Beekeeping Today Podcast - Presented by Betterbee

Pests And Predators Episodes

Honey Bee Veterinarians with Tracy Farone, DVM (296)
Sept. 16, 2024

Honey Bee Veterinarians with Tracy Farone, DVM (296)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Tracy Farone, a large animal veterinarian who has applied her expertise to honey bees. Tracy shares her journey from caring for cows and horses to becoming a go-to resource for honey bee health. She...

Listen to the Episode
Dr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea: New Varroa Treatment (291)
Aug. 12, 2024

Dr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea: New Varroa Treatment (291)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea to discuss some groundbreaking developments in varroa mite control. Dr. Pettis, a renowned research scientist with over 20 years of experience at the USDA and...

Listen to the Episode
USDA-ARS Bee Lab Updates with Dr. Jay Evans (290)
Aug. 5, 2024

USDA-ARS Bee Lab Updates with Dr. Jay Evans (290)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Jay Evans from the USDA-ARS Beltsville Bee Lab. Jay shares his vast experience and insights into honey bee research, focusing on the critical issues affecting beekeepers today. From his beginnings studying...

Listen to the Episode
All New AFB Vaccine with Dalan Animal Health (S6, E51)
June 3, 2024

All New AFB Vaccine with Dalan Animal Health (S6, E51)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky delve into the groundbreaking development of the first American Foulbrood (AFB) vaccine for honeybees with Annette Kleiser, co-founder of Dalan Animal Health, and Tim Ferris, a commercial beekeeper based in Pennsylvania...

Listen to the Episode
Honey Bee Viruses with Dr. Michelle Flenniken (S6, E48)
May 13, 2024

Honey Bee Viruses with Dr. Michelle Flenniken (S6, E48)

(#277) In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of honey bee virology with Dr. Michelle Flenniken from Montana State University. As a seasoned researcher specializing in honey bee viruses, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge that's both...

Listen to the Episode
Managing Varroa in Your Colonies with Dr. Kirsty Stainton (S6, E44)
April 15, 2024

Managing Varroa in Your Colonies with Dr. Kirsty Stainton (S6, E44)

(#273) In this enlightening episode, we delve into the complex world of Varroa management with the insightful Dr. Kirsty Stainton. As beekeepers eagerly set up their new colonies, the specter of Varroa destructor looms large, threatening the health...

Listen to the Episode
Dr. Erika Plettner: Using Chemoreceptor Confusion Against Varroa (S6, E43)
April 8, 2024

Dr. Erika Plettner: Using Chemoreceptor Confusion Against Varroa (S6,…

(#272) In the latest episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, we dive into the pressing issues facing beekeepers today with our guest, Dr. Erika Plettner from Simon Fraser University. As beekeepers, we are all too familiar with the challenge of...

Listen to the Episode
Beekeeping and Varroa Downunder with Liz Frost (S6, E40)
March 18, 2024

Beekeeping and Varroa Downunder with Liz Frost (S6, E40)

(#269) In this episode, Becky and her guest cohost and Bee Culture writing partner, Bridget Mendel, take you on a journey with Liz Frost, an American beekeeper turned technical specialist in honeybees for the New South Wales Department of Primary...

Listen to the Episode
How To Get Started With Bees in 2024, Part 4 of 4 (S6, E39)
March 11, 2024

How To Get Started With Bees in 2024, Part 4 of 4 (S6, E39)

(#268) In the concluding episode of our four-part series on "How To Get Started With Bees," we explore the crucial topics of parasites, pathogens, predators, and pesticides—from this point on, to be collectively known as the “four Ps of...

Listen to the Episode
Educating Honey Bee Veterinarians with Meghan Milbrath and Eva Reinicke (S6,E30)
Jan. 8, 2024

Educating Honey Bee Veterinarians with Meghan Milbrath and Eva Reinic…

In this episode, Dr. Eva Reinicke, DVM, of Northfield, Minnesota joins Becky and guest cohost, Dr. Meghan Milbrath, assistant professor at Michigan State University. One focus of Meghan’s MSU bee lab is honey bee medicine training for veterinary...

Listen to the Episode
Varroa and Tropilaelaps Updates with Dr. Sammy Ramsey (S6, E23)
Nov. 20, 2023

Varroa and Tropilaelaps Updates with Dr. Sammy Ramsey (S6, E23)

In this enlightening episode, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Samuel Ramsey for his fifth appearance on the podcast. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on honey bee parasites, ‘Dr. Sammy’ brings his wealth of knowledge and passion for bee health...

Listen to the Episode
European Foulbrood with Dr. Meghan Milbrath (S6, E22)
Nov. 13, 2023

European Foulbrood with Dr. Meghan Milbrath (S6, E22)

On today’s episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Meghan Milbrath, assistant professor at Michigan State University. Meghan splits her time between teaching at the MSU veterinary school, extension and research. On today’s episode, Meghan discusses...

