Episodes

Artificial intelligence is rapidly finding its way into everyday tools—but where does it fit in the bee yard? In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman begin exploring how beekeepers can put AI to practical use without treating it as an unquestioned authority. Jeff and Becky discuss using AI to organize colony inspection notes, create spreadsheets for mite monitoring, analyze data, help locate research and extension resources, and assist with projects such as grant ap...

Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman talk with Dr. Geoff Williams, Dr. Nathalie Steinhauer, and Dr. Agostina Giacobino about the U.S. Beekeeping Survey, preliminary 2025–26 colony-loss results, continuity after the Bee Informed Partnership, Varroa-management trends, survey methodology, new management dashboards, state participation, and why summer losses deserve as much attention as winter losses.

Dr. Dewey Caron explores smoker use and wildfire smoke in this installment of Bee Science. Learn why he describes smoke as changing bee behavior, how he approaches fuel and hive inspections, and what alternatives to a smoker can offer. Dewey also discusses wildfire losses, bee navigation, native bee habitat, and unanswered questions about ash exposure before closing with ten points on smoke and fire safety.

Spacecraft engineer and beekeeper Dan Seitz joins Jeff and Becky to discuss ApisNode, a compact colony-monitoring system measuring temperature, humidity, sound, vibration, gases, and other data inside the hive. Dan explains how AI, beekeeper-recorded inspections, long-range communications, and the Open Apiary Project could help reveal patterns in honey bee colony behavior that conventional inspections may miss.

Dr. David Peck joins Jeff and Becky to discuss Api-Bioxal RTU, a ready-to-use oxalic acid dribble for Varroa management. They cover dosage, application, broodless versus brood-right colonies, repeat treatments, shelf life, storage, temperature considerations, and how RTU differs from homemade oxalic acid dribbles.

Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Beekeepers Quarterly co-editors Dr. Andrea Quigley and Norman Carreck for an international look at beekeeping. They discuss Britain’s native Apis mellifera mellifera, locally adapted honey bees, the UK beekeeping education system, and the magazine’s global approach to beekeeping science and culture. The conversation also examines the spread of Tropilaelaps mites and the yellow-legged hornet and what North American beekeepers can learn from Europe’s experience.

Jeff Ott visits Premier Bee Products in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for a firsthand look at how foundation, frames, and hive bodies are manufactured. Premier founder Jeff Johnson discusses the company’s approach to product development, the Propolis Hive, dovetail woodenware, and how ideas from researchers, other industries, and beekeepers make their way into the bee yard.

Stephanie Slater explores how to prepare pollen for honey show competition. Learn what judges look for, how to collect, dry, clean, store, and present pollen, why color diversity matters, and how to achieve the proper fill level. Stephanie also shares lessons from her own competition experience and spotlights several upcoming fall honey shows.

Beekeeping Today Podcast celebrates its 400th episode! Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Dr. Jim Tew, Dr. Dewey Caron, and Stephanie Slater for a wide-ranging conversation about the podcast’s beginnings, lessons learned from beekeeping, and the value of continuing education and community. The group also answers a Hive IQ question about how quickly a successful new beekeeper should expand, discusses nectar flows, honey production and marketing, and reflects on what keeps beekeeping interesting season after season.

Recorded live in Fargo, Randy Oliver, Dr. Izzy Hill, and Dr. Brandon Hopkins join Jeff and Becky to discuss the future of beekeeping. The panel explores honey prices, pollination economics, regenerative agriculture, declining forage, honey authenticity, new honey bee health products, government policy, research, and what it will take to attract another generation of beekeepers. The conversation ultimately asks a bigger question: How do we protect not only honey bee colonies, but the people and agricultural systems that make beekeeping possible?

Adam Hickman of Foxhound Bee Company joins Jeff and Becky for a behind-the-scenes look at The Rivals of Amziah King, starring Matthew McConaughey. Adam served as a bee wrangler and beekeeping consultant on the film, helping create authentic scenes using live honey bees. He shares how his team staged a cutout, prepared colonies with young nurse bees for the actors, created McConaughey’s memorable bee-covered-arm scene, and helped filmmakers get the details of beekeeping right.

What can we learn simply by listening to a honey bee colony? Dr. Dewey Caron explores the science of sound in the hive, including how bees produce and detect vibrations, the distinctive sound of queenless colonies, vibroacoustic communication during the waggle dance, predator-warning signals, and what young bees learn by following experienced dancers. Dewey also traces acoustic hive monitoring from Eddie Woods’ early Apidictor to today’s sophisticated digital and machine-learning systems. This is Part One of a two-part exploration of honey bee sounds.

Award-winning student researcher Aakash Manaswi joins Jeff and Becky to discuss his multi-year investigation into using carbon dioxide as a potential Varroa mite treatment. Aakash explains his hive-top CO₂ delivery system, laboratory and field research, treatment strategy, limitations, and plans for future testing. The conversation also covers his AI-powered Varroa sticky-board counter and his award-winning experience at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Plus, Jeff and Becky discuss the opportunities—and limitations—of using AI as a beekeeping resource.

