The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast

Nathalie and John sit down with Niki Backes, Supporter Manager for Bees Abroad, to discuss what got her interested in Beekeeping, and how she came to be involved with Bees Abroad.  Plus, what is Bees Abroad, how are they making a difference in other countries, and what can you do to help?  Tune in now to learn more… Link:https://www.beesabroad.org/

Nathalie and John sit down with long-time friend of the show, Tara Chapman, to discuss her new book "For the Bees: A Handbook for Happy Beekeeping."  Plus, the gang catch up on life changes that have caused Tara to have to re-evaluate how she runs aspects of her day-to-day business.  Tune in now to learn more... To purchase a copy of Tara's new book, you can visit: https://www.twohiveshoney.com/book/ *And be sure to use the code "JIVE" to save 15%   And if you are interested in joining one of her classes, you can see all the details and fill out an application by clicking Here!

This week John and Nathalie sit down with Randy McCaffrey of 628 Dirt Rooster YouTube Fame to discuss how he got started in bees, and what all it took to build his YouTube channel up to nearly 40 Million Views!  Tune in now to learn more…

This week John finally got to fulfill a podcast-long goal of sitting down with the creator of Bella Beek and host of Beekeeper Confidential… the one and only… Mandy Shaw!   Join us as John and Nathalie catch up with Mandy and learn what her journey has been like thus far, as well as what she has planned for the future.  Tune in now to learn more…

Nathalie and John recap a few topics from the recent interviews with Tracy, Tucka, Gemma, and Peggy.  Are mites really the line in the sand that beekeepers make it out to be today?  Plus, it’s time for another Ken’s Cooking Corner where he continues his Sourdough addiction with some Sourdough Oatmeal Cookies made with Honey.

This week John and Nathalie sat down with Peggy DeSanto, co-founder of Bee the Change and The Hive Hugger.  The group discusses how Peggy got started in Beekeeping, what inspired her to create the Hive Hugger, and how important it is to make sure your hives are properly insulated.  Plus, how does Peggy feel about the current state of beekeeping?  Tune in now to learn more…

This week John and Nathalie sit down with Gemma Astley from Homestead Hens and Honey to catch up on all things Homesteading, Chicken Keeping, and Bees!  The group covers a wide range of topics including if Gemma has changed her opinions on Hive Styles, a discussion on queen mysteries, and how Gemma feels about the current state of beekeeping.  Tune in now to learn more…

This week John and Nathalie sit down with the one and only Tucka Saville to learn what it was like keeping bees between New York and Florida, as well as catching up on the latest changes in the world of Tucka Bee as she dips her toes into the commercial world of contracted beekeeping in Florida.

This week John sits down with Tracy Pielemeir to discuss how she got into beekeeping, started the North Central Beekeepers Club, came up with the concept for The Hive Butler, and to find out what she thinks about the current state of beekeeping.  Tune in now to learn more…

John and Nathalie discuss a few takeaways from their recent interview with Angela Tollerson, plus the pair go a bit more in-depth with a few of the concepts that were mentioned.  Tune in now to learn more…

John and Nathalie sit down with Angela Tollerson, a fellow Master Beekeeper, to have an engaging conversation about how she sees the world of beekeeping today.  Hear her perspective on some common issues, what challenges she faces in her own beekeeping, and what is she doing to help overcome them.  Tune in now to learn more…

For the first interview episode of the season, we sit down with none other than Ken Milam to discuss his views on the current state of beekeeping.  Tune in now to learn more...

It's time to address that big fuzzy striped elephant in the room that is Season 4.  John sits down with us for a personal one-on-one and explains what has kept the show on hiatus for so long, and what it means for the future of The Hive Jive.  Tune in now to learn more...

