Beekeeping Buddies – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode 44 of Beekeeping Buddies takes us out west as we talk about beekeeping in Arizona and how conditions there compare to what many of us see in the Midwest. We also dig into swapping queens in package bees, including why a beekeeper might choose to do it. In this episode's Honeybee Hotline, we answer listener questions and work through practical beekeeping issues from the field. Lastly on our droning on, we talk about what we will be doing as we reach warmer temperatures and longer days!

Honey Hives Farm: https://honeyhivefarms.com/

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

We're enjoying a stretch of beautiful weather here in the Peoria area, and that can only mean one thing for beekeepers: false spring temptation.

This week, Steve and Luke talk through what you should (and shouldn't) be doing during these warm February days. When is it smart to crack a lid? When should you leave well enough alone? And how do you avoid setting your colonies back before maples even think about blooming?

Luke also shares a hard lesson from the yard an accident that resulted in a grass fire. What happened, what caused it, and what you can do to avoid the same mistake around your apiary.

Finally, Luke breaks down some of the standout speakers and takeaways from the Midwest Honeybee Expo in Wisconsin. From practical management tips to bigger industry conversations, there was plenty worth bringing back home to Illinois.

If you're staring at your hives in 50-degree weather wondering whether to "just take a quick peek," this episode is for you.

Midwest Honeybee Expo: https://www.midwesthoneybeeexpo.com/

North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09431-y
• Honeybee Disease Impacts Flight: It appers that different diseases impact how far our honeybees will fly. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-hidden-honey-bee-viruses-flight.html

Honeybee Hotline:

• Can You Feed Maple Syrup: We talk about if this is a problem!
• Taking Honey Leaving Deep and Medium: What does it take to overwinter in a deep and a medium? Are there other issues?

Droning On:

• What are we doing in the next few weeks?
• Luke's New Trip: Luke goes overseas to check out an overseas apiary!

Tune in to Episode 34 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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 Have Hive Beetles?: If you have hive beetles once are they always at that hive?

Tune in to Episode 33 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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 as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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 insured (again) for the cutouts.

Tune in to Episode 30 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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 winter and why the dieoffs were so high. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.28.656706v1.full

Honeybee Hotline:

• Discord Server Live: https://discord.gg/SzCUt7yZ come talk to Steve and Luke and make some beekeeping buddies!
• Rewaxing Frames: What we use to rewax our frames.
• Queenless Colonies: Do you add brood from another hive when I add a queen?
• How Many Queen Cells: How many grafted queen cells do you add to a hive?
• Honeybound: How to deal with honeybound hives.
• How to Move Bees Into Drawn Supers: How we get bees to move into drawn supers.
• How to Fix a Drone Laying Queen Coming Out of Winter
• How to Requeen a Large, Mean, Hive
• Where is the Colony Cliff?

Droning On:

• Honey, Treating, and Spring Splits: Luke and Steve talk about what we are doing.

Tune in to Episode 29 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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 Flower Preference: Study shows bumblebee pressure with pollination is causing some flowers shift from red to yellow.

Honeybee Hotline:

• Discord Server Live: https://discord.gg/SzCUt7yZ come talk to Steve and Luke and make some beekeeping buddies!
• City Ordinances: Ever wanted to change your city ordinances? Luke and Steve talk about how we did it!

Droning On:

• Queen Rearing Course: Luke and Steve work on their queen rearing course.
• Moving Bees To Clover: Trying out moving queens to clover.
• Oxylic Acid Pads: Luke makes and is trying out OA pads for his hives.

Bonus Content:

• Riverivew Road Apiary Needs a Truck?

Tune in to Episode 28 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf

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 Grafting: Queen grafting classes.

Tune in to Episode 27 for all this and more as we delve into the world of beekeeping in Central Illinois, providing you with practical advice, the latest news, and answers to your buzzing questions.

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf