Bonus Episodes

In this BTPS Varroa Treatments short, Jeff and Becky are joined again by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to explore amitraz—known commercially to most U.S. beekeepers as Apivar. As a synthetic miticide, Apivar has long been a cornerstone of mite control due to its effectiveness, wide temperature range, and bee-friendly properties. But as with many tools in the beekeeper’s arsenal, its strength may also be its vulnerability. David explains how amitraz works by overstimulating the varroa mite’s ner...

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with another insightful “audio postcard,” this time exploring the marvel of honey—its meaning for honey bees, its significance for beekeepers, and its surprising impact on human health. Dewey begins by examining how we define honey, touching on both scientific and regulatory perspectives, including recent efforts like the proposed Honey Integrity Act. He then dives into how honey is processed by bees—from nectar foraging to enzym...

In this Varroa Treatments Short, Jeff and Becky are once again joined by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to examine two early weapons in the war against varroa: Apistan and CheckMite+. These synthetic miticides—fluvalinate and coumaphos—once gave beekeepers a critical lifeline when varroa first emerged in U.S. apiaries in the late 1980s. But what started as a breakthrough quickly turned into a warning tale of overuse, resistance, and long-lasting chemical residues. David walks us through the hist...

In this episode of our BTP Shorts series on varroa treatments, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to explore VarroxSan—an extended-release oxalic acid strip used to manage varroa mites. David explains how this USDA-registered product works, its origins in South American formulations like Aluen CAP, and why its slow-release delivery makes it a valuable tool for maintaining mite levels throughout the brood cycle. Oxalic acid, a naturally occurring organic acid, is effective...

In this first episode of our Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts series on varroa mites, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to lay the foundation for an important multi-part series. Varroa mites continue to be the most damaging pest to honey bee colonies worldwide. In this introduction, the trio covers the biology and lifecycle of varroa, the damage they inflict, and why routine monitoring and informed treatment choices are critical for beekeepers. David explai...

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with his latest “audio postcard,” diving into summer apiary management. As the season heats up, Dewey asks: are we unknowingly stressing our bees through our supering choices? Drawing from a recent Brazilian study led by Dr. David De Jong, Dewey explores the physiological impacts of over-supering on honey bee colonies. The research found that adding too many foundation supers at once can elevate stress markers in forager bees—pot...

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff sits down with Jenna York, founder of Jeometry Beewear, a new line of protective beekeeping clothing designed specifically for women. Combining her 10 years of beekeeping experience with two decades in fashion design, Jenna shares how frustration with ill-fitting gear inspired her to create a solution from the ground up - women's beekeeping suits! Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Jeometry Beewear uses eco-friendly materials—including a breathab...

On this special edition of Shorts, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another “audio postcard” exploring the vital role of communication in supering—adding boxes to a hive for nectar storage and honey production. Dewey explains how supering is a message...

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...

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, we welcome back Dr. Dewey Caron for a quick yet insightful Audio Postcard on honey bee communication – Bee Scientist to Beekeeper, Beekeeper to Bee, and Bee to Bee. Dr. Caron shares timely advice for...

Welcome to today’s Beekeeping Today Podcast Short. We’re excited to have Simon Mildren, founder and CEO of HiveKeepers, an Australian agtech company revolutionizing the beekeeping industry. Simon, a firefighter turned beekeeper, has been...

The U.S. beekeeping industry is facing a crisis. Honey bee losses have skyrocketed, with commercial beekeepers reporting an average of 62% colony losses since June, as reported by Project Apis m. At the same time, critical USDA bee research programs...

In today's BTP Short, we talk with John Miller, of Miller Honey, who's family has been in beekeeping for over 130 years, about this winter's honey bee losses. Is it real or hyped? John provides a lifetime perspective to the losses so many beekeepers...

Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts brings you a quick dive into the latest buzz in beekeeping. In this first special episode, we welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani of Inside The Hive TV to discuss the alarming commercial colony losses reported this...

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of...

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of...

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of...

Recorded live from the Beekeeping Today Podcast booth at the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, Jeff prepared this update from special guests who stopped by the booth and from the floor, on the last day of the Expo Included in this...

Recorded live from the Beekeeping Today Podcast booth at the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, Jeff prepared this update from special guests who stopped by the booth. Included in this special episode are: Attending beekeepers Dr....