This week Nathalie and John discuss topics from a recent Bee Informed Partnership panel discussion on queen genetics and queen health/viability.  Tune in now to hear their thoughts on a few key topics regarding Queens and how it relates to recent topics... BIP Queen Panel Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4ndh02r9Ac

In today's Beekeeper Chat, we get an update from Nathalie about her recent swarm captures, some things they both would like to try now that swarm session is under way, and John give a few updates about his new bees and also lets us in on his recent hive building misadventures.  Tune now to learn more...

Today John and Nathalie discuss how recent studies have revealed that a beehive can help identify the nuances of a cities unique biome by collecting and storing the microscopic bacteria, yeast, spores, and other fungal matter that reside in that specific city.  Tune in now to learn more... Article Link: https://theweek.com/environmental-news/1022253/honeybees-help-gather-data-about-a-citys-health

Breaking News! John's bees arrive TOMORROW morning and he hasn't even started building his hives yet!!  How exactly does one forget something so important and exciting as the arrival of new bees?  Well, John and Nathalie discuss this out of sight, out of mind scenario in today's beekeeper chat.  Tune in now to hear all about it...

Today Nathalie and John revisit a topic that was originally discussed back in 2021 on the possible effects of EMF on bees.  With new research being presented, and new definitions of RF-EMR (Radio Frequency Electro Magnetic Radiation), the pair have decided that it is time to take another look at the possible effects that our electronics are having on our bees.  Tune in now to learn more...

Today Nathalie and John discuss new research that suggests younger bees learn the finer details of a precision Waggle Dance from older more experienced bees.  What implications could this have on how we view our colonies, and the decisions we make on their behalf?  Tune in now to learn more...

In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss the topic of Queen Excluders.  What were they designed for? How do you use them?  When should they be used? And, are they even really required?  Tune in now to find out what the pair think about this often touchy subject...

Today John and Nathalie discuss a comb guide that was recently brought to John's attention from a listener.  This comb guide is meant to be placed on the bottom of Topbar hive bars in order to help encourage the bees to draw out their comb in a straight line.  However, this specific comb guide claims several other advantages that make it stand out from all others... including nature itself.  Is this latest hive invention all it is cracked up to be?  Tune in now to hear John and Nathalie's initial impressions for the prospects of the Safe Passage Comb Guide...

Today John breaks the news to Nathalie that he is now back down to zero colonies.  Despite everything looking great for the "Oh Bee One Colony" going into winter, things took a drastic turn somewhere along the way.  This has left John with more questions than answers.  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Feb 28th, 2023)

Recently, a listener brought up the subject of Re-Wilding honey bees in the comments after discussing Honey Bees as the Poster Child for the Save the Bees movement.  So, in today's beekeeper chat, John and Nathalie attempt to tackle the concept of "Re-Wilding" and whether this is a good idea or not.  Turns out, it is not an easy subject and there are a lot of variables that can make the concept go either way. Tune in now to learn more!   (Original Air Date: Feb 22nd, 2023)

Today Nathalie and John discuss whether the fact that the Honey Bee has become the Poster Child of the "Save the Bees" movement is a good thing, or if it could have it's own unintended consequences.  There are pros and cons to both sides of this, and of course it all depends on how you look at it.  Tune in now, and let us know what you think about this scenario...   (Original Air Date: Feb 15th, 2023)

This week, John and Nathalie discuss their preferred queen rearing methods.  What strategies have they tried, what has worked well and what hasn't, and do they agree on the best practices?  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Feb 8th, 2023)

your own beekeeping operation without stepping on the toes of those who might have mentored you along the way.  Are there ways to avoid these types of situations from the start, and what if you find yourself in the middle of this type of situation unintentionally?  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Feb 1st, 2023)

In today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John discuss some new research that shows the potential side effects of OA (Oxalic Acid) treatments and the impacts it has on developing larvae.  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Jan 25th, 2023)

In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John tackle a couple of listener questions regarding the use of plywood or OSB boards when building hives, as well as the effects on newly drawn wax when feeding sugar.  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Jan 18th, 2023)

