Bee Love Beekeeping... presented by Mann Lake

How do you reach out to local beekeepers to help save millions of bees after their transport truck jackknifes?In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, host Eric Bennett welcomes Tristen Tartaglia, a Southern Oregon beekeeper and owner of Southern Oregon Swarms, to share her remarkable story of saving millions of bees after a major truck accident.Tristen is deeply embedded in the local beekeeping community, performing 60–120 cutouts per year — including chemical-free removals of yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets.The episode also features a fascinating science segment on the waggle dance, revealing that bees actually communicate more precisely when a larger audience is watching — they literally dance better when they know someone is paying attention.The heart of the episode centers on Tristen's extraordinary effort at saving bees after a semi-truck jackknifed in Oregon in March 2026, dumping over 400 hives down a steep 30-degree ravine.Rather than stand by, beekeeper Tristan jumped into action, filmed the scene, and began physically moving broken hives and scattered frames to give the bees a fighting chance against the cold.After posting a raw video that reached 1.8 million Facebook views overnight, over 50 volunteers showed up to help with the rescue — daisy-chaining equipment up the hillside in a powerful display of beekeeping community spirit. Thanks to their tireless work, millions of individual bees were saved.Video Version of This Episode________________10% Discount on Color Collection hive kits. https://www.mannlakeltd.com/• Discount Code: SHOWMETHECOLOR_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected]'s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tristens-mission-to-save-the-bees?attribution_id=sl:8b4451bf-e9c5-4031-86f3-104cbd967cc1&lang=en_US&ts=1774745656&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_ta-amp20_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=facebook

"There is no such thing as ORGANIC U.S. honey!" Honey Dumping. Fake Honey & Much more with ABF President, Debbie Seib.The episode features beekeeper, Debbie Seib, president of the American Beekeeping Federation, who shares her decades-long journey from beginner to industry leader, offering insight into running a large-scale beekeeping operation and the realities of working closely with honey bees.Throughout the conversation, Debbie emphasizes that successful beekeeping relies heavily on education, mentorship, and adaptability. She discusses common challenges beekeepers face, such as seasonal food shortages, parasite management like varroa mites, and unpredictable environmental conditions that impact bees’ survival. The episode underscores that there is no single solution to keeping healthy bees—beekeepers must continually learn, rotate treatments, and stay attentive to hive conditions. Ultimately, the discussion reveals that while beekeeping can be demanding, it is deeply rewarding, especially when colonies survive winter and thrive in the spring. Video Version of This Episode________________10% Discount on Color Collection hive kits. https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Discount Code: SHOWMETHECOLOR_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] Beekeeping Federation: ABFnet.org

Making money selling honey takes business smarts! Catch all the Do's and Don'ts this week as we wrap up a two-part conversation with beekeeper, Danielle Brooks, founder of Honey Truck in St. Augustine, Florida. Danielle is a former family photographer turned full-time honey entrepreneur who runs a brick-and-mortar shop, farmers market operation, and wholesale distribution business. All while taking care of two children and 10 beehives.In this episode, she covers the practical side of selling honey — from packaging and customer retention to knowing when to say no to a big opportunity — plus shares some hard-won wisdom about balancing a growing honey business with life as a mom of two young kids. Plus of course, her TWO wild & crazy beekeeping stories that you won't want to miss!Missed Part 1? Check out Episode 312. https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/pro-secrets-how-to-make-money-selling-honey/Video Version of This Episode________________10% Discount on Color Collection hive kits. https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Discount Code: SHOWMETHECOLOR_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected]: https://www.honeytruck.com/

What does it take to make money selling honey? It's Marketing 101 for beekeepers! This episode of Bee Love Beekeeping features an interview with Danielle Brooks, whose experience turning a small beekeeping hobby into a real honey business, is full of invaluable information for all beekeepers. Most beekeepers undervalue their product and underestimate the importance of knowing who they're selling to. Brooke draws on her background in photography and communications to talk about storytelling as a sales tool: knowing your honey's origin, its seasonal character, and the beekeepers behind it gives you something to say that a generic jar simply can't. Her advice applies whether you have two hives or twenty — start with your audience, build a brand that speaks to them, price your product honestly from the start, and treat every sales interaction as a chance to educate. Video Version of This Episode________________10% Discount on Color Collection hive kits. https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Discount Code: SHOWMETHECOLOR_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected]: https://www.honeytruck.com/

