Bee Behavior Episodes

Jim Tew reflects on light and darkness in the hive, exploring how honey bees function in complete darkness and what beekeepers may not fully understand.

Jim Tew and Anne Frey discuss nucs, wax production, and how bees build comb, sharing practical insights and observations from the bee yard.

On a chilly late-winter walk through the bee yard, Jim reflects on late winter robbing behavior and whether we’ve misunderstood it. Is robbing simply theft—or a natural survival strategy when forage is scarce? A thoughtful Plain Talk episode on instinct, survival, and perspective.

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew recounts an unexpected August swarm that turned a normal day into a beekeeping puzzle. What began as a routine check for a groundhog problem quickly spiraled into a surprise discovery: a swarm squeezed into the narrow space beneath his barn. Jim shares the challenges of coaxing the bees out of an impossible location, from using honey as bait to trying smoke and even recalling Tom Seeley’s research on swarm behavior. Along the way, he reflects on y...

On this rainy and unseasonably chilly spring day, Jim Tew heads out to his bee yard with longtime friend and former lab assistant Jason Ferrell. While the original plan was to inspect a package colony, the weather—and some unexpected bee behavior—had other ideas. What began as a routine day in the yard quickly turned into a puzzling observation. Why were a dozen bees congregating on a white hive cover in 51°F drizzle? Their tongues extended, their abdomens pulsating—Jim and Jason speculate: A...

Spring has finally arrived, and that means it’s time for a long-awaited bee yard visit! In this episode, Jim Tew heads out to check on his colonies after a tough winter. With a 30% winter loss, Jim reflects on the challenges of neglecting his hives...

What happens when a honey bee nears the end of its life? In this episode, Jim Tew explores the little-discussed yet fascinating behavior of dying bees. Why do some bees fly away to die while others fall just outside the hive entrance? What instinct...

In this reflective episode, Jim delves into the fascinating realm of beekeeping mysteries and experiences he’s never witnessed firsthand despite decades in the field. From the elusive sight of queens and drones mating mid-flight to spotting a queen...

In this episode, Jim is joined by his grandson, Will, to discuss preparing hives for winter, especially for smaller or struggling colonies. Jim explains the natural decline in bee population as winter approaches and the importance of clustering...

In this episode, Jim explores the intriguing behavior of honey bees fanning at the hive entrance. What might seem like simple wing-flapping turns out to be a complex system of hive temperature and humidity regulation, vital for brood development and...

In this episode, Anne Frey from Betterbee takes over hosting duties while Jim recovers from illness. Anne shares her unique observations and insights into the small but fascinating details of beekeeping that are often overlooked during routine hive...

In this episode, Jim delves into the curious and often frustrating relationship between honey bees and lawn mowers. Exploring why bees sometimes aggressively respond to lawn mowers while ignoring them on other days, Jim examines the various factors...

In this episode, Jim delves into the complex and ancient relationship between honey bees and wax moths. Moving beyond the typical beekeeper concerns, Jim explores how these two species have coexisted for millions of years, engaging in a continuous...

In this engaging episode, Jim welcomes Anne Frey from Betterbee to discuss a variety of timely beekeeping topics. They delve into the challenges of early mite infestations, highlighting the importance of proactive treatments. Jim and Anne also explore...

In this episode, Jim delves into the curious behavior known as washboarding. As he observes his bees engaging in this rhythmic activity, Jim explores various hypotheses and shares insights from both personal observations and scientific studies. He...

In this episode, Jim explores the fascinating concept of bee personalities and how they change throughout the seasons. On a scorching hot day, Jim reflects on how bees adapt their behavior to cope with the heat, the challenges of finding water, and...

Join 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...

In 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...

In 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...

Hive 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...

In today’s episode Jim invites Becky Masterman to discuss the lasting impact of Dr. Walter Rothenbuhler’s seminal research on honey bee hygienic behavior. His work, which has been a bedrock in the field of apiculture, sheds light on the genetic...

In this episode, Jim, is joined by guest, Eugene Makovec, the editor of The American Bee Journal, to dissect the emotionally charged debate that's capturing the attention of beekeepers everywhere: Do honey bees harm native bees? This intriguing...

It’s the time of year when summer is nearly over, but the fall flow hasn’t started. Colonies are big, there’s lot of foragers, and not much to forage on, yet. A colony that is ripe for being robbed is usually small, weak, and not able to defend...

Jim got a call from a listener who had a question. She wrote, “I went out to my bees early this week, and in front of the hive and on the landing board I saw partially eaten larvae, larva skins and a mess, all over. What could cause that to...