The USDA has recently approved the 1st vaccination for Honey Bees!  This specific vaccination is to help colonies guard against AFB infections, also know as American Foulbrood disease.  Tune in now to hear Nathalie and John's take on this new concept for beekeeping!   (Original Air Date: Jan 11th, 2023)

John and Nathalie are back to kick off the new year with a bang!  But, unfortunately John has experienced another setback in his beekeeping journey... as have a few others out there in Bee Land.  Plus, the pair tackle a listener question about whether a hive population is too big to be condensed down.  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Jan 4th, 2023)

Just in time for Christmas, the gang is all back together to bring you the 2023 year in review!  Catch up with John, Nathalie and Ken as they recap the stats from the podcast over the last year.

Just in time for the Holiday weekend, Nathalie and John are up early and decked out in their holiday PJs to bring you one final Beekeeper Chat for 2022.  The pair recap some of the past episodes from this year, as well as theorizing what the new year might hold for each of them.  Tune in now and help us wrap up 2022!   P.S.   From all of us here at The Hive Jive, we wish you and yours a very happy, warm, and safe holiday season!   P.S.S.  John apologizes in advance, again, for not having the correct mic turned on... yet again...  Soooo Sorry!   (Original Air Date: Dec 24th, 2022)

Today John and Nathalie discuss a hot button issue on the pros and cons of Honey Queen/Princess programs at the various levels of local clubs to national associations.  While there are many benefits to such programs, could some aspects be a bit outdated... and potentially undermine the whole point of the program?  Tune in now to hear some honest opinions from two people who have been in the middle of such programs...   *And John apologizes in advance for not having the correct mic turned on...   (Original Air Date: Dec 21st, 2022)

This week Nathalie and John discuss the touchy subject of volunteering at the different levels of various bee associations and clubs.  From the local town club, to county clubs, and state associations, there can be a very drastic range of options, commitments, and personalities to deal with.  Have you ever volunteered to help out your favorite bee club?  Do you want to?  Should you?  Tune in now to learn more, but brace yourself as this could be a sticky subject!   (Original Air Date: Dec 14th, 2022)

Today Nathalie and John discuss some of the ways you can rekindle the spark you originally felt that can help you reconnect and remind you why you love beekeeping so much.  We all have frustrations from time to time, and we can feel at a loss, or defeated.  So how does one pull themselves back up from that?  Tune in now to hear our favorite things about beekeeping, and methods we use to help reignite that spark!   (Original Air Date: Dec 7th, 2022)

John and Nathalie take a stroll down memory lane and share a few stories from their past experiences that are both humorous, as well as great examples of why we always need to be aware of our surroundings when doing beekeeping.  We tend to become very focused on the bees themselves and can often forget that there are other things lurking that could cause us some unexpected issues.  Tune in now to learn more..   (Original Air Date: 11/30/22)

For today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John go back and revisit a topic that John and Ken originally covered on a bonus episode back in September of 2020 regarding a Thymol Entrance Portal.  It has been a couple of years, and this product, now called HiveGuard, is nearing the end of it's testing trials and is said to be releasing to the public in the coming months.  Has John's opinion of this device and its treatment method changed over the years?  And, how does Nathalie feel about the concept of constantly treating your hives with Thymol?  Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: 11/23/22)

The first cold snap of winter for 2022 has finally arrived and it has John questioning what has really changed with beekeeping over the last century.  Join us as Nathalie and John discuss whether or not he core concept is really any different today than it was way back when.  Plus, get some updates about recent changes, and some insights into John's recent Hive Insulation video.   (Original Air Date: 11/16/22)

For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss different ways that they have improvised various aspects of their beekeeping practices.  This type of 'out of the box' thinking can come in handy in a pinch, and just might save the day.  Tune in now to learn more, and let us know some of your own improvised tricks!   (Original Air Date: 11/9/22)