Host Eric Bennett reaches out all the way to Gloucestershire, England to have a discussion with Stuart Roweth, beekeeper and inventor of Bee Gym and Bee Gym Slim. Stuart is on a mission to help bees fight back against varroa without chemicals. He walks us through his beekeeping journey, from receiving his first swarm in a cardboard box to developing the Bee Gym, a mechanical device that encourages bees to groom varroa mites off themselves using small flippers, spikes, and wires. The episode also features an Inside the Hive segment exploring how bees regulate summer heat through evaporative cooling, collecting water and fanning it across the comb in a system that predates human air conditioning by millions of years.Whether you're new to beekeeping or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. Stuart and Eric discuss the importance of staying open-minded when it comes to varroa management — testing before and after any treatment, combining mechanical tools like the Bee Gym with other IPM practices, and knowing when a chemical miticide may still be the right call. Stuart also shares a memorable story about performing a massive bee cutout from a Bristol rooftop, where bees had built rafter after rafter of comb over several years — a humbling experience that gave him an even deeper appreciation for the bees themselves and the dedicated beekeeping community that works tirelessly to protect them.Video Version of This Episode________________5% Discount on Live Bees, Beginner Essentials, and Bee-Friendly Plant Seeds at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] Gym

In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, host Eric Bennett wraps up a three-part conversation with Mann Lake's Kim and Steph — two experienced and enthusiastic beekeepers — covering the final entries on their top 10 list of decisions to make before getting into beekeeping. The discussion covers mindset, fear of stings, how many hives to start with, long-term goal setting, predator protection, and what to do with your honey. The episode also features an "Inside the Hive" segment on beeswax, plus Kim and Steph's hilarious — and slightly harrowing — story about a live TikTok inspection gone wrong.VIDEO VERSION________________5% Discount on Live Bees, Beginner Essentials, and Bee-Friendly Plant Seeds at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] & Steph: https://linktr.ee/MannLakeBeekeepingCommunity

What gear do beginning beekeepers need? What PPE do you need? Where do you place your hives? Where do you buy your bees? Smokers? Hive tools? All of these questions, and more, are answered here in Part 2 of our discussion with beekeepers, Kim & Steph. The "Inside the Hive" segment highlights the honey bee waggle dance, including new research showing individual bees navigate far more precisely than the dance itself can communicate.The episode concludes with a candid look at beekeeping philosophy, from treatment-free approaches to conventional varroa management. Steph shares a hard-learned lesson from losing a colony by avoiding treatment, and both hosts encourage rookie beekeepers to reflect on their own values, connect with local clubs or online communities, and stay open to evolving their approach over time.VIDEO VERSION________________5% Discount on Live Bees, Beginner Essentials, and Bee-Friendly Plant Seeds at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order. Follow Us: https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/follow/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] & Steph: https://linktr.ee/MannLakeBeekeepingCommunity

Don't Start Beekeeping Until You Have Made These 10 Decisions (Part 1)Host Eric Bennett sits down with Kim and Steph — seasoned beekeepers and popular TikTok content creators — to kick off an exciting multi-episode series covering the 10 most important decisions aspiring beekeepers need to make before taking the leap into beekeeping. Kim and Steph bring years of hands-on experience working with honey bees, and their enthusiasm and practical wisdom make this an essential listen for anyone considering starting their beekeeping journey. The episode also features a fascinating "Inside the Hive" educational segment on swarming behavior, that gives both new and experienced beekeepers a deeper appreciation for just how remarkable honey bees truly are.Whether you're a total beginner who has never been within ten feet of a hive, or a seasoned beekeeper looking to fill in a few gaps in your knowledge, this episode is packed with actionable insights, honest real-world advice, and plenty of laughs along the way. Eric, Kim, and Steph cover everything from the philosophical ("why do you even want to do this?") to the practical ("what kind of box should I buy?"), making this one of the most comprehensive beginner-focused beekeeping conversations you'll find anywhere. VIDEO VERSION________________5% Discount on Live Bees, Beginner Essentials, and Bee-Friendly Plant Seeds at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________10% Discount Primal Bee Hives: PrimalBee.com/BEELOVEDiscount Code: BEELOVE ________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] & Steph: https://linktr.ee/MannLakeBeekeepingCommunity

