Beekeeping Buddies
Around the Yard: Dry Midwest Fall: Fall is mostly here, but is sure is dry. Details on Another Cutout: Luke and Steve have another fall cutout. Luke Returns From Spain: Luke goes to Spain... and finds few pollinators? Steve and Luke Review Spainish Honey: We review some honey from Spain I brought back. In the News Varroa Mites make it to S. Australia: Varroa mites are now spreading to S. Australia. HMF Correction: Luke has a short correction to HMF. Honeybee Hotline: Bee Identification: Variation inside a honeybee hive. Comb Color: Why is there different comb colors? What to do with a...
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Around the Yard: Cooler Weather: Fall has started peeking around the corner. What do we do? Honey Harvest for Summer: Luke and Steve take the last of our summer honey. Open Feeding: Is it the time for open feeding yet? Illinois USDA: Luke and Steve are working with the USDA... providing small hive beetles. In the News Newly Engineered Yeast Makes Better Pollen: Honeybee Disease Impacts Flight: It appers that different diseases impact how far our honeybees will fly. Honeybee Hotline: Can You Feed Maple Syrup: We talk about if this is a problem! Taking Honey Leaving Deep and...
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Around the Yard: Pulling Honey: Luke and Steve talk about the struggles of staying cool in the bee yard. Fall Prep: Is it already time to feed our bees for winter? What treatments do we use? In the News Big News From Luke Honeybee Hotline: How Long Does a Field Bee Spend Away: We talk mabout when to treat, what we are treating with, and how useful are the new OA boards? Queen Introduction Problem: Our tips and tricks on introducing a new queen. Laying Worker vs New Queen: How do you tell the difference between a laying worker and a newly mated queen? Doomed to Always...
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Around the Yard: Staying Cool: Luke and Steve talk about the struggles of staying cool in the bee yard. Time to Feed?: Is it already time to feed our bees for winter? Honeybee Hotline: Hive Treatments: We talk mabout when to treat, what we are treating with, and how useful are the new OA boards? Queen Introduction: Our tips and tricks on introducing a new queen. Droning On: Extracting Honey: Luke and Steve are busy getting ready to extract honey. Problems Running a Beekeeping Business: Luke shares some of his struggles running a beekeeping business. Tune in to Episode 32 for...
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Around the Yard: Virgin Queen Raising: Luke and Steve talk about raising some virgin VSH Queens. Purdue Queen Rearing: Luke takes the Purdue queen rearing course. Going Through Hives: Luke and Steve talk about how we go through hives. In the News: Hive Cutout: Luke and Steve talk about their first cutout 11 years ago! Droning On: Extracting Honey: Luke and Steve are busy getting ready to extract honey. Master Beekeeper Course: Luke talks more about the master beekeeper course. Flow Hives: Luke and Steve talk about our flow hives. Tune in to Episode 31 for all this and more...
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Around the Yard: Harvesting Honey:Luke and Steve have harvested honey. Grafting: Luke continues to graft! Queens Obtained: Queens purchased from Kobe Apiary for the Dalan Animal Vaccine Adding Supers: Continues to add supers to hives. Inspector Visits: Our local inspector came to visit Luke! In the News: Field Day: What is a club field day and should your local club have one? Droning On: Purdue Queen Grafting: Luke is headed to Purdue to check out some queen grafting. Hive Cutouts: Luke and Steve have some more cutouts coming up. Beekeeping Insurance: Luke is finally...
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Around the Yard: Expanding Products: Riverview Road Apiary adds some employees and new products! Pollen Tasting: Luke and Steve try some locally collected pollen and let you know how it is. How to Harvest and Prepare Pollen: Luke and Steve talk about pollen collection and preparation. Nectar Flow: Nectar is coming in so fast it's difficult to keep up. Swarm Captures: Ideas for catching swarms and how we go about it this busy season. In the News: USDA Concludes Cause of Dieoffs in 2024/2025: Luke and Steve review study on what happened to the US bees this last...
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Welcome to Episode 28 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Purchasing Hives: Steve buys some hives from a local beekeeper who is chasing her dreams! Queen Hatching Experience: Steve finds a unique experience working the club beehives, and some lessons learned. Oops: Luke makes a mistake with one of his hives! Nectar Flow: Nectar is coming in so fast it's difficult to keep up. Swarm Captures: Ideas for catching swarms and how we go about it this busy season. In the News: Bumblebees Have a...