In today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John discuss some new and exciting research revolving around honey bee swarms.  Plus, a few other odd occurrences in beekeeping news from around the world. Tune in now to learn more...   (Original Air Date: Nov 2nd, 2022)

We should always strive to keep learning, putting ourselves out there, and gaining new experiences.  So, for this week's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie details some details about her recent trip to Missouri for a beekeeping seminar, and her takeaways from the experience.  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: Oct 26th, 2022)

We all have those moments, some more than others, when we have the best of intentions to get something accomplished... but it can wait until tomorrow.  Tomorrow becomes next week, or even next month.  In beekeeping we often have these moments as other distractions seem to take precedence.  However, there are times when things really can't be put off.  And, in those instances, if we ignore our responsibility and things go awry... we can only blame ourselves.  Tune in now to hear more and have a laugh at our expense...  (Original Air Date: Oct 19th, 2022)

Do imported Honey Bees actually outcompete our Native Bees?  This week Nathalie and John approach this evolving question first from a rational standpoint, and then start digging in deeper with a little bit of scientific backing.  Could we be unknowingly be doing a disservice to our local environment?  Are there ways we can help to offset the issue if there truly is a problem?  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: Oct 5th, 2022)

Clearly there was no clear path for this week's Beekeeper Chat as the pair jump from topic to topic with their only goal being to try and stay focused on Bees!  John gives an update on his two hives, and the status of the colony from the bear attack.  They also discuss the initial plans on how to help overwinter this colony with a modification of the topbar conversion hive, and John points out that the bees agree with him on some of the flaws with the molded plastic nuc boxes.  Plus, a new article in Bee Culture creates a stir... Tune in now to learn more! (Original Air Date: Sept 21st, 2022)

Today Nathalie and John discuss the pros and cons of both being a mentor, and being an apprentice.  As with anything, you get out of it what you put into it, and it all starts with choosing wisely.  Have you ever considered apprenticing along with someone, or do you have what it takes to be a mentor to someone else?  Tune in now to learn more about how to make the best of these experiences  regardless which role you find yourself in... (Original Air Date: Sept 14th, 2022)

For today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss new research into h. saltator ant queens which is helping to reveal how queens in a superorganism are able to sustain such long lifespans.  With ants, termites, and honey bees being so closely related, could this also help to shed light on why our own queen bees are able to live for so long despite the great energy demand of constantly reproducing offspring?  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: Sept 7th, 2022)

In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss the pros and cons of attempting to give a hive more ventilation during a heatwave, and John gives us an update on the Bear situation.  Plus, the pair discuss a "What If" scenario where someday there might be a mite treatment that has zero negative effects on the bees themselves.  Would that change things, and would it actually be beneficial to the bees? (Original Air Date: Aug 31st, 2022)

John gives us a recap on what has transpired over the last 12 days.  He and Nathalie discuss what beekeeping would be like without your sense of smell.  Also, the Black Bear! (Original Air Date: Aug 24th, 2022)

We all have our challenges as we first start our beekeeping journey, but it might surprise you to know that even long seasoned and experienced beekeepers still have challenges that we face on a regular basis.  This can change from year to year and person to person, but there is always something new to learn or a challenge to overcome.  Tune in now to learn what current challenges face John and Nathalie in their own practices... (Original Air Date: Aug 10th, 2022)

Can you use a Tangential Extractor to get honey from a Topbar Comb without destroying the comb?  This week, Nathalie and John discuss the tricks and patience that would be needed to pull off such a feat.  Plus, is extracting the honey to save the comb for the bees really worth all the effort?  Tune in now to find out... (Original Air Date: Aug 3rd, 2022)

For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss a research paper written by Emily Nordic and James Ellis on the efficacy of pollen substitutes in honey bee colonies.  You can read the article yourself prior to listening, or tune in now to hear their thoughts on this pollen sub-ject.   (Original Air Date: July 27th, 2022)