In this heartfelt and information-packed episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, we begin with an important update on new research revealing that neonicotinoid pesticides are even more harmful to honeybees than previously understood. Every beekeeper needs this information. From there, we head “Inside the Hive” to explore one of nature’s most fascinating transformations: how a queen bee and a worker bee start as identical eggs, and how just three days of royal jelly determines a worker bee's destiny. We also dive into the dramatic piping and dueling of emerging queen bees.Then, in a special Valentine’s-inspired discussion, host Eric welcomes his niece Juniper Bennett—a first-year beekeeper in rural Montana—for a candid and joyful conversation about starting her own apiary. From picking up her bees in an Applebee’s parking lot to homeschooling her kids through hive-building, Juniper shares what it’s like to begin beekeeping with intuition, love, and zero prior experience.This episode is about more than honey bees and beekeeping. It’s about stewardship, courage, family, and creating a sanctuary—both for pollinators and for ourselves. VIDEO VERSION________________5% Discount on Live Bees, Beginner Essentials, and Bee-Friendly Plant Seeds at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Primal Bee: https://primalbee.com/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] Bennett: https://www.onleorganics.com/

Beekeeping Winterization, Mentors, Varroa, Single Brood Management, Swarms, Advice for New Beekeepers... This episode is packed!In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, we dive deep into the world of honeybees and the humans who care for them. From a poetic opening that celebrates the harmony of the hive to practical, boots-on-the-ground advice, this episode blends wonder with real-world beekeeping wisdom.We kick off a new weekly segment, Inside the Hive, exploring how bees survive winter by clustering, vibrating to generate heat, and carefully managing their honey stores. Then, recorded live from the North American Honey Bee Expo, we sit down with beekeeper, educator, and YouTuber Josh Scott of Bees in the Weeds.Josh shares his journey into beekeeping during the pandemic, how to navigate the overwhelming flood of online advice, and why mentorship and local bee clubs matter more than ever.The conversation goes deep into winter preparation, mite management, feeding strategies, and Josh’s preferred method of single brood management—including its advantages, challenges, and how to manage swarming behavior.Whether you’re brand new to beekeeping or a seasoned beekeeper refining your management style, this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and a reminder that there’s more than one right way to keep bees.VIDEO VERSION________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.https://primalbee.com/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] Scott: https://www.youtube.com/@beesintheweeds

In this information-packed episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, we welcome master beekeeper Deborah Klughers for a rapid-fire deep dive into practical, real-world beekeeping. Building off her legendary “100+ tips” for beekeepers presentation, Deb shares hard-earned lessons on feeding strategies, hive stands, smoker safety, mite monitoring, drone brood management, and even the controversial—but fascinating—role of bee venom in beekeeper health.From her favorite baggie feeder system and why warm syrup matters, to a cautionary tale about toxic cinder blocks and treated pallets, Deb emphasizes that small management decisions can have life-or-death consequences for honey bee colonies. She also challenges conventional mite-testing wisdom, explaining why drone brood inspection and culling gives her clearer insight than alcohol washes alone.The conversation closes with a thought-provoking discussion on bee venom exposure, apitherapy, and why Deb believes beekeepers should rethink their relationship with stings—followed by her most important advice of all: listen to the bees. This episode is equal parts practical instruction, cautionary storytelling, and deep respect for the wisdom of the beehive.Video Version________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] Klughers: https://bonacbees.com/index.html https://www.instagram.com/bonacbees

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of honey bees, looking at how bees communicate, work together, and inspire humans—from scientists to everyday beekeepers. The show opens with a brief reflection on honey bees as masters of collective intelligence, followed by intriguing research suggesting that bees and their mathematical communication may even offer insights for extraterrestrial intelligence studies.The conversation then turns to Sung Lee, a passionate beekeeper whose backyard experiment in beekeeping grew into a full-blown obsession. What began as a way to help garden pollination evolved into managing more than 100 hives and producing thousands of pounds of honey. Sung shares how education, genetics, and community shaped his beekeeping journey, along with unforgettable stories—from breeding gentler honey bees to rescuing swarms, teaching new beekeepers, and unexpectedly becoming a viral social media sensation. This episode blends science, storytelling, and humor while celebrating bees, honey bees, and the joy (and chaos) of modern beekeeping.Video Version________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] Lee: https://www.tiktok.com/@sungleethebeecharmerhttps://www.youtube.com/@beecharmersung