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Welcome to Episode 27 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Swarms: Luke and Steve continue to pick up swarms! Splits: It's that time of year to make your splits. Luke and Steve discuss how we do that. Moving Bees to Clover Farm: Luke and Steve discuss moving some bees. Steve's Purchasing Adventures: What is involved when buying someone's hives? In the News: Honeybee Losses: Will beekeeping have to change with the times? Droning On: Hive Checks: What we are seeing in our hives. Queen...
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Welcome to Episode 26 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Nuc Pickup and Dispersion Adventure: Luke and Steve pick up some nucs! House Cutout: What happens to bees where they are not supposed to be? In the News: Honeybee Losses: Honeybee losses hit the mainstream! Droning On: Hive Checks: What we are seeing in our hives. Queen Grafting: Queen grafting classes. Tune in to Episode 26 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 20 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. This Episode we are going to talk to our shopping special and ideas we have for beekeepers this holiday season! Please note there are Amazon Affiliate Links here that give us 3% of the overall purchase price if you do click on any of these links.
9 Frame Spacers
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m00874-9-frame-spacers-each
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3ZKrg9F
- Amazon Spacer Tool (not recommended) - https://amzn.to/4gKH1EA
Refractometer
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/49MiInb
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m005961-refractometer-standard
Ez Mite Check
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/404LPPi
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/varroa-easy-check-m014908
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/varroa-easycheck/
Mouse Guard/Entrance Reducer
- Luke's Choice Amazon - https://amzn.to/4fvn5US
- Steve's Choice Amazon - https://amzn.to/41Km7RB
Bee Veil
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/49JkJRb
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/v01108-hat-veil-pullover-combo
Hive Tool
- Luke's Choice Amazon - https://amzn.to/4iDtiRw
- Luke's Choice Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/deluxe-hive-tool?_pos=4&_sid=9973edb39&_ss=r
- Luke's Choice Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hive-tools/multifunctional-hive-tool/
- Steve's Choice Amazon - https://amzn.to/4goPIof
- Steve's Choice Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/j-hook-hive-tool?_pos=1&_sid=9973edb39&_ss=r
- Steve's Choice Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m00856-j-hook-hive-tool
- Steve's Choice Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-tools-more/hive-tools/10-1-2-frame-lifter-and-scraper-hive-tool/
Queen Rearing Kit
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/queen-rearing/complete-queen-rearing-kit/?srsltid=AfmBOoomfcINdTDn3cWnU_BC596ITxtNr9-dChLdGbJrihOxZ0w-I5Bq
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3DtwXS4
- Hillco -
- Dadant -
Grafting Tool
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- Master Grafting Tool (US version)
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m00654-master-grafting-tool
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/queen-rearing/master-queen-grafting-tool/
- Simple Grafting Tool
- Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/simple-grafting-tool?_pos=1&_sid=47f71bcda&_ss=r
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m01941-plastic-grafting-tool
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/queen-rearing/chinese-grafting-tool/
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/4fudBcw
- German Grafting Tool
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3P4s6sU
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m01942-stainless-grafting-tool-each
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-bees/queen-rearing/metal-german-grafting-tool/
JZ BZ Kit
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3VKonEH
Candle Mold
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/search-results/?search_query=candle%20mold
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3BzDCcJ
Lip Balm Kits
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3ZP2HIy
- Luke's 50 Kit Amazon - https://amzn.to/3ZIY0A1
- Pyrex Measuring Cup - https://amzn.to/3VNYfJ6
- Double Boiler - https://amzn.to/4frHWbF
Bee Suit
- Hillco Vented Suit (need baseball hat) - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/featherlite-ventilated-beekeeper-jacket?_pos=1&_sid=4707b1863&_ss=r
- Hillco Vented Suit (round veil) - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/featherlite-ventilated-beekeeper-jacket-round-veil?_pos=2&_sid=4707b1863&_ss=r
- Dadant Vented Suit - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/economy-vent-jacket
- Amazon Mann Lake - https://amzn.to/3P4ypwv
Car Year End Detail
- Favorite Local Detailer - https://pioneerautocenteranddetailing.com/
Smoker Fuel
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m00808-40-lb-wood-pellet-smoker-fuel
- Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/burlap-smoker-fuel-12-pack?_pos=1&_sid=d09a6b2ab&_ss=r
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/4foetPT
Smoker Fuel Bucket Screw On Lid
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- Smoker Fuel
- Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/burlap-smoker-fuel-12-pack?_pos=1&_sid=f1bf81259&_ss=r
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m00808-40-lb-wood-pellet-smoker-fuel
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-tools-more/1/2-lb-smoker-fuel/
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/41HCePO
- Screw On Bucket Lids - https://amzn.to/4gJKdjB
Propant Torch Kit
- Menards - https://www.menards.com/main/tools/torches-soldering-tools/mag-torch-reg-self-light-propane-torch-kit/mt525/p-1571380065594-c-8533.htm?exp=false
- Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-Utility-Torch-Kit-with-14-1-oz-Propane-Gas-Cylinder-and-Adjustable-Flame-WK2301/202539561
Bee Cozy - Help keep your hive warm this winter season. Helps keep the hive temperature consistent.
- Amazon Link -= https://amzn.to/41Jq0WR
Heated Honey Uncapping Knife
- Amazon - https://amzn.to/3ZOyk52
- Dadant - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/m003391-speed-king-knife-220-volt
- Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/heated-uncapping-knife?_pos=1&_sid=35a5e8172&_ss=r
- Mann Lake - https://www.mannlakeltd.com/honey-uncapping-tanks-tools/uncapping-knife-north-american-model/
Beekeeping Journal
- American Bee Journal - https://americanbeejournal.com/
- Bee Culture - https://www.beeculture.com/
Bee Book Ideas
- Honeybee Democracy - https://amzn.to/4gjgHkW
- Piping Hot Bees and Boisterous Buzz-Runners - https://amzn.to/4gmJQM1
- Following the Bees - https://amzn.to/4gESF3u
- Beekeeper Bible - https://amzn.to/4iKVVfG
- Langstroth's Hive and the Honeybee - https://amzn.to/49LgRiq
Paul Kelly's Bee Belt
- https://www.dancingbeeequipmentusa.com/products/bee-belt?srsltid=AfmBOop_1eKlY4dnVjrX34TqaCS8zrWn0mzpyRM49WCvwNNDx76ryX1X
- https://hiddenhollowhoney.com/products/bee-belt?srsltid=AfmBOoqqMj5ckSinlPiapyNroYr8N0Rjpp1IoF3bPveBp3CeI0L_WbBj
- Leather Softener - https://amzn.to/4fx5xI2
Flir Camera
- We suggest the Flir One Edge Bluetooth - https://amzn.to/3ZKuTMP
Nuc
- Riverview Road Apiary - https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc
- Pro Nuc - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/pro-nuc-box-m01515
Swarm Trap
- Hillco - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/swarm-trap?_pos=1&_psq=swarm&_ss=e&_v=1.0
- Hillco Swarm Commander - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/swarm-commander-1oz-gel?_pos=3&_psq=swarm&_ss=e&_v=1.0
- Amazon Swarm Commander - https://amzn.to/400QYrU
Honey Harvest Consumables
- Bee Quick Amazon - https://amzn.to/3BA8Wbl
- Honey Robber (foul smelling but effective) - https://www.brawes-bee-farm.com/products/honey-robber
- Hillco Escape Board - https://www.hillco.buzz/products/triangle-bee-escape-board-10-frame?_pos=1&_psq=escape+boa&_ss=e&_v=1.0
- Amazon Escape Board - https://amzn.to/4gJ4tlA
Beekeeping Classes
- HOIBA Class ($65) - https://hoibees.org/membership/
- CIBA Class - https://drive.google.com/file/d/10RG_WuQcO2cCR743TB5oNPYDKpVjF4qo/view
- Riverview Road Apiary - https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/fall-2022-apprenticeship
Managed Hive Program
- Riverview Road Apiary Beefriend - https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/honey-bee-stewardship
Beekeeping Vacation Package
- Cuba Bee Tours - http://www.cubabeetours.com/
Beekeeping Buddies Email - [email protected]