Recorded live at the Tri-States Beekeeping Conference in Fargo, North Dakota, this special panel discussion brings together four respected voices in beekeeping: Randy Oliver, Jackie Park-Burris, Dr. Katie Lee, and Dr. Rogan Tokash. Moderated by Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman, the panel examines the current state of honey bee health, including Varroa mite management, resistance to amitraz, advances in breeding mite-resistant bees, honey bee nutrition, forage availability, pesticides, and the economics affecting both commercial and hobbyist beekeepers. The discussion also addresses the future of almond pollination, the importance of applied research, and how collaboration between scientists and beekeepers continues to drive practical solutions for healthier colonies.

Preparing extracted honey for competition may seem intimidating, but according to Stephanie Slater, success comes down to patience, attention to detail, and understanding what judges are really looking for. In this episode of Winning at Honey, Stephanie shares practical advice for preparing award-winning extracted honey—from bottling weeks in advance to achieving the proper fill level, eliminating bubbles, selecting matching jars, and avoiding common defects that cost exhibitors valuable points. She also explains how judges evaluate entries, what can disqualify an otherwise beautiful jar of honey, and why proper handling begins long before the honey reaches the extraction room. Stephanie is also joined by Brutz English, President of the American Honey Judges Association, who discusses the organization’s remarkable growth, upcoming governance changes, and his vision for expanding honey judging education throughout North America.

Michael Mahar of 21st Bee joins Jeff and Becky for a wide-ranging conversation about designing durable plastic bee frames, communication passages in comb, small-cell bees, drone brood, genetics, and his unconventional treatment-free approach to Varroa management. Then Michael explains his elaborate process for creating bourbon-infused honey using bourbon-soaked oak, different toast and char levels, temperature cycling, and months of careful tasting and adjustment.

Amy Vu, Extension Coordinator with the University of Florida Honey Bee Lab and co-host of Two Bees in a Podcast, joins Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman to discuss how Extension education is shaping the future of beekeeping. Amy shares her journey from agronomy and soils science to becoming one of the country’s leading honey bee educators. The conversation explores the University of Florida’s internationally recognized Master Beekeeper Program, innovative online education efforts, Bee College, and the research and Extension programs continuing under Dr. Cameron Jack following Jamie Ellis’ transition. The discussion also travels to Thailand, where Amy leads educational expeditions introducing beekeepers to native honey bee species, Tropilaelaps mites, and practical biosecurity measures designed to reduce the risk of introducing invasive pests into North America. Finally, Amy explains Florida’s successful “Leveling Up” program, which helps hobbyist beekeepers develop business plans, …

Award-winning filmmaker Ariel Gilman captured something far deeper than beekeeping in The Boys and the Bees. In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Georgia beekeeper Nehemiah Ray, whose family’s story became the subject of the Sundance Award-winning short documentary. Nehemiah shares how an unexpected encounter with honey bees while working in pest control led him into beekeeping, live honey bee removals, and raising his sons alongside the bees. The conversation explores fatherhood, family, resilience, honey bee removals, learning from bees, and the remarkable

Dr. Dewey Caron explains the remarkable dance language of honey bees, exploring how scout bees communicate food location, distance, direction, and resource quality through the round dance, sickle dance, and waggle dance. Along the way, he highlights the pioneering work of Karl von Frisch and the continuing discoveries that deepen our understanding of honey bee communication.

Dr. Robert Owen joins Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman to discuss his new book Beekeeping Success, honey bee genetics, queen breeding, Varroa management, Tropilaelaps, Australian beekeeping, and lessons learned while working with beekeepers around the world.

Dr. Vincent Ricigliano joins Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman to discuss the future of honey bee nutrition and biotechnology. The conversation explores algae-based supplemental diets, functional feeds, RNAi technologies, viral management, and emerging tools aimed at helping beekeepers better manage Varroa, disease pressures, and colony health challenges.

Stephanie Slater returns with a busy summer update, sharing highlights from the Heartland Apicultural Society conference, a youth beekeeping camp, and preparations for upcoming honey judging events. This month’s featured topic explores how to create award-winning beeswax exhibits, including proper wax handling, candle preparation, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips that judges look for in competition entries. Stephanie also spotlights upcoming honey shows in Colorado and South Carolina and offers encouragement for first-time exhibitors.

In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Jack Rath, former owner of Betterbee, veterinarian, beekeeper, and queen breeder, for a detailed conversation about instrumental insemination of honey bee queens. Jack explains how the process is used in selective breeding programs, why instrumentally inseminated queens are typically breeder queens, and how queen producers use them to develop traits such as Varroa resistance, gentleness, overwintering ability, and honey production. The discussion covers queen and drone timing, semen collection, equipment, aftercare, queen acceptance, and the complexity of maintaining multiple breeding lines. Jack also shares how his background in veterinary reproductive work helped prepare him for this highly technical aspect

The Honey Bee Health Coalition just released the 9th edition of the Varroa Management Guide. For many beekeepers, this guide has become the go-to reference for cutting through misinformation and focusing on proven, research-backed practices. With this latest edition, the Coalition has made meaningful updates that reflect the increasing difficulty of controlling Varroa, even when best practices are followed.