Will Laditka

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.

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 is joined by his grandson, Will, to provide an update on Will’s first season as a beekeeper. They revisit the progress of the two colonies they set up in the spring, discussing the ups and downs Will has faced, including battles...