Beekeeping For Newbees®

Episode 199 - The 5 Questions Every Hive Inspection Should Answer (Part 1 of 2) 🐝

Most new beekeepers open their hives too much or not nearly enough, and both create real problems. In this episode we build a simple, repeatable inspection framework around five questions that will focus every hive visit and cut out the guesswork. We also cover what to expect in those first one to three weeks after install, how to read your brood frames, when to feed and when to back off, and why swarm pressure can build faster than most people realize. This is Part 1 of a two-part series on growing your new colony through spring.What's Inside This Episode:• The 5 questions to answer on every inspection and why they replace the need to pull every frame• How to locate the queen as a new beekeeper, including a frame trick that works even when you cannot spot her• Reading your brood pattern and what a good pattern actually looks like versus what deserves a closer look• Food and feeding decisions in the first few weeks and when it makes sense to taper off• How to spot space issues that quietly build swarm pressure before you ever see a queen cell• Swarm pressure indicators and what to actually do when things are getting tight• How often to inspect and why stretching to four to six weeks is a setup for serious problems• Walk-away splits explained for when you need to leave town and the hive is showing signs• New app launch: AI-powered, built around the Beekeeping for Newbees training library, dropping April 28th• Free pre-inspection checklist available now at beekeepingfornewbees.comPerfect For You If:You just installed a package or nuc and are not sure what to look for when you open the hive, or you have been pulling every frame on every visit and want a smarter, faster way to get it doneMore Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAdditional Resources:Never Take Hive Notes Again: https://youtu.be/DWdKMG-Wl-wPackage Bees Install Video: https://youtu.be/wSAXt4kODz8About the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 198 – Installing Packages and Nucs, Part 2: What I Did Wrong and What to Do Next 🐝

In this episode we pick up right where we left off and continue the install process, including a mistake I made and how to handle it if it happens to you. We also walk through what to do after installation, how to handle feeding, and what to expect in those first few days. This wraps up the install process and sets you up for your first inspections. What’s Inside This Episode:• What happens if you remove the wrong cork on a queen cage and how to fix it• Why leaving your bees alone after install is one of the most important steps• How and when to check queen release without disturbing the colony• Feeding strategies after install and when to start tapering off• Differences in feeding and management between packages and nucs• Common mistakes like over-inspecting and delaying installs too long• What to expect in the first week and how to prepare for early inspectionsWhy Listen to This Episode?Even small mistakes during install can have a big impact if you do not know how to handle them. This episode helps you recover from those moments and sets clear expectations for what comes next.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAdditional Resources:Installing Bee Packages: https://youtu.be/wSAXt4kODz8Vented Entrance Reducer: https://youtube.com/shorts/bd6cEeE_kSkSwarm Trap Prep and Bait Video: https://youtu.be/VOn8nv4ZqKEBuilding a Swarm Trap: https://youtu.be/uksabwBuzlEAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 197 – Installing Packages and Nucs, Part 1: Step-by-Step Setup and Mistakes to Avoid 🐝

In this episode we walk through the process of installing package bees and what to expect on day one. We break down the differences between packages and nucs, how to prepare your hive, and the exact steps to get your bees settled in safely. This is part one of a two-part series, focusing on setup and install before moving into early follow-up and inspections. What’s Inside This Episode:• The key differences between package bees and nucs and how that affects your starting point• Why protective gear is still important even when bees are less defensive during install• How and when to feed new packages• Using a sprayer to calm bees during install• Positioning the queen cage for a safe release• Getting frames back in place and closing up the hive without crushing beesWhy Listen to This Episode?Installing bees is one of the most important moments for a new beekeeper. This episode walks you through the process so you can avoid common mistakes and start your colony off strong.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAdditional Resources:Installing Packages: https://youtu.be/wSAXt4kODz8Checking Queens: (links forthcoming)Bucket Feeder: https://youtu.be/lTowIiSjTtgMixing 2:1 in a Bucket: https://youtube.com/shorts/sQqb_uuYzhQNever Take Hive Notes Again: https://youtu.be/DWdKMG-Wl-wAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 196 – The Bee Buzz (33): Answering Your Beekeeping Questions 🐝💡

In this episode we jump into a Bee Buzz and work through a series of listener questions from around the country. We cover a range of real-world scenarios including equipment cleanup, feeding decisions, splits, brood development, and adding space. This is a practical Q&A focused on what beekeepers are dealing with right now. What’s Inside This Episode:• How to clean used frames and what to watch out for when reusing old equipment• Feeding decisions during spring buildup and how syrup fits into comb production• How to set up new packages and when to expand from a single box• Timing splits and why drone availability is critical for successful mating• Why bees may ignore pollen patties and how to use them safely• Uneven brood expansion between colonies and what is considered normal• When to add honey supers and how to avoid becoming honey boundWhy Listen to This Episode?These Bee Buzz episodes focus on real questions from real beekeepers. If you are working through spring decisions and want straightforward guidance, this episode gives you practical answers you can use right away.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 195 – Big Updates: Thank You, MBK Program Changes, and the New Beekeeping App 🐝📱

In this episode we take a step back from the hive and talk about some important updates. We start with a big thank you to the community and supporters who help keep everything going, then dive into the Master Beekeeper program, what it was designed to do, and why things have shifted. We also introduce the new coaching app and how it is shaping the future of how this content is delivered. What’s Inside This Episode:• A sincere thank you to listeners and Buy Me a Coffee supporters and how that support directly impacts the work being done• Hitting a major milestone in podcast downloads and what that growth means for the community• What the Master Beekeeper program was designed to accomplish and who it was built for• Why the original course rollout was delayed and the challenges behind the scenes• The vision of creating a more accessible path for beekeepers with unique challenges or limitations• How the new coaching app works and how it delivers training, tracking, and resources in one place• What the shift to the app means for future content, training, and ongoing developmentWhy Listen to This Episode?This episode gives you a clear look at where everything is heading and why certain decisions were made. If you follow the podcast or are interested in the upcoming training tools, this connects all the pieces.More Info:🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbeesAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy