Claim OwnershipHobby Beekeeping
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© Copyright 2025 by Henry J. Svec
Description
Turning a 50 acre cash crop farm back to a wildflower bee sanctuary and business. Join me as I explain each week what we are doing and why we are bee "helpers" and not bee keepers. The name change on February 25, 2024, is reflected in the science that for me makes most sense. The goal is to listen to all aspects of beekeeping and to be an open and honest place for everyone to share their experience. The focus for our work and research continues to be on the conversion of the 50 acre farm back to nature and the re-wilding of lands in Nova Scotia. Treatment Free best describes what we are doing. Best to make that clear despite the usual backlash. Bee well.
235 Episodes
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What a week. My eyes were opened wide as I learned of this fraud. Not surprisingly, I was a part of it. Here's the story.
In this rare interview on my podcast, I bring on Dr. Gary Brook whose article I recently discussed on the ability to have bees treatment-free. It's a fascinating look at the evidence and clearly begs the question, Why aren't we all doing this?
The evidence is pretty clear now that beekeepers need not treat for mites. In this podcast, I discuss the recently published article that says using these two strategies can get you treatment-free.
While the USDA wants us to believe mites and viruses killed our bees this year, it's not true. Listen while I explain some common researcher tricks and also some common beekeeping mistakes to avoid. Yes, I loved the Dave Letterman "stupid human pet tricks" segments.
I record this podcast from the Bee House and discuss the benefits of this approach plus hive updates.
A bit of this and that, plus special thanks for sending me your comments.
In this podcast, I discuss a presentation made by Dr. Thomas Seeley 11 months ago, and how it is an important and valuable training tool for hobby beekeepers.
The bad air has made the bees jumpy and swarms continue to keep moving in.
Eliminating the stress bees face is very beneficial to their health, ability to produce large amounts of honey, and overall survival. Here are some thoughts on why it seems our bees are pretty chill.
I finally figured it out, hence this bonus podcast. If you are one of the few, here's the link to more information on the class. Remember the discount code is POD7 https://hankbee.gumroad.com/l/zwzsp
Two months ago, a swarm moved into a Warre hive. It is exploding with bees. What should I do this late in the season? Here's the link to the class, remember the discount is POD7
https://hankbee.gumroad.com/l/zwzsp
We have reduced entrances on all of our hives. It's one of those rules that has helped them survive. But now at night, we see them reducing their entrances even more. It's not all of our bees, but mostly those with a history of survival. What could be happening, and another reason why continuous hive entrance monitoring is valuable for the hobby beekeeper.
As I look for a bit of honey, several new findings emerge. Bees move honey around the hive so the queen can lay eggs and a steady flow of nectar despite the drought.
With all these hives and bees, I'm not sure what to do next. Here's a farm update and some ideas on the summer splits.
Looking at how to select the hives to split again and why it's a good idea.
Transferring a nuc into a standard hive within the beehouse was an enjoyable experience—updates on this new project and a beekeeping myth that is hurting our bees.
Maybe things will work out after all.
We take the month of June and refrain from touching our hives. It's tough, as we want to go in and look at things. Here's why we leave them alone with some split and swarm updates.
We have three different swarms that have chosen to live with us on the farm so far this year. Here are some hive updates and some thoughts about IPM.
Some of my 2 frame splits worked, many did not. What happened, what I did wrong, plus a new question and answer live session tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
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