Episodes

Jim Tew visits a longtime colleague to inspect a tiny exposed honey bee colony built on a fallen tree branch. Together they discuss how small swarms sometimes settle in unexpected locations, what challenges these colonies face, and whether this unusual little hive can be rescued and transferred into standard beekeeping equipment.

Summer heat brings a familiar sight to many beekeepers: honey bees clustered outside the hive entrance, hanging from the landing board, and covering the front of the colony. In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew reflects on what beekeepers often call “bearding” and shares memories from decades of working bees in the heat of the Deep South.

In this archived Honey Bee Obscura conversation, Jim Tew and the late Kim Flottum discuss Working Bees in the Heat and the challenges of managing colonies during the hottest part of summer. From hydration and shade to recognizing heat exhaustion and heat stroke, they share practical advice for staying safe while working bees in demanding weather conditions. The discussion also highlights the importance of planning ahead, working smart, and knowing when to stop before heat-related illness becomes a serious risk.

In this personal episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Dr. Jim Tew reflects on the realities of maintaining an apiary later in life. Faced with waist-high grass, summer heat, allergies, and thirteen thriving colonies, Jim explores how beekeeping changes as beekeepers age. Along the way, he discusses swarm captures, natural comb construction, glyphosate use, habitat value, and the ongoing challenge of balancing practical bee management with a deep appreciation for honey bee biology.

Jim Tew returns to the bee yard to inspect five package colonies installed earlier in the spring. The colonies are thriving and rapidly filling their equipment, prompting a discussion about colony growth, swarm prevention, and the need for additional space. Jim also experiments with an oscillating multi-tool as a possible solution for heavily propolized frames, sharing his real-time observations on whether the idea has practical value. Along the way, he reflects on hive management, plastic versus wooden frames, and the challenge of maintaining colonies in a single deep brood chamber.

Jim Tew welcomes his grandson, Will Laditka, back to Honey Bee Obscura for a candid conversation about the realities of beginner beekeeping. Will reflects on losing his first colonies, learning through mistakes, and recently giving a college presentation about honey bees and bee communication. Along the way, Jim and Will compare how beekeeping has changed across generations, from simple homemade hive equipment to the higher costs and challenges facing new beekeepers today. It’s an honest and encouraging discussion about curiosity, persistence, and learning the craft of beekeeping one colony at a time.

The “Wayward Swarm” saga finally comes to an end as Jim Tew and Jason Ferrell inspect the troubled colony after weeks of uncertainty. Despite cold weather, overloaded trap cages, ladder mishaps, and multiple setbacks, the queen survived and the colony is thriving. Jim reflects on swarm management, aging in the bee yard, and the unpredictable realities of practical beekeeping.

In this third installment of The Wayward Swarm , Jim Tew returns to the now-infamous swarm hanging high in a tree after days of cold rain and falling temperatures. Joined by longtime beekeeper friend Jason Ferrell, Jim attempts one final rescue effort for what may be one of the largest — and most ill-fated — swarms either of them has encountered. What follows is raw, field-recorded beekeeping under miserable spring conditions. With temperatures hovering near 40°F, rain moving through, and the cl...

Jim Tew shares a real-time account of attempting to capture a difficult swarm, reflecting on swarm behavior, beekeeper decision-making, and the importance of knowing when to step back.

Jim Tew shares a real-time look at managing packages, unexpected colony survival, and a surprise swarm—highlighting the unpredictability and practical lessons of beekeeping.

In Part 2 of this two-part series, Jim Tew and Anne Frey continue their discussion on package bee installation, focusing on queen release timing, handling techniques, and the small decisions that can determine early colony success. From candy plug challenges to real-world queen loss scenarios, they share practical insights drawn from years of experience.The conversation also revisits common early-season mistakes—especially around feeding and hive setup—and highlights how easily new packages can fail if conditions aren’t right. Whether you’re installing your first package or refining your approach, this episode offers straightforward, experience-based guidance to improve outcomes in the critical first days of a new colony.

Package bee installation tips with Anne Frey and Jim Tew, covering setup methods, feeding mistakes, and queen release strategies for early spring success.

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.

Jim Tew investigates two winter colony losses in the bee yard, sharing real-time observations, possible causes, and the reality that not every colony failure has a clear explanation.

Dr. Jim Tew reflects on the practice of putting new bees into old hives, exploring not just equipment decisions but the mindset and judgment behind everyday beekeeping choices.

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura , Jim Tew reflects on attending a recent Tri-County beekeeping meeting—one he helped organize years ago while working at the OSU Research Center in Wooster, Ohio. His plan was to record conversations with beekeepers at the event and capture some of the voices and stories from the meeting. But sometimes plans change. A packed room, wind, and background noise made recording nearly impossible. Back at the bee yard, Jim shares his impressions of the day instead. ...

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.

Anne visits Georgia in mid-winter and compares southern beekeeping practices with northern management. Jim and Anne discuss syrup feeding, nectar dearths, small hive beetles, varroa control differences, and why climate shapes every beekeeping decision.

Jim returns to the winter bee yard expecting losses but finds surprising survival. A reflective Plain Talk on cleansing flights, resilience, and the emotional return of spring hope for beekeepers.

As spring approaches, Jim Tew and Anne Frey talk through the real-world decisions behind ordering, transporting, and installing honey bee packages. From how many colonies to buy to the risks of overheating during travel, this episode offers practical, experience-driven guidance for beekeepers preparing for the new season.

In this Plain Talk episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew records live from a snow-covered bee yard during one of the coldest stretches of winter he can remember. With deep snow, sub-zero temperatures, and uncertainty hanging over every colony, Jim reflects on what winter loss really feels like—and why beekeepers keep going anyway.

As winter storms move across much of North America, Jim Tew reflects on beekeeping, weather, and the realities of starting over. From insulation choices and equipment decisions to aging as a beekeeper and adjusting expectations, this episode offers thoughtful, honest plain talk for anyone managing bees in cold conditions.

What happens when a lifelong beekeeper walks the floor of a modern beekeeping expo and realizes just how much the craft has changed? In this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew reflects on NAHBE, innovation fatigue, and finding renewed meaning in simplicity and community.