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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.

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All Episodes

20:41

Plain Talk: The Lost Swarm (234)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/06/05

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 beekeepers face humbling moments. Jim recounts how an unusually strong colony, coupled with a busy spring and personal distractions, set the stage for a swarm escape despite his best efforts. From initial excitement at spotting the swarm nestled low on a hibiscus branch to the scramble for equipment and the disappointment as the bees slipped away,

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19:09

Bee Talk with Eugene & Diane Makovec (233)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/05/29

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 American Bee Journal, shares the winding path that led him from journalism school to the printing industry and ultimately to the editor’s chair of one of beekeeping’s oldest and most respected publications. Alongside him, Diane reflects on her own introduction to beekeeping and how their shared passion for bees has grown over time. Together,

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19:18

Plain Talk: Predicting Swarms (232)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/05/22

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 swarm. What starts as a quiet observation of scout bee behavior turns into a real-time case study in swarm prediction. Jim shares how to distinguish scouting from robbing, discusses the importance of scent and hive condition, and reflects on whether to clean out dead bees to make the equipment more attractive. A week later, he’s proven right:

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21:24

Plain Talk: Releasing Tew Queens (231)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/05/15

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 releasing queens into newly installed packages. As he narrates the steps in real-time, he reflects on past successes—and hard-learned lessons—of skipping the traditional candy plug method. Jim explains his reasons for preferring direct release and shares observations about bee behavior, queen acceptance, and the potential dangers involved. He details

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18:20

Plain Talk: Installing Tew Packages (230)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/05/08

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 realities of package season, including unexpected challenges like ants, and reflects on why starting with two colonies is often better than one. Jim compares two common package installation techniques: the fast “shake and dump” method and a slower, less disruptive approach where bees migrate into the hive on their own. He explains why he’s favoring

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20:52

Rosario Candelero: Student Bee Vet (229)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/05/01

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes special guests Rosario Candelero, a veterinary student at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and Jason Ferrell, a beekeeper and IT specialist. Together, they explore how beekeeping in Mexico differs from practices in the United States. Rosario shares insights from her veterinary training, where bee health is treated as part of veterinary medicine, not entomology. She describes common honey bee diseases in Mexico, including Varroa,

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20:40

Plain Talk: To Wire Frames or Not (228)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/04/24

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew revisits a seemingly simple question that sparked a surprisingly passionate response from readers and listeners alike: Do beekeepers still wire and embed their own wax foundation? After a passing remark in a recent article suggesting that the practice might be fading into history, Jim was met with a steady stream of replies from beekeepers who are very much keeping the tradition alive. Jim explores the reasons why many still choose to wire frames,

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21:18

Plain Talk: The Evolution of Beekeeping (227)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/04/17

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 beekeeping practices over the decades. From his early experiences wiring frames and embedding wax foundation, to the rise of plastic components and convenience-driven innovations, Jim contrasts the hands-on craftsmanship of “traditional beekeeping” with the realities of modern hive management. Listeners will enjoy Jim’s personal anecdotes and insights

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21:38

Plain Talk: Thoughts on Queen Bees (226)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/04/10

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. Sitting among his thriving colonies, Jim weighs the pros and cons of letting bees raise their own queens versus introducing commercially produced ones. He explores the timing, risks, and costs of each approach and how personal priorities—like honey production, genetics, and even beekeeping stamina—factor into the decision. As spring builds, Jim

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19:42

Plain Talk: Exploring Bee Rooms (225)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/04/03

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 homes—typically in attics or wall cabinets—during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Far from today’s observation hives or honey extraction rooms, these “bee rooms” featured free-hanging feral colonies living just above or beside the families who kept them. Jim shares vivid stories from his own experiences visiting these historical remnants with a former

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19:25

Plain Talk: A Bee Yard Stroll (224)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/03/27

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 tough winter. With a 30% winter loss, Jim reflects on the challenges of neglecting his hives for a couple of seasons and the surprising resilience of some colonies. From thriving survivor hives to weaker colonies barely hanging on, Jim evaluates their condition, anticipates potential swarms, and shares his thoughts on requeening, mite treatments,

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23:19

Plain Talk: Tew Bee Tales (223)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/03/20

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 beekeeping insights to share some of his most memorable stories from decades in the bee yard. These aren’t just stories; they’re lessons wrapped in humor and hindsight. From an ill-fated winter bee transport gone wrong to a bee finding its way up Jim’s nose (with disastrous results), these are the kinds of experiences that stick with a beekeeper

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22:09

Plain Talk: Mentoring Challenges (222)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/03/13

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 challenges of mentoring new beekeepers and the lessons learned over decades of beekeeping. Jim shares a personal story about a new beekeeper looking to start hives alongside chickens and goats on his seven-acre property. He explores the delicate balance between providing essential advice and allowing new beekeepers to learn through

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14:38

Archive Special: Hive Finishes with Kim (221)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/03/06

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 protect and extend the life of hive equipment. Whether you’re unpacking new woodenware or maintaining older boxes, the choices you make in finishing your equipment can have a lasting impact on your beekeeping operation. Kim and Jim discuss everything from traditional white latex paint to natural wood finishes, wax dipping, and even the

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21:42

Plain Talk: Dead and Dying Bees (220)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/02/27

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 some bees fly away to die while others fall just outside the hive entrance? What instinct drives them to make one last effort to protect the colony? Jim reflects on the science and mystery behind bee mortality, sharing observations from his own backyard and apiary. From the self-isolation of sick bees to the relentless work of undertaker bees

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20:07

Battling Mites with Anne (219)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/02/20

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 Betterbee to discuss practical approaches to monitoring and controlling mites. Anne explains why beekeepers must check for mites every two to four weeks, even when early-season counts appear low. She and Jim explore detection methods, from sticky boards for beginners to more advanced sampling techniques, and emphasize how quickly mite

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21:24

Discussing Big Colonies with Anne (218)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/02/13

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 by Anne Frey of Betterbee to explore the benefits and potential downsides of managing large hives. Picking up from last week’s discussion, they dive into the complexities of oversized colonies, swarming tendencies, and strategies for keeping bees at a manageable size. Jim shares his experience as a beekeeper who once sought out massive colonies

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20:18

Plain Talk: Big Hives - Blessing or Curse? (217)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/02/06

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 humor and beekeeping wisdom, Jim unpacks the complexities of managing booming colonies, reflecting on the pros, cons, and unintended consequences of letting colonies grow to massive sizes. Jim discusses the labor-intensive demands of large hives, from the physical strain of handling heavy boxes to the increased challenges with swarm management,

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20:13

Plain Talk: Plastic in Beekeeping (216)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/01/30

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 plastic was virtually non-existent in beekeeping equipment, to its widespread adoption in everything from frames to veils, Jim reflects on how this material has shaped the industry. Jim shares anecdotes about the challenges of using glass honey jars, metal extractors, and wooden cages in the past—and how plastic innovations, such as plastic

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21:03

Plain Talk: Stressing Winter Bees (215)

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast ·

2025/01/23

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 heart of winter. With his signature mix of candor and experience, Jim explores the emotional and practical aspects of trying to save weak hives during the harshest months. Jim shares personal anecdotes about a small swarm that settled in one of his hives, only to struggle against the odds. From emergency feeding with honey and fondant to the

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