The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast

You know you love them, thats why you keep sending them in! Its time for another round of listener questions to help get you through your tough spots. This is actually our longest episode to date, and it packed full of random and useful information just for you. Enjoy!

For some of us, the summer dearth is still lingering while others are already starting to feel the approach of fall. If you have not already done so, then Its time to start your fall preparations. In this episode the guys discuss some of the things you should keep in mind during this short transitionary period between seasons.

In this episode John and Ken are left reeling after a very topsy-turvy week of beekeeping bizarreness. Nothing went as planned, and they bees were defying all normal actions for this time of year. After this week John was left with one main statement… Seriously, WTF Bees?!?!

In this bonus episode of The Hive Jive, the guys go into a bit more in depth regarding the feeding of dry pollen substitutes. Tune in now to get your powdery fix!

The summer dearth is hitting hard, and with it can come various hardships for certain beekeepers and their colonies. The guys talk about some of the recent developments in Ken’s journey including the loss of a colony due to potential over-heating, and the loss of one of the treated colonies as well. They also discuss using dry pollen feeders to help supplement your colonies, and touch on a listener’s question.

Join us for a very insightful conversation with a child prodigy. Miss Mikaila Ulmer of Me and the Bees Lemonade makes a stop by The Hive Jive to visit with John and Ken about her amazing adventures thus far. Learn about what inspired her, and how she is now inspiring others with her presentations around the world.

The guys sit down with Tara Chapman of Two Hives Honey to discuss her ever evolving company and her relationship with bees. Don't miss this exciting interview with a remarkable lady who is helping to shape the lives of other female entrepreneurs and helping them find their voice.

Join us for a Special National Honey Bee Day Bonus episode of The Hive Jive with a special guest appearance from Tara Chapman of Two Hives Honey. Ken gets a chance to tell everyone about his first ever swarm capture! Happy National Bee Day everyone!

It may be your first year keeping bees, but it doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for next year’s potential honey harvest. How much honey will you have? What will you do with it? Can you sell it? How should you market your honey if you do sell it? Join us on today’s episode as the guys dream about Ken’s future (potentially award winning) honey.

In this episode Ken and John have come across a little red devil with legs in their recent inspection that prompts their first discussion about the Mighty Varroa Mite. This is just the foreshadowing of a much larger discussion that will be had in a multiple future episodes.

The guys take the time to bask in their 5 seconds of fame after learning an online blog ranking list put The Hive Jive as the #2 beekeeping podcast to listen to in 2019. They also discuss the merits and pitfalls of social media in beekeeping. And, we check in with Ken to see what he finds most interesting after having his bees for two months.

John kicks things off with a challenge to all of you, and he offers up Ken’s Honey as the reward! On a more serious note, it’s HOT out there! How does the heat affect the bees, and how do they cope? Plus, one more time around the block on how to know when to feed during the summer dearth, and what to feed. What are you waiting on? Download the episode and press play already!

In this episode of The Hive Jive, John and Ken discuss the mystery of the vanishing queen during the summer dearth. Did you really lose your queen, or can you just not spot her? The guys also address some listener questions that concern other hive issues at the beginning of the Summer Dearth.

John and Ken take you on a long and winding road of various beekeeping topics in an episode that is far from just ten minutes long. Just when you think they might wrap it up, the guys make sharp detour while jumping from topic to topic. From using honey for wound care, to brood reduction during a dearth, and even neighborhood beekeeping disasters… you’re bound to find something of interest.

The summer dearth is fast approaching; do you know what to do? For that matter, do you know what it means? John and Ken discuss how this time of year might affect your colonies and what you can do to help them out. There might even be some talk of bears… oh my!

In what might be the shortest episode to date, John and Ken tackle a couple more listener questions. Does freezing drone brood frames help reduce varroa? Do you have to clean out the cells after, or can the bees? How do we know bees can’t see red? What do they see in its place? Should you own a red bee suit? Tune in to find out!

With all the buzz in the news lately over bees interrupting baseball games, Ken and John reach out to Dirk Morgan, savior of the bees during the Cincinnati Reds game. Ken also gives John an update on how the topbar hives are progressing.

In this episode special guest Larry Weishuhn joins Ken and John to discuss how bees are a very important part of wildlife and habitat conservation. Every living thing is connected in some way, and sometimes we just have to stop and take a really close look at how our actions and what we do can impact everything else around us.

In this episode of The Hive Jive, John and Ken discuss the difference of Supering vs Nadiring when adding new boxes to your hive. They also break down the concept of making splits if you want to increase your colony numbers.

The wait is finally over, Ken got his first bees! John and Ken spent the weekend scouting locations and setting up Ken’s first four beehives. Working with what was built and (mostly) ready to go, Ken is starting off with two standard 10 frame Langstroths Deeps, and two 19 inch style Topbar hive bodies. Join us as the guys decompress and breakdown the events of Bee Day One on Ken’s journey into beekeeping.

Your new bees have just arrived and you want them to grow up big and strong. So, what do you feed them? How much and how often should you feed them? John and Ken talk spring/summer feeding tips, concepts, and advice on this episode of The Hive Jive.

This bonus episode contains random clips from previous releases of The Hive Jive that were originally edited out for time limits during their specific original episodes. Enjoy the randomness!

Join us for this special Bonus episode of The Hive Jive where the guys make a second attempt at answering YOUR listener questions! This discussion follows many topics such as how to cycle out old comb, feeding bees, varroa mites, and even whether boys can see better than girls. Wait, what...?

When getting started in beekeeping, waiting on your first colony to arrive can feel like an eternity. John and Ken talk through the process so that you know what is going on with packages, nucs, and queen bees during this crucial period before your first bees are ready for pickup.

In this Bonus episode of The Hive Jive, John and Ken discuss the importance of being aware of current legislation, doing your own research, and forming your own opinions about current affairs without blindly following what you see on social media.

Its April Fools Day and apparently all bets are off when the guys chase Easter bunnies around while trying to address random bee misconceptions on this episode of The Hive Jive! Good luck keeping this one on the right path.

On this episode of The Hive Jive, John and Ken interview world renowned natural beekeeper, and author of Top-bar Beekeeping, Les Crowder. Les' approach to beekeeping is, at times, a spiritural experience. Don't miss this special extended episode!

On this episode of The Hive Jive, the guys will take a moment to stop and smell the flowers... so to speak. They will discuss which flowers to watch for as spring begins, and what benefits those flowers provide to your bees.

On this episode of The Hive Jive, the guys will be holding their very first interview, with special guest, Texas Master Beekeeper - Pamela Yeamans. The trio will discuss a variety of topics, including Pamela's love for creamed honey, honey shows, and what she enjoys most about her bees.

Bonus Episode! Join the guys as they tackle your listener questions regarding Honeybees and Beekeeping. Learn why we mark our queens with colored dots, and what each color means. Find out why beekeepers breed queens, and how re-queening a colony change its behavior. Can Topbar hives survive extreme norther winters? Well, tune in to find out!

In this episode of The Hive Jive, the guys will discuss how to choose the best location to setup your Apiary. Finding the right spot to place your beehives can be a stressful process when you start your beekeeping journey. High ground, or low? Sun, or shade? South facing, or east facing? These are just a few of the many factors that will be considered in this segment.

This is a special BONUS episode of The Hive Jive. Its time we learn about the ultimate college frat house bee, also known as The Drone Bee!

On this episode of The Hive Jive, join the guys as they discuss how to acquire your first honeybees. Do you want a package of bees, or is the nuc a better option for your situation? How hard is it to catch a swarm? Where can you find bees in your area? Tune in to find out!

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.