Latest Flottum Podcast Episodes
Plain Talk: The Fallen Hive (186)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - July 04, 2024 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim takes listeners on an adventurous journey to inspect a fallen hive. Accompanied by his friend Bob Romick, Jim travels through rural Ohio to assess the damage and potential causes of the hive's collapse. He shares the challenges of working with a toppled hive, including the u...
Plain Talk: How Not To Remove Bees (185)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - June 27, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim Tew shares valuable lessons learned from his early days in beekeeping, focusing on the challenges of removing bees from old structures. Reflecting on his 50 years of beekeeping experience, Jim recounts humorous and insightful stories of his first attempts at bee removals. Li...
Plain Talk: A Small June Swarm
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - June 20, 2024 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim Tew delves into the fascinating world of swarming behavior. Jim shares his experiences with swarms moving into winter-killed colonies, highlighting how these free bees can effectively clean up and rejuvenate old equipment. He discusses his observations on swarm preferences, ...
Plain Talk: The Survivor Hive
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - June 13, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsJoin Jim Tew as he recounts the captivating story of the “Survivor Hive” — an incredible beehive that endured decades without human intervention. In this episode, Jim shares a remarkable story from his early beekeeping days, illustrating the resilient and adaptive nature of honeybees. Learn how ...
Plain Talk: Not My Bees (182)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - June 06, 2024 10:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim Tew dives into the humorous and often frustrating situations beekeepers face when neighbors expect them to handle all sorts of "bee" problems. Jim shares personal stories of dealing with carpenter bees, yellowjackets, and hornets—none of which are honey bees. He explains the...
Plain Talk: Smoke and Smokers (181)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - May 30, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim Tew shares his tried-and-true methods for lighting and using a smoker, essential tools for any beekeeper. He delves into the evolution of his technique; from the fuel he prefers to the simple but effective system he's developed over the years. Jim discusses the convenience...
Plain Talk: Irate Bees! (180)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - May 23, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this stinging episode, Jim recounts an unexpected encounter with unusually aggressive bees in his apiary. While mowing near his hives, Jim experienced an unprovoked attack from bees that had previously shown no signs of hostility. He delves into potential reasons for this sudden change, explo...
Plain Talk: It's Not Just Keeping Bees (179)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - May 16, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this thoughtful episode, Jim dives into the often-overlooked aspects of beekeeping that extend beyond the bees themselves. He reflects on the countless hours spent on tasks that, while essential, don't directly involve handling bees—like managing equipment, mowing grass, and maintaining bee y...
Starting Nucs with Will (178)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - May 09, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim introduces listeners to the world of beekeeping through the experiences of a new beekeeper, his grandson Will. As a high school junior with a budding interest in bees, Will's initial steps into beekeeping offer a fresh perspective and relatable insights for anyone curious ab...
Plain Talk: A Spring Walk in the Bee Yard (177)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - May 02, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim takes listeners on an auditory stroll through his bee yard during a recent vibrant spring day. As the bees buzz energetically around him, Jim shares his personal reflections and insights on the bustling life of the hive. With the backdrop of blooming fruit trees and a flurry...
Plain Talk: Box Hives (176)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - April 25, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this enlightening episode, Jim takes listeners on a historical journey through the evolution of beekeeping hives. Delving into the storied past of traditional box hives, Jim reflects on a unique box hive he acquired, which was originally built in 1853—the same year L.L. Langstroth revolutioni...
Plain Talk: Leftover Honey (175)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - April 18, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim explores the practical aspects of dealing with "less-than-pristine" honey, an inevitable challenge for many beekeepers. Throughout the discussion, Jim shares personal anecdotes and insights from his extensive experience, providing a nuanced look at what beekeepers can do wit...
Lost Queens (174)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - April 11, 2024 10:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, hosts Jim Tew and guest Anne Frey, delve into the intriguing and sometimes baffling phenomenon of beekeepers being unable to locate their hive's queen. Whether you're an experienced beekeeper or just starting, losing sight of your queen can stir a mix of mystery and panic. But a...
Plain Talk: Honey Bee Eggs (173)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - April 04, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim Tew takes listeners on an intricate journey into the life of a honey bee egg, uncovering its quiet but highly active existence. Despite the challenge of discussing such a microcosmic topic, Jim eloquently demystifies the complexities surrounding the initial stage of a bee's ...
Observing Queen Anomalies with Anne Frey (172)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - March 28, 2024 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this intriguing episode, Jim Tew and Anne Frey delve into the unexpected and often perplexing world of queen bee behavior and physiology that diverges from the norm. This episode explores the rare but fascinating occurrences that beekeepers might encounter with their queens, ranging from fain...
Plain Talk: Spring - Help, Don't Hurt Your Bees (171)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - March 21, 2024 10:00 - 18 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim takes beekeepers through the critical period of late winter and early spring, emphasizing the delicate balance between intervening in the hive and letting bees be. Drawing from his observations during an unseasonably warm day in Northeast Ohio, Jim share...
Managing Nucs with Anne Frey (170)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - March 14, 2024 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, we dive into the intricacies of nurturing nucleus colonies (nucs) with beekeeping expert Anne Frey from Better Bee. Jim and Anne discuss the benefits and methods of working with nucs, emphasizing their role in sustainable beekeeping practices. Anne shares h...
Plain Talk About Division Board Feeders (169)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - March 07, 2024 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode Jim discusses the obscure world of division board feeders, exploring their history, evolution, and practical use in beekeeping. These feeders, which replace a frame inside the hive, have undergone significant changes over the years, from simple molded plastics to modern versions ...
Talking With Kids About Bees (168)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - February 29, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this enlightening episode, Jim invites American Bee Journal editor, Eugene Makovec, to the podcast to chat about their experiences and insights on how to engage young minds with the fascinating world of beekeeping. They delve into the joys and challenges of presenting beekeeping to children, ...
Dealing With Heavy Hives with Anne Frey (167)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - February 22, 2024 10:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode, Jim Tew and Anne Frey tackle a common yet often overlooked challenge in beekeeping: managing the heavy weight of hives. They delve into practical solutions and innovative ideas to make beekeeping tasks more manageable, emphasizing that this issue impacts beekeepers regardless of...
Sampling Varroa Mites (166)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - February 15, 2024 10:00 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsJoin Jim Tew and David Peck in a critical conversation about Varroa mite management in beekeeping. This episode demystifies the process of counting mites, offering practical advice and insights into the importance of monitoring mite levels for the health of bee colonies. Discover various methods...
Eating Honey (165)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - February 08, 2024 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsDiving into the sweet yet challenging world of honey consumption, this week’s episode of Honey Bee Obscura delves into the nuances of enjoying honey—without the mess. Jim discusses the inevitable sticky spills that occur no matter how careful you are with honey. Whether it’s a drop missing the t...
Colony Collapse and Varroa, Plain Talk with Dr. David Peck (164)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - February 01, 2024 10:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn today's episode, Jim is joined by Dr. David Peck, an expert in varroa mites, to delve into the critical issue of honey bee colony collapse linked to varroa infestation. This topic is different from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), focusing instead on the impact of varroa mites and the diseases...
In Class with Jim: "Supering" (163)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - January 25, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this episode we delve into the concept of "supering," a term unique to beekeeping that has emerged over the past century. To those outside the beekeeping community, the term might sound like something out of a superhero comic, but for beekeepers, it's a crucial aspect of hive management. Ji...
Mentoring Young Beekeepers (162)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - January 18, 2024 10:00 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn today's episode, Jim and Becky Masterman (co-host of Beekeeping Today Podcast) delve into the challenges and joys of mentoring young beekeepers, with a special focus on family dynamics. Jim shares his recent experience of being asked to mentor his grandson, who lives four hours away in a diff...
Colony Confinement (161)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - January 11, 2024 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsBeekeepers must often confine their bees to the hives for long or short periods of time, whether it be to move them from one yard to another, or if pesticides are to be used in neighboring fields and even transporting home package bees or nucs in the spring. Have you ever considered the effects ...
Hive Inspections: When, Why and How Often (160)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - January 04, 2024 10:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsHive inspections are essential in the beekeeping, serving as the cornerstone for effective colony management. Through these inspections, beekeepers gain crucial insights that guide their decisions for immediate and long-term hive care. In this episode, Jim is joined by Anne Frey, an EAS Master B...
Keeping Small Colonies (159)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - December 28, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsIn this week's episode, Jim is delighted to welcome back David Peck from Betterbee. In this intriguing discussion, they explore what Jim calls, "Reverse Beekeeping," a unique approach that focuses on maintaining smaller bee colonies. Traditionally, beekeeping has been all about growing large c...
Repetition Beekeeping (158)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - December 21, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsPractice makes perfect, as the old adage says. This really rings true in the bee yard and working with honey bees. This week, Jim invites Betterbee’s EAS Master Beekeeper, Anne Frey, to the podcast to discuss how experience, gained by doing something over and over, is the basis of becoming a bet...
Downsizing Your Bee Operation (157)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast - December 14, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 100 ratingsThere comes a time for many beekeepers when they realize they have more colonies than time to properly work them - with “work” being the operative word. If they’ve been keeping bees long enough, they may decide that hefting ten-frame hive bodies full or honey or bees just too difficult. The beek...
Related Flottum Topics
- Apiary 2
- Beekeeper 2
- Beekeeping 2
- Bees 2
- Beeswax 2
- Honey 2
- Honeybees 2
- Insects 2
- Pollen 2
- Pollination 2