Shows / Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
The weekly podcast exploring the joys, challenges, and curiosities of keeping honey bees. Hosted by Dr. Jim Tew and produced by Jeff Ott, Honey Bee Obscura delivers short, focused conversations that dive into the details of beekeeping—from practical how-tos to quirky observations. Perfect for learning something new on the way to the apiary, at home, or wherever your bees take you.
Episodes
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Bare Bones Beekeeping (247)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Jeff Ott (from Beekeeping Today Podcast) wrestle with the idea of bare bones beekeeping. After a few…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Mystery Swarm (246)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew recounts an unexpected August swarm that turned a normal day into a beekeeping puzzle. What began as a routine…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastAugust Winter Prep with Anne Frey (245)
As summer winds down, Jim Tew sits down with fellow beekeeper Anne Frey to talk through what August reveals about colonies heading into winter. Their…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastLate Season Swarms with Anne Frey (244)
Late season swarms can puzzle even experienced beekeepers. In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey of Betterbee to explore why colonies sometimes issue…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastArchive Replay - Removing Honey with Kim Flottum (243)
When it comes time to remove honey from your colonies, the job can feel like one of the most physically demanding tasks of the beekeeping season. In this Honey…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Bee Keeping vs Bee Tweaking (242)
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew explores what it really means to call ourselves "beekeepers." After more than fifty years with bees…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: About Honey Bee Feeders (241)
In this week's episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes a thoughtful walk through history, sparked by a humble but enduring piece of equipment found in…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Hidden Hives (240)
In this reflective and personal episode, Jim Tew explores a question many beekeepers may not think much about—why are so many bee yards hidden from view? Fresh…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastReflecting on Spring Losses with Anne Frey (239)
In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes back Anne Frey of Betterbee to unpack the troubling die-offs many beekeepers experienced this past winter and spring. From…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: About Drone Layers (238)
In this episode, Jim Tew shares a messy and mysterious beekeeping challenge that begins with two unrelated problems—a failing observation hive and a suspected…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastLocust Tree Nectar Flows with Anne Frey (237)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to talk locust flows—and the puzzling question of why these spectacular…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Queen and Drone Traps (236)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew recounts an unexpected turn during what was supposed to be a simple walk through his bee yard. When a hive erupts…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastExploring Mysteries of the Bee Yard (235)
On this rainy and unseasonably chilly spring day, Jim Tew heads out to his bee yard with longtime friend and former lab assistant Jason Ferrell. While the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: The Lost Swarm (234)
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares the frustration and lessons learned from losing a swarm — a reminder that even seasoned…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastBee Talk with Eugene & Diane Makovec (233)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes Eugene and Diane Makovec to his sunny Ohio bee yard for a rare in-person conversation. Eugene, editor of…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Predicting Swarms (232)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim is back in the bee yard with a keen eye on an abandoned hive setup—watching and wondering if it might be chosen by a…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Releasing Tew Queens (231)
In this hands-on episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim is back in the bee yard and walks listeners through a personal and sometimes risky process: directly…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Installing Tew Packages (230)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes listeners into the bee yard to share his experience installing two packages of bees. He discusses the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastRosario Candelero: Student Bee Vet (229)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes special guests Rosario Candelero, a veterinary student at the National Autonomous University of Mexico…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: To Wire Frames or Not (228)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew revisits a seemingly simple question that sparked a surprisingly passionate response from readers and listeners…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: The Evolution of Beekeeping (227)
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, host Dr. Jim Tew takes listeners on a reflective and thought-provoking journey through the changing landscape of…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Thoughts on Queen Bees (226)
In this reflective episode, Jim Tew shares an honest and personal conversation about queens—both the winged kind in the hive and the ones we buy in cages…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Exploring Bee Rooms (225)
Have you ever heard of a bee room? In this episode, Jim Tew revisits a nearly forgotten practice of intentionally housing honey bee colonies inside…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: A Bee Yard Stroll (224)
Spring has finally arrived, and that means it's time for a long-awaited bee yard visit! In this episode, Jim Tew heads out to check on his colonies after a…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Tew Bee Tales (223)
Beekeeping is full of unexpected moments—some hilarious, some humbling, and some downright painful. In this episode, Jim Tew takes a break from his usual…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Mentoring Challenges (222)
Every beekeeper starts somewhere, but how much guidance should an experienced beekeeper offer to a beginner? In this episode, host Jim Tew reflects on the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastArchive Special: Hive Finishes with Kim (221)
In this special archive episode, Honey Bee Obscura revisits a classic conversation with the late Kim Flottum and host Jim Tew, as they explore the best ways to…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Dead and Dying Bees (220)
What happens when a honey bee nears the end of its life? In this episode, Jim Tew explores the little-discussed yet fascinating behavior of dying bees. Why do…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastBattling Mites with Anne (219)
Varroa mites remain a persistent challenge for beekeepers, and effective management is key to colony survival. In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey from…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastDiscussing Big Colonies with Anne (218)
