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Dr. Lewis Bartlett - The Evolving Challenges Beekeepers Face (347)

Release Date: 08/18/2025

Shaping the Future of Beekeeping with Kamon Reynolds (351)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Kamon Reynolds, Tennessee beekeeper and founder of the North American Honeybee Expo (NAHBE). Kamon shares how he balances managing over 150 colonies with organizing one of the largest beekeeping events in North America. Kamon discusses the logistics of moving bees to Wisconsin for basswood honey flows, keeping mite loads low through early-season oxalic acid slow release treatments, and maintaining young queens to build resilient colonies. He reflects on the challenges of dearth periods in the South, creative solutions like late splits...

[Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron: Fat Bees and Overwintering Success

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this BTP Short, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another of his “audio postcards,” this time exploring the critical role of fat bees—also known as diutinus bees—in helping colonies survive winter. Dewey explains how these long-lived worker bees differ from their summer sisters, with enlarged fat bodies, higher protein reserves, and lower juvenile hormone levels, all tied to the key blood protein vitellogenin. Drawing on published research papers, Dewey highlights how environmental cues such as declining pollen, temperature, and daylight trigger the production of winter bees, and how...

Top-Bar Beekeeping with Vikki Atkinson (350)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this milestone 350th episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Vikki Atkinson of Pennsylvania to share her deep experience managing over 100 Top-Bar hives. Vikki walks listeners through the unique design of Top-Bar hives, from follower boards and shims to the angled sides that encourage natural comb building. She explains how handling bars like a “steering wheel” prevents comb breakage, and why level placement is critical to success. With candor and clarity, she outlines both the advantages—lighter lifts, less colony disturbance, and beautiful natural...

[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatments - ApiLife Var and Apiguard

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined once again by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss two thymol-based mite control options: ApiLife Var and Apiguard . Both products rely on the essential oil thymol, but differ in formulation and delivery. ApiLife Var comes as wafers containing thymol along with eucalyptus oil, menthol, and camphor, while Apiguard is a gel tray or gel-applied product containing thymol alone. While both products are gentle on bees and effective against Varroa mites, they require multiple applications over several weeks and are best suited for broodless...

[Bonus] Short - HiveAlive with Dara Scott: Winter Survival Insights

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this BTP Short, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dara Scott of HiveAlive to share the results of a recent customer survey on overwintering success during the devastating 2024–25 winter. While national losses reported by Project Apis m averaged around 60%, HiveAlive users reported losses less than half that rate—about 23%. Dara explains how HiveAlive’s unique seaweed extract, combined with lemongrass and thymol, helps support colony health, reduce Nosema levels, and improve overwintering outcomes. The conversation also touches on HiveAlive’s origin story, the science behind seaweed...

Bee Great with David Mullins (349)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dave Mullins of Bee Great, based in Churubusco, Indiana. Dave shares how a hobby with his father in 2014 grew into a dynamic beekeeping business now managing 150 hives, a thriving retail store, and a diverse line of honey and bee-inspired products. From flavored honeys and goat milk soaps to international exports, Bee Great has become a model of creativity and adaptability in the beekeeping world . Dave describes his journey from professor to full-time beekeeper and entrepreneur, offering candid insights into product development, branding, and customer...

[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatments - HopGuard 3

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss HopGuard 3, the latest version of this organically derived mite control option. The conversation covers the product’s evolution from earlier formulations, its active ingredient (hops beta acids), and what makes it safe to use even with honey supers in place. The discussion highlights the pros—organic origins, safe with honey, rotation potential—and the cons, including its limited effectiveness during brood periods and relatively high cost. Listeners will also hear practical guidance on...

Dave McComb: From One Hive to a Thriving Beekeeping Business (348)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Indiana beekeeper Dave McComb to share his journey from inheriting one defensive hive in 2018 to managing over 100 colonies, producing honey, nucs, and queens with remarkable success. Dave explains how he quickly immersed himself in beekeeping education, adopted single-deep hive management, and built an operation known for exceptionally low winter losses. Beyond management techniques, Dave opens up about his business growth, from building a website and learning social media outreach to creating innovative honey products—like single-serve honey packets...

Dr. Lewis Bartlett - The Evolving Challenges Beekeepers Face (347)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Dr. Lewis Bartlett returns to Beekeeping Today Podcast to share the latest science on honey bee health, pest management, and the evolving challenges beekeepers face worldwide. In this wide-ranging conversation, Lewis dives into how shifting climates, global trade, and emerging pests are reshaping the landscape for beekeeping. He explores the role of integrated pest management, the importance of genetic diversity in colonies, and why maintaining flexibility is essential for long-term success. A highlight of the discussion focuses on the yellow-legged hornet — a newly arrived invasive predator...

[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatment Options - Formic Acid

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this Varroa Treatments short, Jeff Ott and co-host Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. David Peck from Betterbee to discuss formic acid—a powerful tool in the fight against varroa mites. David explains how Formic Pro, the most common formic acid product now available in the U.S., is formulated to safely release vapors that penetrate capped brood cells, killing mites both on adult bees and developing brood. David and Becky highlight both the strengths and cautions: formic acid’s ability to deliver a fast, thorough mite knockdown, its temperature sensitivity, and its potential to cause...

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A highlight of the discussion focuses on the yellow-legged hornet — a newly arrived invasive predator in the U.S. Lewis explains its biology, how it differs from the Asian giant hornet, and what early detection efforts are underway to prevent it from establishing. He emphasizes the need for beekeeper vigilance and public reporting to help slow its spread before it becomes a permanent threat to honey bees and native pollinators.

Listeners will also gain insights into how research priorities are shifting in response to these challenges, and how beekeepers can take actionable steps today to prepare for tomorrow’s realities.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

University of Georgia Bee Lab: https://bees.caes.uga.edu
Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org
Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
The National Honey Board: https://honey.com

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!

Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected]

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

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