For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John talk about the far futuristic technology that has been conceptualized over the last few years.  From Robotic Bees to Robotic Bee Vehicles, and even fully autonomous AI powered mega bee buildings, the possibilities seem endless.  But, are these future concepts really solving a problem, or perhaps creating their own unintended consequences?  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: July 20,2022)

In today's Beekeeper Chat, John and Nathalie continue their discussion about the unfolding situation in Australia with the introduction of the Varroa Mite.  This time the pair take a look at a recent article (link below) that implies the mites could be used as a biological weapon against feral honey bee colonies since the bees themselves could be considered an invasive species.  What would the repercussions be for such an action?  Tune in now to hear our beekeeper's opinions on the matter... (Original Air Date: July 6th, 2022)

In June of 2022 the unthinkable happened... Varroa Mites were detected in New South Whales, Australia.  Nathalie and John talk about what this could mean for our friends down-under, and the impacts it has already had for a few local beekeepers in the area.  Is there anything that can be done, or is this the beginning of the end for the last refuge from Varroa Destructor? (Original Air Date: June 29th, 2022)

For today's Beekeeper Chat, Nathalie and John tackle a beekeeper question based off of the recent "Ticking Timebomb" episode.  John also gives an update on his new hives and the pair cover a few random extra topics to finish out the chat.  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: June 22nd, 2022)

Today Nathalie and John go a bit further into the methods they are currently using to naturally convert a colony living in a Langstroth Hive over into a TopBar hive.  John has put one of Nathalie's first conversion methods to the test and is already having results.  The pair discuss some key points to keep in mind, plus Nathalie has a few other conversion ideas she is planning for future experimentation.  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: June 15th, 2022)

In this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John feel like there might be something fishy in the air.  John gives an update on his Apiary and re-introduction to bees, and the pair discuss how crucial it is to pay attention to descriptive words on honey labels lest you end up buying something fishy.  Oh, yeah, and Bees are Fish too!**Correction: In the first portion of this episode John is talking about his battle with Carpenter Ants. After comparing them to Wood Ants, he then accidentally interchanges carpenter "bees" for "ants," but he was still referring to Carpenter Ants and not bees. (Original Air Date: Jun 8th, 2022)

In this week's beekeeper chat, John gives Nathalie some scenarios that can be encountered during a hot summer dearth so that she can detail how she would personally approach each scenario.  Topics include shrinking colonies, the presence of wax moth larvae, and missing queens.  Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: July 13th, 2020)

Today, Nathalie and John discuss a recent docu-video that talks about whether bees truly are herbivores, or if there is more going on behind the scenes… Welcome to the microscopic world of microbes, bacteria, and fungi! Tune in now to learn more about how these tiny aspects might be making a big impact on the health and lives of our honeybees. (Original Air Date: June 1st, 2022)

In this week’s beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John tackle the sting of beekeeping. Literally, the sting, and its effects. Do you have an allergy to bee stings? Are you sure? Do you know the true definition of an allergic reaction verse a local reaction? Do you have an EpiPen, just in case, but have never been medically diagnosed as being allergic to stinging insects? Tune in now to learn more about the pros and cons of such devices, as well as how to tell if you are truly allergic to bee stings. (Original Air Date: May 18th, 2022)

In this week's edition of the Beekeeper Chat, John and Nathalie discuss the challenges and heartache that can be experienced on both sides of being the buyer waiting to get your bees, and the seller trying to fulfill their orders.  This, of course, is brought on by John's bee order being delayed again, and now at risk of being canceled completely... and he's not so sure he fully believes the reasoning behind the delays. Tune in now to get caught up on the latest from the Beeless Beekeeper! (Original Air Date: May 11th, 2022)

In a follow-up to the Natural Beekeeping Corner episode - pt 12 - Brood Dynamics with Fonta Molyneaux, John and Nathalie discuss the concepts of what it is to be an Intuitive Beekeeper.  How do you build up your own instincts so that you can be a better collaborator with your bees?  Tune in now to learn more...  (Original Air Date: May 4th, 2022)