Managing large honey bee colonies comes with its own set of challenges and rewards, but are bigger colonies always better? In this episode, Jim Tew is joined…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Big Hives - Blessing or Curse? (217)
In this episode, Jim Tew takes a deep dive into the world of big colonies, posing the question: Are larger hives always better? With his signature blend of…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Plastic in Beekeeping (216)
This week, Jim Tew takes a nostalgic yet practical dive into the evolution of plastic in the world of beekeeping. From his early days in the 1970s, when…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Stressing Winter Bees (215)
In this week's episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew delves into the challenges and dilemmas beekeepers face when managing small, struggling colonies in the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastArchive Special: Packages and Nucs with Kim Flottum (214)
In this special archive episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew and the late Kim Flottum dive into the age-old debate between starting with packages or nucleus…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastArchive Special: Bee Yard Smells with Kim Flottum (213)
In this archive special from November 2021, Jim Tew and Kim Flottum explore the fascinating—and sometimes unpleasant—world of bee yard smells. Odors are an…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastArchive Special: Abnormal Queens (212)
In this archive special episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey from Betterbee to discuss the unpredictable and sometimes puzzling world…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Building Your Own Bee Boxes (211)
In this episode, Jim delves into the art and practicality of building your own bee boxes. He reflects on his journey with woodworking, from crafting frames and…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Mentoring New Beekeepers (210)
Mentoring new beekeepers is a vital part of sustaining the beekeeping community, but are traditional methods enough? In this episode, Jim explores the evolving…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Considering Spring Packages (209)
As winter sets in, Jim reflects on the annual ritual of ordering spring packages. From deciding how many packages to order to navigating delivery methods and…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Things Not Seen (208)
In this reflective episode, Jim delves into the fascinating realm of beekeeping mysteries and experiences he's never witnessed firsthand despite decades in the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastArchive Special: Browsing Bee Books (207)
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Jim revisits a cherished conversation with the late Kim Flottum, reflecting on their shared passion for beekeeping books…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPrepping for Winter with Will (206)
In this episode, Jim is joined by his grandson, Will, to discuss preparing hives for winter, especially for smaller or struggling colonies. Jim explains the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Fanning Bees (205)
In this episode, Jim explores the intriguing behavior of honey bees fanning at the hive entrance. What might seem like simple wing-flapping turns out to be a…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Thieving Beekeepers (204)
In this candid episode, Jim shares a side of beekeeping rarely discussed: the loss of books, equipment, and even entire hives borrowed and never returned. As…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPacking Hives with Anne Frey (203)
As the temperature drops, Jim and Anne Frey discuss the age-old question: Should you insulate your hives for winter? They explore the history of hive…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Long Forgotten Equipment (202)
In this episode, Jim takes a deep dive into the beekeeping catalogs of the past, reminiscing about tools and equipment that have disappeared from today's…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastBee Suit Design with Anne Frey (201)
In this episode, Jim is joined by Anne Frey returning from Betterbee to explore the history and evolution of bee suits. The discussion delves into how bee…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Looking Back 200th Episodes (200)
In this special episode, Jim reflects on reaching the 200th episode milestone. He shares insights from the podcast's journey, from its humble beginnings with…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Learning Points (199)
In this episode, Jim reflects on some key learning points from his years of beekeeping—particularly the lessons learned the hard way. He shares a story of…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: The Psychology of Beekeepers (198)
In this episode, Jim takes a reflective look at the psychology behind beekeeping and explores why people are drawn to it, and what keeps them going over the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastObserving Small Details with Anne Frey (197)
In this episode, Anne Frey from Betterbee takes over hosting duties while Jim recovers from illness. Anne shares her unique observations and insights into the…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Early Fall Management (196)
In this episode, Jim reflects on the transition into early fall and the tasks that beekeepers need to address before winter arrives. From managing late-season…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Honey Bees and Lawn Mowers (195)
In this episode, Jim delves into the curious and often frustrating relationship between honey bees and lawn mowers. Exploring why bees sometimes aggressively…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastAn Update With Will (194)
In this episode, Jim is joined by his grandson, Will, to provide an update on Will's first season as a beekeeper. They revisit the progress of the two colonies…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Wax Moths and Honey Bees (193)
In this episode, Jim delves into the complex and ancient relationship between honey bees and wax moths. Moving beyond the typical beekeeper concerns, Jim…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Changes in Beekeeping (192)
In this episode, Jim reflects on the many changes and evolutions in beekeeping over the years. From the tools we use, like hive tools and slatted racks, to…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastDissuading Beekeepers with Anne Frey (191)
In this episode, Jim and Anne Frey from Betterbee discuss the crucial topic of setting realistic expectations for potential new beekeepers. They share their…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastSmall Swarm, Revisited (190)
In this episode, Jim revisits a small swarm he first discussed in June. As he inspects the colony, Jim shares his observations and strategies for nurturing…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastVarroa and Marked Queens with Anne Frey (189)
In this engaging episode, Jim welcomes Anne Frey from Betterbee to discuss a variety of timely beekeeping topics. They delve into the challenges of early mite…
Honey Bee Obscura PodcastPlain Talk: Washboarding Bees (188)
In this episode, Jim delves into the curious behavior known as washboarding. As he observes his bees engaging in this rhythmic activity, Jim explores various…