Search
40 Search results for: swarm
Episodes (20)
Videos (20)
Episodes
Capturing and Hiving Swarms (067)
March 31, 2022
A beekeeper's most exciting moment is undoubtedly, capturing and hiving a swarm... especially when it is someone else's bees! In today episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott - who is filling in for Kim Flottum this week - discuss capturing swarms and how you…
New Swarms On Deadout Comb? (050)
Dec. 2, 2021
Can You Put New Swarms on Old Comb? You’ve caught your first swarm. Where should it go? You don’t have any new equipment to put it on, but you have an overwintered colony that didn’t make it. Can you use the combs from that colony? Always the...
Vanishing Swarms: Now You See Them, Now You Don't! (127)
May 25, 2023
If you've been a beekeeper for any length of time and especially, after your first year in your own bee yard, you've seen a swarm, looked away to pick up something - maybe your camera, turn around and they're gone! Just like that. Swarms are simply.…
Well... It Depends - Swarms (124)
May 4, 2023
A lot of times, when somebody asks us a bee question, the best answer we can give them is, “It Depends.” In today’s episode, Kim and Jim explore the topic of Swarms. Where did it come from? Where do you put it? What do you do with the queen?...
Plain Talk: Predicting Swarms (232)
May 22, 2025
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim is back in the bee yard with a keen eye on an abandoned hive setup—watching and wondering if it might be chosen by a honey bee swarm. What starts as a quiet observation of scout bee behavior turns into a rea…
Swarms (014)
March 25, 2021
Have you ever tried to capture a swarm while hanging on to the top of a 10-foot ladder that’s standing in the back of a pickup? No? Well, Jim Tew has and he’ll tell you all about retrieving swarms this week. Kim Flottum has a story about Richard...
After The Swarm (082)
July 14, 2022
Swarm season is fun and exhilarating. Much has been written about swarms. They’ve been studied, photographed, pursued and just… watched. But what does the beekeeper do with the parent colony the next day? What do they do with the swarm after...
Plain Talk: A Small June Swarm (184)
June 20, 2024
In this episode, Jim Tew delves into the fascinating world of swarming behavior. Jim shares his experiences with swarms moving into winter-killed colonies, highlighting how these free bees can effectively clean up and rejuvenate old equipment. He...
Small Swarm, Revisited (190)
Aug. 1, 2024
In this episode, Jim revisits a small swarm he first discussed in June. As he inspects the colony, Jim shares his observations and strategies for nurturing this struggling swarm. Despite initial doubts, the colony has grown significantly,...
Swarm Traps aka Bait Hives (066)
March 24, 2022
In today's episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott (who's stepping in this week for Kim Flottum) discuss their experiences using swarm traps - sometimes called "bait hives". Swarm traps are used by beekeepers to lure the scout bees looking for a new home. The…
Plain Talk: The Lost Swarm (234)
June 5, 2025
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares the frustration and lessons learned from losing a swarm — a reminder that even seasoned beekeepers face humbling moments. Jim recounts how an unusually strong co...
The Good Things About Beekeeping (006)
Jan. 28, 2021
Kim and Jim trade notes of the things about bees and beekeeping that are fun, enjoyable, educational and generous. It’s about honey, gardens, a spring day, being an expert, capturing swarms and the things that work well when you work hard. The...
Tanging - What's All That Banging? (023)
May 27, 2021
What is tanging? Basically, beekeepers use some sort of device, an old cooking pot for instance, to make a loud noise by beating it with a spoon or stick, while chasing an escaping swarm. It is thought this may convince the bees that a storm with...
Water For Your Bees (079)
June 23, 2022
After you get through the winter, spring buildup, swarming season and the ever present varroa, you can sit back and smell the flowers, right? You’re a beekeeper! There is no time to rest! Jim has a question for you… “Where are your bees getting...
Managing Mid-Summer Splits (133)
July 6, 2023
In this episode, Kim and Jim discuss the pros and cons of mid-summer splits. Are they good or are they bad? It can go both ways. Mid-summer splits are used to divide a colony for swarm prevention, colony expansion, or the equalization of colony...
Moving Honey Supers in the Fall (144)
Sept. 14, 2023
This week, we continue with the theme of Fall management. Kim is out so, Jim invites Jeff Ott, from Beekeeping Today Podcast to join him to talk about dealing with heavy honey supers that remain and prepping the colonies for the coming Winter. Jim...
Plain Talk: A Bee Yard Stroll (224)
March 27, 2025
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.…
Plain Talk: A Spring Walk in the Bee Yard (177)
May 2, 2024
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 th…
Plain Talk: Exploring Bee Rooms (225)
April 3, 2025
Have you ever heard of a bee room? In this episode, Jim Tew revisits a nearly forgotten practice of intentionally housing honey bee colonies inside homes—typically in attics or wall cabinets—during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Far from...
Winter Packing (040)
Sept. 23, 2021
Think about honey bees overwintering in a tree. There’s 4 to 6 inches of insulation, pretty good ventilation, and it’s lined with propolis. Now think of our bees living in a box with less than an inch of wood for protection. We pretty much don’t...
Videos
Capturing and Hiving Swarms (067)
Nov. 3, 2022
A beekeeper's most exciting moment is undoubtedly, capturing and hiving a swarm... especially when it is someone else's bees! In today episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott - who is filling in for Kim Flottum this week - discuss capturing swarms and how you…
New Swarms On Deadout Comb? (050)
Oct. 31, 2022
Can You Put New Swarms on Old Comb?
You’ve caught your first swarm. Where should it go? You don’t have any new equipment to put it on, but you have an overwintered colony that didn’t make it. Can you use the combs from that colony? Always the be…
Plain Talk: Predicting Swarms (232)
May 22, 2025
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim is back in the bee yard with a keen eye on an abandoned hive setup—watching and wondering if it might be chosen by a swarm. What starts as a quiet observation of scout bee behavior turns into a real-time cas…
Vanishing Swarms: Now You See Them, Now You Don't! (127)
May 25, 2023
If you've been a beekeeper for any length of time and especially, after your first year in your own bee yard, you've seen a swarm, looked away to pick up something - maybe your camera, turn around and they're gone! Just like that.
Swarms are sim…
Well... It Depends - Swarms (124)
May 4, 2023
A lot of times, when somebody asks us a bee question, the best answer we can give them is, “It Depends.”
In today’s episode, Kim and Jim explore the topic of Swarms. Where did it come from? Where do you put it? What do you do with the queen? Sho…
After The Swarm (082)
Nov. 3, 2022
Swarm season is fun and exhilarating. Much has been written about swarms. They’ve been studied, photographed, pursued and just… watched. But what does the beekeeper do with the parent colony the next day? What do they do with the swarm after they’ve…
Plain Talk: A Small June Swarm
June 20, 2024
In this episode, Jim Tew delves into the fascinating world of swarming behavior. Jim shares his experiences with swarms moving into winter-killed colonies, highlighting how these free bees can effectively clean up and rejuvenate old equipment. He di…
Small Swarm, Revisited (190)
Aug. 1, 2024
In this episode, Jim revisits a small swarm he first discussed in June. As he inspects the colony, Jim shares his observations and strategies for nurturing this struggling swarm. Despite initial doubts, the colony has grown significantly, demonstrat…
Plain Talk: The Lost Swarm (234)
June 5, 2025
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares the frustration and lessons learned from losing a swarm — a reminder that even seasoned beekeepers face humbling moments. Jim recounts how an unusually strong colony, coupled with a bus…
Swarm Traps aka Bait Hives (066)
Nov. 3, 2022
In today's episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott (who's stepping in this week for Kim Flottum) discuss their experiences using swarm traps - sometimes called "bait hives". Swarm traps are used by beekeepers to lure the scout bees looking for a new home.
…
Archive Special: Dealing with Yellow Jackets (146)
Sept. 28, 2023
(This Archive Special first released, September 2, 2021.) Beekeepers are very often asked to help friends or neighbors that have “bee” problems…. honey bees, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, hornets, bumblebees and the like. But most of us aren’t ex…
Moving Honey Supers in the Fall (144)
Sept. 14, 2023
This week, we continue with the theme of Fall management. Kim is out so, Jim invites Jeff Ott, from Beekeeping Today Podcast to join him to talk about dealing with heavy honey supers that remain and prepping the colonies for the coming Winter.
J…
Plain Talk: A Bee Yard Stroll (224)
March 27, 2025
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 …
Plain Talk: A Spring Walk in the Bee Yard (177)
May 2, 2024
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 th…
Plain Talk: Exploring Bee Rooms (225)
April 3, 2025
Have you ever heard of a bee room? In this episode, Jim Tew revisits a nearly forgotten practice of intentionally housing honey bee colonies inside homes—typically in attics or wall cabinets—during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Far from today’s ob…
Dealing With Feisty Bees (075)
Nov. 3, 2022
Jim’s beeyard is the center of attention this week, because his bees were bothering his wife and a very patient, longtime neighbor. That’s not a good thing. So, exasperated, Jim asks Kim for his ideas about all that was going on and to help figure o…
Discussing Big Colonies with Anne (218)
Feb. 13, 2025
Managing large honey bee colonies comes with its own set of challenges and rewards, but are bigger colonies always better? In this episode, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to explore the benefits and potential downsides of managing large…
Keeping Small Colonies (159)
Dec. 28, 2023
In this week's episode, Jim is delighted to welcome back David Peck from Betterbee. In this intriguing discussion, they explore what Jim calls, "Reverse Beekeeping," a unique approach that focuses on maintaining smaller bee colonies.
Traditional…
Managing Mid-Summer Splits (133)
July 6, 2023
In this episode, Kim and Jim discuss the pros and cons of mid-summer splits. Are they good or are they bad? It can go both ways.
Mid-summer splits are used to divide a colony for swarm prevention, colony expansion, or the equalization of colony …
Capturing and Hiving Swarms (067)
March 31, 2022
A beekeeper's most exciting moment is undoubtedly, capturing and hiving a swarm... especially when it is someone else's bees! In today episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott - who is filling in for Kim Flottum this week - discuss capturing swarms and how you…
New Swarms On Deadout Comb? (050)
Dec. 2, 2021
Can You Put New Swarms on Old Comb? You’ve caught your first swarm. Where should it go? You don’t have any new equipment to put it on, but you have an overwintered colony that didn’t make it. Can you use the combs from that colony? Always the...
Vanishing Swarms: Now You See Them, Now You Don't! (127)
May 25, 2023
If you've been a beekeeper for any length of time and especially, after your first year in your own bee yard, you've seen a swarm, looked away to pick up something - maybe your camera, turn around and they're gone! Just like that. Swarms are simply.…
Well... It Depends - Swarms (124)
May 4, 2023
A lot of times, when somebody asks us a bee question, the best answer we can give them is, “It Depends.” In today’s episode, Kim and Jim explore the topic of Swarms. Where did it come from? Where do you put it? What do you do with the queen?...
Plain Talk: Predicting Swarms (232)
May 22, 2025
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim is back in the bee yard with a keen eye on an abandoned hive setup—watching and wondering if it might be chosen by a honey bee swarm. What starts as a quiet observation of scout bee behavior turns into a rea…
Swarms (014)
March 25, 2021
Have you ever tried to capture a swarm while hanging on to the top of a 10-foot ladder that’s standing in the back of a pickup? No? Well, Jim Tew has and he’ll tell you all about retrieving swarms this week. Kim Flottum has a story about Richard...
After The Swarm (082)
July 14, 2022
Swarm season is fun and exhilarating. Much has been written about swarms. They’ve been studied, photographed, pursued and just… watched. But what does the beekeeper do with the parent colony the next day? What do they do with the swarm after...
Plain Talk: A Small June Swarm (184)
June 20, 2024
In this episode, Jim Tew delves into the fascinating world of swarming behavior. Jim shares his experiences with swarms moving into winter-killed colonies, highlighting how these free bees can effectively clean up and rejuvenate old equipment. He...
Small Swarm, Revisited (190)
Aug. 1, 2024
In this episode, Jim revisits a small swarm he first discussed in June. As he inspects the colony, Jim shares his observations and strategies for nurturing this struggling swarm. Despite initial doubts, the colony has grown significantly,...
Swarm Traps aka Bait Hives (066)
March 24, 2022
In today's episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott (who's stepping in this week for Kim Flottum) discuss their experiences using swarm traps - sometimes called "bait hives". Swarm traps are used by beekeepers to lure the scout bees looking for a new home. The…
Plain Talk: The Lost Swarm (234)
June 5, 2025
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares the frustration and lessons learned from losing a swarm — a reminder that even seasoned beekeepers face humbling moments. Jim recounts how an unusually strong co...
The Good Things About Beekeeping (006)
Jan. 28, 2021
Kim and Jim trade notes of the things about bees and beekeeping that are fun, enjoyable, educational and generous. It’s about honey, gardens, a spring day, being an expert, capturing swarms and the things that work well when you work hard. The...
Tanging - What's All That Banging? (023)
May 27, 2021
What is tanging? Basically, beekeepers use some sort of device, an old cooking pot for instance, to make a loud noise by beating it with a spoon or stick, while chasing an escaping swarm. It is thought this may convince the bees that a storm with...
Water For Your Bees (079)
June 23, 2022
After you get through the winter, spring buildup, swarming season and the ever present varroa, you can sit back and smell the flowers, right? You’re a beekeeper! There is no time to rest! Jim has a question for you… “Where are your bees getting...
Managing Mid-Summer Splits (133)
July 6, 2023
In this episode, Kim and Jim discuss the pros and cons of mid-summer splits. Are they good or are they bad? It can go both ways. Mid-summer splits are used to divide a colony for swarm prevention, colony expansion, or the equalization of colony...
Moving Honey Supers in the Fall (144)
Sept. 14, 2023
This week, we continue with the theme of Fall management. Kim is out so, Jim invites Jeff Ott, from Beekeeping Today Podcast to join him to talk about dealing with heavy honey supers that remain and prepping the colonies for the coming Winter. Jim...
Plain Talk: A Bee Yard Stroll (224)
March 27, 2025
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.…
Plain Talk: A Spring Walk in the Bee Yard (177)
May 2, 2024
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 th…
Plain Talk: Exploring Bee Rooms (225)
April 3, 2025
Have you ever heard of a bee room? In this episode, Jim Tew revisits a nearly forgotten practice of intentionally housing honey bee colonies inside homes—typically in attics or wall cabinets—during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Far from...
Winter Packing (040)
Sept. 23, 2021
Think about honey bees overwintering in a tree. There’s 4 to 6 inches of insulation, pretty good ventilation, and it’s lined with propolis. Now think of our bees living in a box with less than an inch of wood for protection. We pretty much don’t...
Capturing and Hiving Swarms (067)
Nov. 3, 2022
A beekeeper's most exciting moment is undoubtedly, capturing and hiving a swarm... especially when it is someone else's bees! In today episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott - who is filling in for Kim Flottum this week - discuss capturing swarms and how you…
New Swarms On Deadout Comb? (050)
Oct. 31, 2022
Can You Put New Swarms on Old Comb?
You’ve caught your first swarm. Where should it go? You don’t have any new equipment to put it on, but you have an overwintered colony that didn’t make it. Can you use the combs from that colony? Always the be…
Plain Talk: Predicting Swarms (232)
May 22, 2025
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim is back in the bee yard with a keen eye on an abandoned hive setup—watching and wondering if it might be chosen by a swarm. What starts as a quiet observation of scout bee behavior turns into a real-time cas…
Vanishing Swarms: Now You See Them, Now You Don't! (127)
May 25, 2023
If you've been a beekeeper for any length of time and especially, after your first year in your own bee yard, you've seen a swarm, looked away to pick up something - maybe your camera, turn around and they're gone! Just like that.
Swarms are sim…
Well... It Depends - Swarms (124)
May 4, 2023
A lot of times, when somebody asks us a bee question, the best answer we can give them is, “It Depends.”
In today’s episode, Kim and Jim explore the topic of Swarms. Where did it come from? Where do you put it? What do you do with the queen? Sho…
After The Swarm (082)
Nov. 3, 2022
Swarm season is fun and exhilarating. Much has been written about swarms. They’ve been studied, photographed, pursued and just… watched. But what does the beekeeper do with the parent colony the next day? What do they do with the swarm after they’ve…
Plain Talk: A Small June Swarm
June 20, 2024
In this episode, Jim Tew delves into the fascinating world of swarming behavior. Jim shares his experiences with swarms moving into winter-killed colonies, highlighting how these free bees can effectively clean up and rejuvenate old equipment. He di…
Small Swarm, Revisited (190)
Aug. 1, 2024
In this episode, Jim revisits a small swarm he first discussed in June. As he inspects the colony, Jim shares his observations and strategies for nurturing this struggling swarm. Despite initial doubts, the colony has grown significantly, demonstrat…
Plain Talk: The Lost Swarm (234)
June 5, 2025
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares the frustration and lessons learned from losing a swarm — a reminder that even seasoned beekeepers face humbling moments. Jim recounts how an unusually strong colony, coupled with a bus…
Swarm Traps aka Bait Hives (066)
Nov. 3, 2022
In today's episode, Jim Tew and Jeff Ott (who's stepping in this week for Kim Flottum) discuss their experiences using swarm traps - sometimes called "bait hives". Swarm traps are used by beekeepers to lure the scout bees looking for a new home.
…
Archive Special: Dealing with Yellow Jackets (146)
Sept. 28, 2023
(This Archive Special first released, September 2, 2021.) Beekeepers are very often asked to help friends or neighbors that have “bee” problems…. honey bees, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, hornets, bumblebees and the like. But most of us aren’t ex…
Moving Honey Supers in the Fall (144)
Sept. 14, 2023
This week, we continue with the theme of Fall management. Kim is out so, Jim invites Jeff Ott, from Beekeeping Today Podcast to join him to talk about dealing with heavy honey supers that remain and prepping the colonies for the coming Winter.
J…
Plain Talk: A Bee Yard Stroll (224)
March 27, 2025
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 …
Plain Talk: A Spring Walk in the Bee Yard (177)
May 2, 2024
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 th…
Plain Talk: Exploring Bee Rooms (225)
April 3, 2025
Have you ever heard of a bee room? In this episode, Jim Tew revisits a nearly forgotten practice of intentionally housing honey bee colonies inside homes—typically in attics or wall cabinets—during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Far from today’s ob…
Dealing With Feisty Bees (075)
Nov. 3, 2022
Jim’s beeyard is the center of attention this week, because his bees were bothering his wife and a very patient, longtime neighbor. That’s not a good thing. So, exasperated, Jim asks Kim for his ideas about all that was going on and to help figure o…
Discussing Big Colonies with Anne (218)
Feb. 13, 2025
Managing large honey bee colonies comes with its own set of challenges and rewards, but are bigger colonies always better? In this episode, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to explore the benefits and potential downsides of managing large…
Keeping Small Colonies (159)
Dec. 28, 2023
In this week's episode, Jim is delighted to welcome back David Peck from Betterbee. In this intriguing discussion, they explore what Jim calls, "Reverse Beekeeping," a unique approach that focuses on maintaining smaller bee colonies.
Traditional…
Managing Mid-Summer Splits (133)
July 6, 2023
In this episode, Kim and Jim discuss the pros and cons of mid-summer splits. Are they good or are they bad? It can go both ways.
Mid-summer splits are used to divide a colony for swarm prevention, colony expansion, or the equalization of colony …