In today’s beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John discuss the concepts of 3D Printed Hives. What styles are out there? What possible side-effects could the materials hold for the bees? Are they truly an option for every beekeeper, and should they even be considered if they were? Can they really help to “Save the Bees?” Tune in now to learn more… (Original Air Date: April 27th, 2022)

Don’t let all the fluff and random banter between these two beekeepers lull you into a false sense of security, as the main subject matter of this episode could be triggering for anyone who has a problem with little creepy crawlies. Today, Nathalie and John discuss a variety of topics ranging from updates on John’s lack of bees; a study on bananas in hives; Topbar hives in northern climates; chickens for pest control; and of course the pest themselves… Ticks! Scorpions, roaches, and maggots also get a special mention in this creep show of a crawly little episode as well. So, grab your favorite bug repellant and settle in for a potentially unsettling conversation.  Don’t look now, but I think there’s something crawling up your arm… (Original Air Date: April 20th, 2022)

In today's beekeeper chat, John has a variety of things on his mind.  Well, Varietal Honey things to be specific.  Nathalie and John talk through the concept of varietal honey and the processes that can be taken to achieve you goals.  Though, they also pose a few questions about the realities of the process along the way. Tune in now to learn more... (Original Air Date: April 2022)

In this latest beekeeper chat, John talks about surviving April Fools day and gives an update on Ken.  Nathalie and John then discuss the way comb is naturally built by bees and the different directions it goes during the process.  Perhaps this knowledge can also help you when planning your hive expansions and colony growth. (Original Air Date: April 2022)

In this edition of our Beekeeper Chats, Nathalie and John discuss some of the disturbing setbacks that have occurred with the banning of harmful pesticides.  Though it is jokingly called a conspiracy in the title, its really more like blatant disregard. (Original Air Date: March 16th, 2022)

John starts off today's beekeeper chat with a rant about certain people being selected to represent beekeepers on a world stage.  Oddly enough, this does somehow transition over into discussions about how selecting for the wrong things in our beekeeping practices can cause unintended consequences, even when we think we are doing it for the right reasons.  Tune in now to learn more! (Original Air Date: March 2nd, 2022)

Is killing your queen and replacing her really the answer to all beekeeping issues?  Hopefully you know the answer to that is a resounding NO.  But, just in case you are curious when might be a good time to pinch your queen, and when you should leave her to rule in peace, Nathalie and John tackle some scenarios that help you develop your own beekeeping intuition based on other evidence that the colony might be presenting, or is found in your surroundings.  Tune in now to learn more! (Original Air Date: Feb 23rd, 2022)

In this beekeepers chat, Nathalie and John expand on the concepts of Bias in Beekeeping that were touched on in the main segment episode titled “NBC pt 10 – James Lee.” What other ways does bias show up and how does it affect our own practices and our views of others? Tune in now to learn more… (Original Air Date: Feb 9th, 2022)

For this beekeeper chat, Natalie and John tackle the concept of keeping bees in plastic bottles as shown on a popular YouTube video.  Did their heads spin in circles and explode as they watched the video? Perhaps initially.  But... after watching the full video can they find some redeeming aspects to what they see?  Tune in now to find out more...

For today's beekeeper chat, John attempts to read (and fails several times) a research article on the nutraceutical values of honey that Nathalie brought to his attention.  The pair discuss points of interest that they each found of value in the published research paper, and touch on a couple of questions they might have about some of the research and its potential meaning.

In this week’s beekeeper chat, John and Nathalie discuss a 2019 research article that indicates queen bees not only have control over fertilization of eggs, but also can influence the egg size as well. The initial findings from this research show that eggs laid in queen cells were actually larger and weighed more than eggs laid in worker cells. Could this tie back in to the concept of a royal genetic code or bloodline? Tune in now to hear more!

