Episodes

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 …

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. Alon…

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, …

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 attemp...

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…

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 co...

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 prepa…

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 …

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 …

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.

Jim Tew records live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo, sharing first impressions, observations on modern beekeeping, and the energy of one of the industry’s largest gatherings.

Episode 265 – Beekeeping Invasions with Anne Frey Beekeeping today looks very different than it did just a few decades ago, largely because of the steady arrival of invasive pests and pathogens. In this episode of Honey Bee O...

Jim Tew and Anne Frey talk plainly about wintering bees—insulation, emergency feeding, ventilation myths, and what actually helps colonies survive deep winter cold as the new year begins.

On Christmas Day, Jim Tew steps away from technical beekeeping talk to share personal stories, reflections, and memories shaped by family, work, and a lifetime of making things by hand.