Listen to the Episode
Deterring Bears using Electric Fencing with John Rath (S6, E16)
Oct. 2, 2023

Deterring Bears using Electric Fencing with John Rath (S6, E16)

Fall is here. No amount of denial no longer can hide that fact, now.  There is lots to do to prep the bees for the coming cold months. You should be well down that task list of colony preparation. In this episode, we talk with Betterbee co-owner,...

Listen to the Episode
Archive Special: HBHC Varroa Management Updates with Dr. Dewey Caron (S6, E11)
Aug. 28, 2023

Archive Special: HBHC Varroa Management Updates with Dr. Dewey Caron …

On today’s episode we are joined by professor, author and noted speaker Dr. Dewey Caron. Dewey is an active member of the Honey Bee Health Coalition where he helps with the creation and maintenance of the Coalition’s Hive Management program. Today...

Listen to the Episode
Amiflex with Véto-Pharma's Amber Leach and Miguel Rodriguez (S6, E07)
July 31, 2023

Amiflex with Véto-Pharma's Amber Leach and Miguel Rodriguez (S6, E07)

In this episode we talk with Amber Leach, North American Sales Manager, and Dr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez, DVM, and Business Development Head, from Véto-Pharma. Véto-Pharma is just rolling out and the distribution of their newest varroa control...

Listen to the Episode
The Spotted Lantern Fly and Bad Honey with Dr. Robyn Underwood (S5, E50)
May 29, 2023

The Spotted Lantern Fly and Bad Honey with Dr. Robyn Underwood (S5, E…

In today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Robyn Underwood of Penn State’s Lopez-Uribe Lab. We’ve invited Robyn as she has researched and written about the Spotted Lantern Fly and how its presence can impact honey production. Have you ever tasted your...

Listen to the Episode
Varroa Control with Bill Hesbach (S5, E48)
May 15, 2023

Varroa Control with Bill Hesbach (S5, E48)

On today's show, we invite Connecticut Master Beekeeper, Bill Hesbach back to the show to talk about the latest developments in practical varroa management. Whether you are a long time beekeeper, aka BVD beekeeper (Before Varroa Destructor) or a new...

Listen to the Episode
Dr. Samuel Ramsey - Fall 2022 Updates - (S5, E21)
Nov. 7, 2022

Dr. Samuel Ramsey - Fall 2022 Updates - (S5, E21)

Boulder, Tropilaelaps, Hippy Varroa and More

Listen to the Episode
Winter Bees, Summer Bees and Imidacloprid (S5, E19)
Oct. 24, 2022

Winter Bees, Summer Bees and Imidacloprid (S5, E19)

Winter bees, those bees that emerge during the cold winter months when there is little to no exposure to the world outside, are very different from summer bees, which emerge during the hectic and exposed to everything bees are exposed to in their...

Listen to the Episode
HBHC Varroa Management Guide Updates with Dr. Dewey Caron (S5, E14)
Sept. 19, 2022

HBHC Varroa Management Guide Updates with Dr. Dewey Caron (S5, E14)

On today’s episode we are joined by professor, author and noted speaker Dr. Dewey Caron. Dewey is an active member of the Honey Bee Health Coalition where he helps with the creation and maintenance of the Coalition’s Hive Management program. Today...

Listen to the Episode
Project Apis m - Costco Scholarship Awards (S5, E11)
Aug. 29, 2022

Project Apis m - Costco Scholarship Awards (S5, E11)

When we started this podcast back in 2018, not only did we want to bring you the known and established voices in beekeeping and honey bee research, we also set out to highlight the new voices. Today’s episode we introduce two new researchers....

Listen to the Episode
The Small Hive Beetle with Drs. Morgan Roth and Aaron Gross  (S5, E05)
July 18, 2022

The Small Hive Beetle with Drs. Morgan Roth and Aaron Gross (S5, E05)

On this episode, we learn share everything you ever wanted to know about Small Hive Beetles, with Drs. Morgan Roth and Aaron Gross, from Virginia Tech. Small hive beetles cause about $3 million dollars damage to US beehives every year. Today we...

Listen to the Episode
Pol-Line VSH Honey Bees with USDA-ARS Drs Frank Rinkevich and Mike Simone (S4, E47)
May 9, 2022

Pol-Line VSH Honey Bees with USDA-ARS Drs Frank Rinkevich and Mike Si…

Drs. Michael Simone-Finstrom and Dr. Frank Rinkevich, are research entomologists at the Baton Rouge Honey Bee Research Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA. They have completed an extensive set of tests in commercial beekeeping operations on mite resistance,...

Listen to the Episode
Scientific Beekeeping with Randy Oliver (S4, E34)
Feb. 7, 2022

Scientific Beekeeping with Randy Oliver (S4, E34)

On today’s episode, we are joined by Randy Oliver. If you don’t read Randy’s ABJ column and don’t check in on his  you’ve been missing some of the most up to date news on breeding mite resistant bees, and the newest, best mite treatment...

Listen to the Episode