Jeff Ott Becky Masterman
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The weekly podcast bringing beekeepers the latest news, research, and insights on honey bees. Hosted by Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman, each episode features conversations with beekeepers, scientists, authors, and industry leaders. Whether you’re just starting your first hive or managing hundreds, you’ll find practical tips, fresh perspectives, and engaging stories to inspire your beekeeping journey.2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC All Rights Reserved Ciencia Historia Natural Naturaleza y Ecología
Episodios
  • [Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron: Fat Bees and Overwintering Success

    [Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron: Fat Bees and Overwintering Success
    Sep 10 2025
    In this BTP Short, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another of his “audio postcards,” this time exploring the critical role of fat bees—also known as diutinus bees—in helping colonies survive winter. Dewey explains how these long-lived worker bees differ from their summer sisters, with enlarged fat bodies, higher protein reserves, and lower juvenile hormone levels, all tied to the key blood protein vitellogenin. Drawing on published research papers, Dewey highlights how environmental cues such as declining pollen, temperature, and daylight trigger the production of winter bees, and how clustering helps colonies thermoregulate through the cold months. He emphasizes that strong, heavy colonies going into winter are far more likely to survive than weak or light ones. For beekeepers, Dewey stresses the importance of continuous Varroa control throughout the season, fall feeding to ensure sufficient carbohydrate and protein stores, and combining weaker units when necessary. He also discusses drone eviction, stock influences, and climate change modeling that suggests warmer falls may disrupt the balance of winter bee production and survival. This episode provides science-based insights and practical recommendations to help beekeepers communicate with their colonies—ensuring not only fat bees, but fat, well-prepared colonies for overwintering success. Websites and Links mention in the episode: Döke, Mehmet A. M. Frazier, and C. Grozinger, 2015 “Overwintering honey bees: biology and management,” Current Opinion in Insect Science.Mehmet Ali Döke, Christina M. Grozinger. 2017. Pheromonal control of overwintering physiology and success in honey bees (Apis mellifera, L.)Döke, Mehmet Ali, CM McGrady, M. Otieno, CM Grozinger, M Frazier. 2019. Colony size, rather than geographic origin of stocks, predicts overwintering success in honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Northeastern United States. J. Econ. Entomology 112 (2), 525-533, DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy377Stephanie Feliciano-Cardona, †Mehmet Ali Döke, Janpierre Ale man,Jose Luis Agosto-Rivera. Christina M. Grozinger and Tugrul Giray 2020. Honey Bees in the Tropics Show Winter Bee-Like Longevity in Response to Seasonal Dearth and Brood Reduction. Front. Ecol. Evol., 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.571094Somerville, Doug (2005) Fat Bees Skinny Bees, A manual on honey bee nutrition for beekeepers., Australia. Available on the Web at https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/05-054.pdf https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/05-054Kirti Rajagopalan, Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, Matthew Pruett, Vincent P. Jones, Vanessa Corby-Harris, Julien Pireaud, Robert Curry, Brandon Hopkins & Tobin D. Northfield. 2024. Warmer autumns and winters could reduce honey bee overwintering survival with potential risks for pollination services. Scientific Reports volume 14, Article number: 5410 (2024) For homework Ashley L. St. Clair , Nathanael J. Beach, Adam G. Dolezal. 2022. Honey bee hive covers reduce food consumption and colony mortality during overwintering. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266219 SBGM videos: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQcpKmXBhglCpthGSBzvHVLlSfp Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping. ______________ 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    20 m
  • Top-Bar Beekeeping with Vikki Atkinson (350)

    Top-Bar Beekeeping with Vikki Atkinson (350)
    Sep 8 2025
    In this milestone 350th episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Vikki Atkinson of Pennsylvania to share her deep experience managing over 100 Top-Bar hives. Vikki walks listeners through the unique design of Top-Bar hives, from follower boards and shims to the angled sides that encourage natural comb building. She explains how handling bars like a “steering wheel” prevents comb breakage, and why level placement is critical to success. With candor and clarity, she outlines both the advantages—lighter lifts, less colony disturbance, and beautiful natural comb—and the challenges, including cross-comb management and the lack of standardized equipment. The discussion ranges from honey harvest methods (from crush-and-strain to using extractors with creative adaptations) to overwintering strategies with rigid insulation, to managing Varroa through genetics, VSH queens, and careful testing. Vikki shares how she transitioned from a beginner fascinated by Les Crowder’s book to running a thriving Top-Bar operation and mentoring others. Whether you’re curious about trying a Top-Bar hive, or simply want fresh insights into honey bee biology beyond Langstroth boxes, this conversation offers practical lessons, inspiration, and a celebration of the diversity of modern beekeeping. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Wes Crowder's Book on Top-Bar Beekeeping: https://amzn.to/3K7bfpW Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.orgHoney Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.orgThe National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2025 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! Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper. Give your bees a boost with HiveAlive! Proven to increase bee health, honey yield, and overwinter survival, HiveAlive’s unique formula includes seaweed, thyme, and lemongrass, making it easy to feed. Choose from HiveAlive’s Fondant Patties, High-Performance Pollen Patties, or EZ Feed Super Syrup—ready-to-use options for busy beekeepers. Buy locally or online. 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 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: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com 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; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    53 m
  • [Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatments - ApiLife Var and Apiguard

    [Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatments - ApiLife Var and Apiguard
    Sep 5 2025

    In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined once again by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss two thymol-based mite control options: ApiLife Var and Apiguard . Both products rely on the essential oil thymol, but differ in formulation and delivery. ApiLife Var comes as wafers containing thymol along with eucalyptus oil, menthol, and camphor, while Apiguard is a gel tray or gel-applied product containing thymol alone.

    While both products are gentle on bees and effective against Varroa mites, they require multiple applications over several weeks and are best suited for broodless colonies or fall treatments. Listeners will also learn about potential honey contamination risks, flavor changes in comb, and why residue awareness is critical when frames move between brood boxes and supers.

    This episode highlights the pros and cons of ApiLife Var and Apiguard, helping beekeepers understand where these thymol-based treatments fit into an integrated pest management plan.

    Links & Resources:

    • Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management/
    • Betterbee Pest Management Resource Page: https://www.betterbee.com/instructions-and-resources/pest-management.asp

    Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping.

    ______________

    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

    Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    18 m
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very informative, formic pro and heat seem to be in our bee keeping future.

thank you for a great show

mites are in our future, Sammy has the answers

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good episode. I can't wait to see or listen to what comes next from this podcast

found a new podcast for bees

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I enjoy the humor and teaching of many of these podcast. They have a lot of popular and informative beekeeper guest.

Great Podcast!

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I started listening to Honeybee Obscura, and took up listening to this podcast because it was the next best thing. Different styles, but I am now just as fond of this podcast

Love This Podcast

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