In today’s beekeeper chat, John and Nathalie talk about the aspects of storage and space management and how it relates to both the type of hives you keep, as well as your own management practices. Can space management also equate to better time management? Tune in now to learn more! (Original Air Date: Dec 22, 2021)

In this latest edition of the Beekeeper Chats, John and Nathalie discuss the difference between individual bee immunity vs colony immunity and how these two aspects work together to help ensure the survival of the entire superorganism. (Original Air Date: Dec 8th, 2021)

What would beekeeping look like if it were done more from the perspective of the bee's natural preferences?  That is the concept of bee-centric beekeeping, where as many aspects as possible are lined up more in favor of what is best for the bee and not necessarily geared toward the convenience of the beekeeper.  Tune in now to learn more! (Original Air Date: Nov 25, 2021)

Based on a comment from a listener, today’s episode focuses on the ideals of treatment free beekeeping and whether or not those ideals can cross lines over into areas such as Anti-Vaccine. Though one might like to draw a parallel between the two subjects, they are actually very much perpendicular to one another and cannot be fairly compared. Is treating your bees the same as giving a human a life saving vaccine or immune boosting shot? Tune in now to hear our opinions on this matter. (Original Air Date: Nov 17th, 2021)

In this edition of our Beekeeper Chats, Nathalie and John tackle the subject of Honey Adulteration and the ethics that should be used when handling, marketing, and selling your own honey.   (Original Air Date: Nov 3rd, 2021)

For this week's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John talk about the concept of moving/relocation an established hive to a new location.  Whether it is just a few feet, across your yard, down the road, to the next county, or out of state... planning is important when moving an established colony and there are a few key aspects that translate to all scenarios. (Original Air Date: Oct 27th, 2021)

In this beekeeper chat session, Nathalie and John discuss how important it is to always be striving to learn new aspects of your favorite hobby - beekeeping!  This includes ways to help you discern quality educational sources and information from all the other noise that is out there flooding our daily lives.  Knowing that your information is coming from a reputable source will help maximize your learning without spending excess time trying to decipher the validity of the information being presented.    (Original Air Date: Oct 20th, 2021)

In today's beekeeper chat, Nathalie and John tackle the different wavelengths of a theoretical topic... the effects of EMF on Honeybees.  Do different frequencies have a positive or negative effect on bees?   Can an electromagnetic field doom the cognitive functions of bees?  Honestly, we have no idea.  But, it doesn't mean we can't apply our own experiences to the subject and theorize about it all the same! (Original Air Date: Oct 13th, 2021)

For the 16th segment in our Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie sits down with John to talk about her latest Hybrid Hive style where she has combined a permanent Langstroth hive box onto a Topbar Hive body to give beekeepers the options of moving from one to the other, and gaining the best of both worlds.  Tune in now to learn more!

This is a special BONUS episode of the Hive Jive. Today's focused subject is all about the Hard Knock Life of the Worker Bee!

This is a special BONUS edition of The Hive Jive. Today's topic will be an in depth look at the life and times of a queen bee. From egg, to swarm, John will take you on a detailed journey of what it means to be the Queen!

On this episode of The Hive Jive, the guys will take a look at the different beehive styles out there. Are you having a hard time trying to decide if you should start your beekeeping journey with a Langstroth hive or a Topbar hive? Don't fret! You can use these 5 considerations to help make your decision a bit easier.

In this episode of The Hive Jive, the guys will kick off their beekeeping journey by diving in head first. From common wasps, to a detailed breakdown of a honeybee's colony structure, and even a comedic look at a drone's life... prepare to learn more than you might have ever wanted.

What do you get when you take a Redneck Fishing Guide and pair him up with a Master Beekeeper? Well, we are about to find out! Join our hosts Ken Milam and John Swan as they take you on an adventure in Beekeeping.

In this introductory episode, John gives you a preview of what to expect from the show and some advice on how to navigate the different episodes and seasons.

In this episode our beekeepers, John and Nathalie, discuss the value of late season swarms and the cost they could pose to a beekeeper.  However, could they also be put to other uses to help prepare for winter?  What other things should be considered when doing our fall preparations, and when should you combine hives?  Tune in to our beekeeper chat to learn about these topics and more! (Original Air Date: Oct 6th, 2021)

Join Nathalie and John as they dissect a theological social media post that they both feel was a bit presumptuous and more than a little uninformed.  Whether you agree or not, this is a great thought experiment for you to use to do some self-reflecting on how you view your direct impact and relationship to your bees.   (Original Air Date: Sept 22nd, 2021)

Its time for another Beekeeper Chat... Nathalie and John as they talk about the various aspects of what a beekeeping business might entail.  How can you make money with bees?  What aspects speak most to you and how can you use that to your advantage?  Tune in now to learn more about some of the basic revenue opportunities when working with bees. (Original Air Date: Sept 15th, 2021)

Join Nathalie and John and they discuss some common pitfalls that you will inevitably encounter while pursuing your beekeeping adventures. (Original Air Date: Sept 8th, 2021)

(Original Air Date: Sept 21st, 2021) Following the final episode of Season 3 of The Hive Jive, John and Nathalie sit down for an unscripted chat about their views on beekeeping and provide some advice for new beekeepers.  Welcome to the first of many Beekeeper Chats!

For the 15th segment in our Natural Beekeeping Corner, Nathalie sits down with Bruce Rodriguez from Swarmstead Bees and Gardening to discuss catching swarms to increase his hive numbers, his process when catching swarms, and his views on natural beekeeping... Tune in now to learn more!

(Original Air Date: April 22nd 2021) Continuing over from the main segment episode where Tara taught us about the uses of Propolis, this bonus episode contains all the random tangents that the group got sidetracked with during the interview process. Needless to say, these were originally cut from the main episode in order to keep it under an hour long. So… tune in now to hear more about Tara’s baby news, Ken’s future cooking episode ideas, moving 25 hives across the state of Texas, desperate stories from trying to seal up hives, the group’s least favorite beekeeping month, people who inflate bee numbers, strange swarm calls, and Tara’s take on a certain individual who portrays poor beekeeping safety practices on social media.

(Original Air Date: April 15th 201) Today the guys talk about Ken’s Topbar that had a massive beard on the front. Could this be showing signs of swarming, or were they just trying to cool down? John discusses queen cups vs queen cells, and where they can be found for swarm purposes, as well as entrance discs being left on Queen Exclude. Ever heard of Drone Berries? Well, you will know what they are if you have a Topbar with an excluder and John explains why that occurs. The guys also discuss the internal dimensions of a Topbar and why a narrower interior can cause issues, thickness of hives and how it can throw off your final build, and even some tips about comb/bar rotation. Tune in now for these topics and more on this Hive Jive Junkie bonus episode!

(Original Air Date: Jan 21st 201) In this episode Ken and John discuss a few things to consider this mid-winter, as well as tackling a listener question about what to consider when looking to expand your apiary into multiple locations.  Tune in now to hear how the guy’s hives are doing and maybe you will find a thing or two that you can consider as well.

(Original Air Date: Dec 17th, 2020) Can you guess the theme of this episode?  John and Ken discuss bees using feces as a deterrent against giant hornets, they also discuss a bad book review, and have a brief talk about Ken's procrastination about combining colonies for winter prep.  Put on your wading boots, cause this one might get a bit messy.

(Original Air Date: Nov19th, 2020) John discusses the pros, cons, and potential pitfalls of laying the groundwork for a future notification system to beekeepers in the state of TX for when pesticides are going to be utilized in their area. Part of this comes back to hive locations technically being considered trade secrets, or proprietary information. Does volunteering to participate in such a list invalidate your right to keep your hive locations a secret? The guys also discuss some of the other challenges that this year has brought to the forefront, and how they might need to restructure their plans for the next season in order to adapt.