Conversation with Dr. Jason Graham, Ph.D. Questions asked and answered.In this episode, we kick off our coverage from the North American Honey Bee Expo with an in-depth and surprisingly entertaining conversation with entomologist and beekeeper Dr. Jason “Dr. J” Graham. Recorded live on the bustling expo floor, this episode blends science, storytelling, and practical beekeeping insight.Dr. Graham shares his unconventional journey from high school dropout to PhD, and how a single beekeeping class sparked a lifelong passion for honey bees. From there, the discussion dives deep into the inner workings of the hive—exploring bee lifespans, age-based job roles, pheromone-driven decision-making, and why a colony functions more like a single “superorganism” than a collection of individuals.We also explore fascinating topics like swarming as colony reproduction, how queens are “put on a diet” before a swarm, the misunderstood role of drones, and why bees are far more flexible and adaptive than we often give them credit for. The conversation wraps with a look at modern innovations in beekeeping, including insulated and thermodynamic hive designs, sensors, AI-driven hive monitoring, and how new technology may be helping us better mimic the bees’ natural tree-hollow homes.Whether you’re a backyard beekeeper, a seasoned professional, or just bee-curious, this episode offers a fresh appreciation for the complexity, resilience, and mystery of honey bees.Video Version________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected] BeeBee Wise

In this episode, we reconnect with Chris Hyatt, past president of the American Honey Producers Association and a lifelong commercial beekeeper managing 18,000 colonies across North Dakota, California, and Washington. Chris returns to give an unfiltered look at the state of commercial beekeeping after one of the most challenging years on record.The conversation opens with a reflection on devastating winter losses, where even the most experienced operators saw colonies wiped out despite best management practices. Chris explains why there is no single cause—amitraz resistance, viral loads, pesticide exposure, weather, and management variables all intertwine to create what he calls a “complex mess.”From there, the discussion broadens to economics: low honey prices, rising labor and input costs, consolidation within the industry, and cautious optimism around pollination markets—particularly almonds. Chris also dives deep into policy and advocacy efforts, including the Honey Integrity Act, FDA oversight, honey fraud, and the push to promote American honey to consumers who often don’t realize what’s actually in the bottle on grocery store shelves.The episode wraps with reflections on the art and labor of commercial beekeeping, advice for hobbyists, and a powerful story linking beekeeping, land use, and the disappearance of sage grouse in the northern plains—underscoring how closely pollinators, wildlife, and agriculture are connected.Video Version: https://youtu.be/gLsiYWfrY4k________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected]

In this episode, we kick off Season 3 by diving deep into the North American Bee Strategy with special guest Matt Mulica of the Honey Bee Health Coalition. Together, we explore the biggest challenges facing honey bees and beekeepers today—and what’s being done across the U.S. and Canada to address them.From Varroa mites and emerging threats like Tropilaelaps, to honey fraud, beekeeping economics, pesticides, forage, and applied research, this is a wide-ranging and practical conversation for beekeepers of all experience levels.Along the way, we discuss why “live and let die” is not a Varroa management strategy, how agriculture and beekeepers can (and must) work together, and why protecting honey authenticity matters for both consumers and beekeepers. Plus, a reminder that beekeeping is officially cool—with a long list of celebrity beekeepers to prove it.Video Version: https://youtu.be/tEZqo01uSrI________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Matt Mulica: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/ Full Report: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/nabs/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected]

"Desensitization" is the key, but how is it applied?In this final installment of the Apitherapy series, we return to Romania to sit down once more with Dr. Stefan Stangaciu, MD, beekeeper and one of the world’s leading authorities on apitherapy. Building on the foundation laid in episodes 250 and 251, this conversation takes a deep dive into how bee products can be used to support the body in cases of seasonal allergies and hay fever.Dr. Stangaciu explains the science behind pollen allergies, distinguishing between airborne anemophilous pollen and the heavier pollen collected by honey bees. He outlines traditional and modern desensitization strategies using local honey, bee pollen, propolis, and the increasingly popular beehive air therapy practiced throughout Europe.The episode also explores how beehive air works on a physiological level, including the role of trace allergens, anti-inflammatory pheromones, and volatile compounds from beeswax and propolis. Along the way, listeners learn what practices are safe to try on their own, when to involve medical professionals, and how beekeepers can responsibly expand into apitherapy services.Wrapping things up, Dr. Stangaciu shares a memorable and humorous beekeeping story, offers practical advice on combining bee products for health support, and leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: understanding the composition of bee products unlocks their true potential.Video Version: https://youtu.be/jyqPCgnv5X8________________Discount on Live Bees & Beginner Essentials at Mann Lake: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/Discount Code: GETSTARTEDINBEES_________________Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.Dr. Stangaciu: https://apitherapy.com/https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/[email protected]