Episode 175 – Winter Hive Survival: Science, Insulation, and the Condensing Hive 🧊🐝
In this episode I talk with Minnesota beekeeper Peg DeSanto about one of the biggest challenges in beekeeping, getting colonies through winter. Peg explains how she became determined to stop winter losses and what she learned about insulation, moisture control, and the science behind the condensing hive approach.What’s Inside This Episode:Why 50 to 60 percent winter losses are not inevitableHow moisture and cold both threaten hive survivalWhat R values actually mean for top and side insulationHow bees manage condensation and why wet bees die fastWhat condensing hive design solves and how to build oneReal data from researchers like Tom Seeley and Etienne TardifHow proper insulation reduces honey use and stressWhy Listen to This Episode?You will learn how modern data and natural behavior work together to redefine overwintering success, with practical steps any beekeeper can apply before the cold sets in.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout 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.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code HONEY for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 174 - Bees In The News (28): Parasites, Organics & Alaska Hive Beetles 🐝🗞️
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 pathogensThe reality of native bee decline and what beekeepers can do about itWhy honey bees can act like an invasive species in certain ecosystemsBreaking down “organic” beekeeping and why it does not mean “hands off”How organic acids and essential oils can rival conventional mite treatmentsWhy 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 panicPractical steps to reduce beetle pressure in your hives year-roundWhy 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.orgReferenced 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.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code HONEY for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 173 – Building a Hive Monitoring System: Sensors, Heat Maps, and Real Data 🖥️🐝
Every beekeeper wonders how their colonies are doing in the middle of winter. Are they clustered? Do they have enough food? Is it safe to open the hive? In this episode, I walk through the new project I have been teasing for months, a hive monitoring system that uses temperature probes, humidity sensors, and data collectors to create real-time heat maps of the winter cluster. This is a non-invasive way to track your bees and generate actionable data for better overwintering decisions.What’s Inside This Episode:Why traditional “knock tests” and quick hive peeks fall shortUsing 18–20 temperature probes per hive to locate the clusterESP32 boards, Raspberry Pi collectors, and open source toolsHow heat maps and playback show cluster movement over timeTesting phases: hardware build, power integration, garage trials, full yard deploymentAdding heat strips to simulate cluster movement for controlled experimentsIntegrating insulation tests and measuring power to honey conversionFuture expansions like weight sensors and even drone based data retrievalWhy Listen to This Episode?This project combines beekeeping with technology, giving you a way to see what really happens inside your hives during the cold months. Whether you want to build your own system or just follow along, you will come away with new insights into how bees survive winter.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout 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.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code HONEY for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 172 – The Bee Buzz (28): Winter Hive Questions, Feeding, and Moisture Boards ❄️🐝
It is Bee Buzz time again, and in this Q&A session I answer listener questions on winter prep, feeding, and hive management. We talk about whether to reduce colonies from two brood boxes to one, how to handle screened bottom boards, what to know about moisture boards, and when to stop feeding syrup. I also cover queen excluders in winter, protecting against mice, and why upper entrances may cause more problems than they solve.What’s Inside This Episode:Best times and methods for moving a hive stand without stressing beesWhat moisture boards do and whether they are worth usingWhen and why to reduce from double deeps to a single brood boxThe truth about queen excluders in winter setupsEntrance reducers, mouse guards, and facing hives away from cold windsScreened bottom boards and whether to close them for cold weatherHow much honey a colony needs by region and climateFeeding decisions: syrup, sugar bricks, fondant, and candy boardsWhy Listen to This Episode?Winter prep is full of conflicting advice. This episode cuts through the noise with straightforward answers to common questions so you can focus on keeping your bees alive and strong until spring.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout 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.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code HONEY for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Episode 171 – Inside the Winter Cluster: How Bees Heat and Survive the Cold ❄️🐝
When temperatures drop, bees form the winter cluster to stay alive. In this episode, we dig into what triggers clustering, how bees rotate between the mantle and the core, and the muscle power that generates heat without flight. We also look at how the cluster moves as a unit to consume honey, why frame arrangement matters, and what not to do when preparing colonies for the cold months. Whether you are a first-year beekeeper or have decades of experience, this is a foundational topic you cannot overlook.What’s Inside This Episode:What the winter cluster is and why bees form itMantle bees vs core bees and how they rotate to stay aliveThe role of flight muscles in heat generationHow brood rearing changes cluster temperature demandsWhy colonies move together through honey stores instead of breaking clusterCommon myths about bees starving “inches away” from foodFrame arrangement mistakes that can hurt winter survivalVentilation, insulation, and protecting hives from pests like miceWhy Listen to This Episode?Understanding the winter cluster is key to successful overwintering. This episode explains how bees regulate heat, manage resources, and act as a superorganism when survival is on the line.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.orgAbout 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.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code HONEY for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Here we will discuss everything needed for new beekeepers to learn to keep honeybees including: Beekeeping tools, hive components, what to do and when, and every trick of the trade that we can think of. If you are new to beekeeping, this podcast is for you.
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