Beekeeping Today Podcast

• InsideTheHive.TV with Dr. Humberto Boncristiani (332)

  In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani, bee biologist, educator, and founder of InsideTheHive.TV. Humberto shares his compelling journey from growing up with Africanized bees in Brazil to becoming a leading voice in honey bee health research and education. He discusses how his scientific work—ranging from virology to applied honey bee biology—supports commercial beekeepers and emerging technologies. With clients like Dalan Animal Health and ToBe, Humberto helps test products, troubleshoot colony problems, and translate observational knowledge into measurable outcomes. He also explains the challenges of bringing new products to market in the beekeeping industry, where trust and credibility matter more than flashy marketing. Beyond consulting, Humberto is known for his widely respected YouTube channel and free newsletter. He breaks down complex research into accessible language, helping beekeepers worldwide better understand the science behind their bees. His unique “Inside the Hive Academy” offers training in scientific thinking and evidence-based decision-making for those wanting to go deeper. Whether you’re a backyard beginner or managing thousands of colonies, Humberto’s message is clear: listen to your bees, challenge assumptions, and never stop learning. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: InsideTheHive.TV - Humberto's website: https://www.insidethehive.tv InsideTheHive.TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/insidethehivetv Beescape - as mentioned by Becky: https://pollinators.psu.edu/bee-health/beescape   Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The 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.   Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.  Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages:  https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/   More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/ 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: [email protected] 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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• [BONUS] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron - Swarming

  In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with an “audio postcard” on one of spring’s biggest challenges: swarming. In less than 20 minutes, Dewey breaks down the science and management strategies of swarming across three communication levels—bee scientist to beekeeper, beekeeper to bees, and bee to bee. Dewey emphasizes that successful beekeeping often hinges on managing three core issues: overwintering, varroa control, and swarming. Drawing from scientific literature, field experience, and behavioral cues, he details proactive and reactive swarm management practices—from requeening and early supering to Demaree splits, Snelgrove boards, and shook swarms. He also explores the signals bees send each other—pheromones, body heat, piping calls, and buzz running—that guide the colony toward swarming and relocation. If you’re looking to better understand how to read your bees this spring and respond before the swarm takes flight, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work in your own apiary. Links & Resources: Honey Bee Obscura Podcast with Dr. Jim Tew: https://honeybeeobscura.com Research Paper, "From Molecules to Societies:..":  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271913315_From_molecules_to_societies_Mechanisms_regulating_swarming_behavior_in_honey_bees_Apis_spp [accessed Apr 06 2025] Tom Seeley's Latest Book: Seeley, Thomas D. 2024. Piping Hot Bees & Boisterous Buzz Runners. Princeton Univ Press   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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• Tropilaelaps and Varroa Update with Dr. Samuel Ramsey (331)

  Dr. Samuel Ramsey returns to the podcast with jaw-dropping updates from his global research into Tropilaelaps and Varroa mites. In this fast-paced and eye-opening conversation, Sammy shares the latest findings from his Honey Bee-nome Project, including recent fieldwork in the Philippines, rat–mite mysteries, and the alarming resilience of Tropilaelaps mites in cold climates. Listeners will hear how Sammy and his international team are sequencing the genomes of all honey bee species and their parasites to build a global reference library—a bold step toward proactive defense against emerging threats. He also breaks down what’s still unknown about tropi mites, including their possible overwintering behavior, alternative hosts, and the unsettling risk of co-infestation with Varroa. Jeff and Becky dig into the broader implications of Sammy’s work: What happens if Tropilaelaps enters North America? Are our current monitoring and response systems up to the task? And how are his graduate students pushing the boundaries of parasitology research? This episode is packed with science, storytelling, and urgency—and a few moments of humor (including a “don’t-take-a-selfie-with-a-giant-bee-colony” cautionary tale). Whether you’re new to beekeeping or have years behind the veil, this conversation is a must-listen. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: The Ramsey Research Foundation: https://www.ramseyresearchfoundation.org The Ramsey Lab at Colorado Univerity's BioFrontier's Institute: https://www.colorado.edu/biofrontiers/ramsey-lab Sammy's Personal Website: https://www.drsammy.online   Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The 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.   Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.  Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages:  https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/   More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/ 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: [email protected] 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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• Tracking Hive Theft with Deputy Sheriff Rowdy Freeman (330)

  In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky talk with Rowdy Freeman, a deputy sheriff from California who has become a leading figure in the fight against beehive theft. What began as a criminal investigation over a decade ago drew Rowdy into the world of bees, and today he’s not only a law enforcement expert but also a commercial beekeeper managing over 1,200 colonies. Rowdy shares how hive theft has grown into a serious agricultural crime, especially during almond pollination season in California. He explains the tactics thieves use, from stealing entire hives to removing bees from within colonies, and how difficult it can be to trace stolen bees once they’ve changed hands. Drawing on his experience in both law enforcement and beekeeping, Rowdy offers practical advice for protecting colonies, including using GPS trackers, wireless cameras, and clearly marked equipment. He also discusses how building strong relationships with landowners and reporting even small thefts can help authorities track patterns and intervene. With theft numbers rising and colony losses reaching record highs, Rowdy’s perspective is timely and vital. This episode shines a light on an often-overlooked threat facing beekeepers and reminds listeners of the importance of vigilance and community support in protecting our bees. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: California State Beekeeper's Assn. HIve Theft Site: https://www.californiastatebeekeepers.com/issue-hive-theft/   Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The 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.   Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.  Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages:  https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/   More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/ 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: [email protected] 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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• Dalan Animal Health – Vaccine Updates & Breakthrough Discoveries (329)

  In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Amy Floyd and Everett Hendrixon of Dalan Animal Health back to the podcast to discuss the latest developments surrounding honey bee vaccination. With spring queen orders underway, many beekeepers are exploring the option of vaccinated queens to help protect their colonies from brood diseases and beyond. Amy, head of beekeeper relations and a former USDA researcher, shares her journey into beekeeping and how she came to work with Dalan. Everett, Dalan’s sales manager, offers insights into the commercial side of introducing this new technology to the industry. Together, they provide updates on the AFB vaccine’s acceptance and distribution, and importantly, highlight emerging evidence that the vaccine may also help reduce other serious threats, including deformed wing virus (DWV), chalkbrood, and sacbrood. The episode dives into how the vaccine works—not with needles, but via queen candy—and explains the principle of transgenerational immune priming. The team also explores recent field trials demonstrating up to 90% reduction in DWV, even in colonies with similar varroa levels, and how these unexpected benefits may shift how beekeepers think about disease prevention. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a sideliner considering new management tools this season, this episode offers valuable context on one of the most exciting health innovations for honey bees today. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Dalan Animal Health: https://dalan.com Dalan’s Colony Loss Relief Special Offer: https://dalan.com/offer/ Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com 2 Million Blossoms - The Podcast: https://2millionblossoms.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.   Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.  Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages:  https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/   More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/   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: [email protected] 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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