In this week’s episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes a thoughtful walk through history, sparked by a humble but enduring piece of equipment found in nearly every beekeeper’s supply box—the Boardman feeder. What begins as a practical look at feeding honey bee colonies becomes a fascinating exploration of beekeeping lore, forgotten innovators, and personal reflections on how ideas shape generations.

Jim traces the origins of the Boardman feeder to its namesake, Hiram R. Boardman of East Townsend, Ohio, reflecting on how many of beekeeping’s most enduring tools were crafted by observant tinkerers in their own bee yards. He draws parallels to the lesser-known Alexander feeder and veil, celebrating the inventive minds behind beekeeping’s early advancements.

Through the lens of E.E. Root’s 1923 booklet Feeds and Feeding, Jim examines how feeding practices—and the philosophies behind them—have evolved. He shares his own changing perspective on feeding colonies, offering a candid view that challenges the notion of stimulative feeding as a default practice. Along the way, Jim considers how the field has shifted from individual innovation to data-driven science, and what we might be losing in the process.

This episode isn’t just about feeders. It’s about history, humility, and honoring the legacy of those who laid the foundation for what we do today—one rabbit hole at a time.

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Jim Thompsons Article about the history of Honey Bee Feeders in Bee Culture: https://beeculture.com/a-history-of-feeders/

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. 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

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this reflective and personal episode, Jim Tew explores a question many beekeepers may not think much about—why are so many bee yards hidden from view? Fresh off a long solo road trip, Jim shares how, despite driving over 2,000 miles, he didn’t spot a single beehive. This observation launches a deeper discussion about the reasons beekeepers often keep their hives out of sight: privacy, safety, neighbor concerns, theft prevention—and perhaps even a bit of tradition.

From stories of problematic neighbors to camouflaged hive setups, Jim offers a candid look at the social and logistical realities of managing bees near people. He also revisits his longtime plan to keep bees in a custom-built barn—a plan that, like many in beekeeping, didn’t quite work out.

The episode ends with a call to listeners: do you hide your hives? Have you ever tried keeping bees inside a building? And how do you balance visibility, access, and protection in your own beekeeping practice?

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. 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

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes back Anne Frey of Betterbee to unpack the troubling die-offs many beekeepers experienced this past winter and spring. From unexplained colony declines to puzzling symptoms that didn’t respond to brood boosts or pollen patties, Jim and Anne share firsthand observations of a season marked by confusion, frustration, and difficult decisions.

Anne describes colonies that made it through winter only to slowly spiral down, despite repeated efforts to revive them. The conversation touches on suspected varroa mite damage, potential amitraz resistance, and the challenge of diagnosing problems when traditional treatments and responses don’t seem to work. Together, they reflect on the toll that repeated losses take—not just on operations, but on beekeepers’ morale.

The discussion also transitions into Anne’s mentorship of a new beekeeper at Betterbee. With warmth and honesty, she highlights the challenges of training someone new in a dynamic, seasonal environment where yesterday’s good practice may not apply tomorrow. Jim and Anne reflect on the evolving nature of beekeeping, the importance of teaching at the right pace, and why no year—no hive—is ever the same.

______________________

Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. 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

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC