Episode 174 - Bees In The News (28): Parasites, Organics & Alaska Hive Beetles 🐝🗞️
Beekeeping For Newbees®Show Notes
Bees In The News is back with a fresh format and more commentary. Instead of just reading headlines, I dive into what these stories really mean for beekeepers. In this episode, we explore the surprising discovery of natural bacteria in pollen that may protect bees, the growing concerns about native bee loss in Missouri and Kansas, and a Penn State study showing that organic beekeeping might actually improve honey yields and beekeeper safety. We wrap up with Alaska’s first small hive beetle detection and what it really means for northern beekeepers. What’s Inside This Episode: How natural endophytes in pollen could help fight hive pathogens The reality of native bee decline and what beekeepers can do about it Why honey bees can act like an invasive species in certain ecosystems Breaking down “organic” beekeeping and why it does not mean “hands off” How organic acids and essential oils can rival conventional mite treatments Why true “organic honey” is nearly impossible to label in the U.S. The Alaska small hive beetle detection and why it is not cause for panic Practical steps to reduce beetle pressure in your hives year-round
Why Listen to This Episode? This episode ties together science, practicality, and opinion. You will walk away with insight into the latest research, how it applies to your beekeeping, and why understanding natural and organic approaches can help protect both managed and wild bee populations. More Info: 🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com 🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com 📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees 💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees 🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org Referenced Articles: 🔬 Natural bacteria in pollen may protect bees (ScienceDaily) 🌾 Native bees struggle in Missouri and Kansas (KCUR) 🍯 Organic beekeeping benefits bees and keepers (Earth.com) ❄️ Alaska confirms first small hive beetle detection (Your Alaska Link) About the Podcast: Beekeeping 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.
Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More from Beekeeping For Newbees®
Good record keeping sits right behind your IPM strategy as one of the most important things you can do as a beekeeper. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle, a web developer and beekeeper from the far north, to talk about APiLOG, a hive inspection tracking app built by a beekeeper for beekeepers. The full interview including a live demo is available on YouTube -- link in the description. What's Inside This Episode: Why hive record keeping belongs right behind your IPM strategy in terms of importance How pen and paper notes fall short as your apiary grows The problem with bricks, wax markers, and other hive-top reminder systems How APiLOG uses voice recording to capture inspection notes naturally Swarm risk calculation and how weather patterns factor into the algorithm Automated regional task suggestions for new beekeepers Customizable inspection interval notifications by email How the built-in AI assistant uses your inspection history and local forecast Free tier available for up to two hives with full pro features Works across all devices including as a home screen app for push notifications
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
In this final episode of Varroa Week, we cover Norroa, a newer treatment approach designed to disrupt mite reproduction rather than kill mites directly. We also recap the week, talk through real-world cost and use considerations, and look ahead to the next round of spring episodes. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper
In this episode we continue Varroa Week by breaking down the most common mite treatment options on the market. We cover how they work, when they are used, key limitations, and how to think through building a treatment strategy that fits your own apiary. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper
In this episode we continue Varroa Week by getting practical with mite testing. We cover alcohol washes, dish soap washes, sticky boards, sugar shakes, and how to build a monthly testing routine that helps you stay ahead of trouble before colonies begin to fail. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper