Hobby Beekeeping
Episodes
Tractor Thoughts and Planning
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cutting the dried wildflowers gives me a chance to think about how I want to keep bees as a hobby beekeeper. The 95% loss has been amazing for resear...
Hive Autopsy
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I go through the painful task of opening and cleaning out the dead hives. It's likely the worst part of hobby beekeeping. What did I find and what d...
95% of the Hives have Died
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
At first, it is tough to see that all but one of our hives on the farm have died, but it's actually an incredible opportunity. Here's the story and s...
Coping with Hive Loss
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As hobby beekeepers, we all face the losses from the winter this time of year. Here are some ways to get through it with practical strategies, and th...
Hive Swarm Risk is Launched
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pleased to announce that our new tool, which helps with understanding Hive Swarm Risk, is now available. How to use it and how it helps is the focus ...
We Usually don't Know What Killed our Bees
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The risk of listening to others or experts who seem to think they know what may have killed our bees is a mistake. In this podcast, I discuss why, in...
I killed My Nova Scotia Bees
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Stupid is Stupid does. I totally messed up and killed my Nova Scotia Bees. Here is the story.
To Treat or not to Treat?
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As hobby beekeepers, we consider the changing environment in which we introduce our bees to be important. Do we choose to treat or not? Finding a be...
Keeping Bees in Ontario and New Brunswick
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Part one of a two-part interview with a hobby beekeeper who has bees in Ontario and New Brunswick, Canada. What are the challenges and what philosophy...
A New Tool to Help with Swarm Prediction
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Knowing when a hive is starting the first steps in possible swarming can be very helpful to hobby beekeepers. It may also signal when it's time to con...
If Bees Hate Each Other Why do We Put them Togehter?
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As a hobby beekeeper, I wonder about the scientific evidence that shows bees choose to live far apart in nature. We know that drifting, robbing, and ...
How would I Start Beekeeping Today
14 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Someone asked me a few questions about starting beekeeping as a hobby today, so here is my short list. I also talk about the need to interact with be...
Hobby Beekeeper could go To Jail for Taking Bees Home
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hard to believe but true. Here in Canada, if you take your bees from your home to a cottage that may be in another province, you could be fined $10,0...
Hands off Drones
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In a new study, Drones are reported to transmit gut microbes to queens during mating. It opens up a whole new world and appreciation in understanding...
Green Goop on a Beekeeping Podcast?
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hobby beekeeping is more than working with bees. It's a way to understand all of the things that can connect to our passion of bees and as well natur...
Doing Less in 2026
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Beekeeping used to be a relaxing hobby where it was a safe place to off load some weight or pressure. Now keeping bees seems to add to that weight. ...
Will you Become a Citizen Scientist in 2026?
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your Hobby beekeeping can get to the next level if you are ready. We are upgrading aibeehealth.ca to include a way you can analyze your front entranc...
Winter Time to do Nothing
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While the temptation is to keep helping our bees in the winter, this may be the wrong thing to do. here is why for me, it's a time to leave them alon...
Why do You Keep Bees?
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I asked myself that question, and the answer has nothing to do with honey or general beekeeping. When three of my worlds collided this week, maybe I'...
Deformed Wing Virus Spotted
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
First time after viewing thousands of front entrance clips, we see this. It is in a 2-frame research hive spotted on October 26. The original hive is ...
The Placebo Effect of Varroa Treatments
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With hobby beekeeping, I often wonder whether I should add a bit of thymol to help my bees. Treating for varroa seems to be something many of us thin...
AI Update and Bee Lessons
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we wind down the year a look at our failed and survivor hives with some Bee Lessons on life and money management.
Yellow Jacket Attack
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I often think I can save them when I see the yellow jacket attacks, but it is really only a sign of a different problem. Here are my thoughts and Hiv...
Late Fall Hive Updates
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With just two hives failing so far, it's not enough to run the data. But some failed splits may help us better understand what may have happened to t...
Why I'm Excited to have Finally Lost some Hives
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's sad on one side, but exciting on the other to have finally lost some hives. The lost hive data when compared to those that survived may help us ...
Some Thoughts on the Year and Next Steps
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the bees wind down, so do I. Here are some updates as we move into late fall.
The Fraud of Nature Based and Treatment Free Beekeeping
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What a week. My eyes were opened wide as I learned of this fraud. Not surprisingly, I was a part of it. Here's the story.
This Scientist explains why Treatment Free is the Only Way
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this rare interview on my podcast, I bring on Dr. Gary Brook whose article I recently discussed on the ability to have bees treatment-free. It's a...
Science Says Stop Treating for Mites
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The evidence is pretty clear now that beekeepers need not treat for mites. In this podcast, I discuss the recently published article that says using ...
Stupid Beekeeping Researcher Tricks
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While the USDA wants us to believe mites and viruses killed our bees this year, it's not true. Listen while I explain some common researcher tricks a...
From the Nova Scotia Bee House
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I record this podcast from the Bee House and discuss the benefits of this approach plus hive updates.
AI Does Help Orientation Flights and the good of Honey Bound Hives
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A bit of this and that, plus special thanks for sending me your comments.
Nature Based Beekeeping and Dog Days of August
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, I discuss a presentation made by Dr. Thomas Seeley 11 months ago, and how it is an important and valuable training tool for hobby bee...
Bad Air Swarms and Hive Updates
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The bad air has made the bees jumpy and swarms continue to keep moving in.
Why we Want Relaxed Bees
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eliminating the stress bees face is very beneficial to their health, ability to produce large amounts of honey, and overall survival. Here are some t...
Servant Beekeeping Exposed
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I finally figured it out, hence this bonus podcast. If you are one of the few, here's the link to more information on the class. Remember the discou...
What do I do with the Warre Swarm Hive?
19 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two months ago, a swarm moved into a Warre hive. It is exploding with bees. What should I do this late in the season? Here's the link to the class...
Hot Days and The Bees are Reducing their Entrance
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have reduced entrances on all of our hives. It's one of those rules that has helped them survive. But now at night, we see them reducing their en...
Collecting Honey and Dealing with the Heat
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As I look for a bit of honey, several new findings emerge. Bees move honey around the hive so the queen can lay eggs and a steady flow of nectar desp...
Hives Exploding
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With all these hives and bees, I'm not sure what to do next. Here's a farm update and some ideas on the summer splits.
Summer Walk-Away Splits
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Looking at how to select the hives to split again and why it's a good idea.
Nova Scotia Bee House has Bees
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Transferring a nuc into a standard hive within the beehouse was an enjoyable experience—updates on this new project and a beekeeping myth that i...
Taking the Queen on a Walk Away Split
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maybe things will work out after all.
Time to Leave them Alone
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We take the month of June and refrain from touching our hives. It's tough, as we want to go in and look at things. Here's why we leave them alone wi...
Swarms Move In
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have three different swarms that have chosen to live with us on the farm so far this year. Here are some hive updates and some thoughts about IPM.
Good and Bad Splits Plus a new Live Question and Answer Tonight
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some of my 2 frame splits worked, many did not. What happened, what I did wrong, plus a new question and answer live session tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eas...
Mice Hive Inspection and Farm Update
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happened when I checked out the mouse hive and an update on the progress of our other hives.
The No Look Walk Away Split
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a strategy I use and discovered by accident, that is ideal if you only have a few hives and want a split strategy that only takes a minute or t...
6 Steps to Avoid Dumb Stupid Beekeeping
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It took 150 years for health care professionals to wash their hands between patients. How long will we delay using proven practices to save our bees?...
Is This a Sign of a Strong Hive?
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This morning, the temperature hit -5 C, with a wind chill of -10 C. Yesterday, some bees were flying at 7-9 C. What could this mean?
Help them Live or Let Them Die?
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Under the Darwinian black box selection technique I'm supposed to let them die. But this isn't an easy thing to do. I talk through my thinking on th...
Drone Watch
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's important to watch the hive entrance at this time of year to signal if the hive may be ready for splitting. Here are some of my plans, plus the p...
These Two Strategies Could Really Help Your Bees
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although the research proves that these strategies could help not sure why we don't do them.
2 Frame Nuc's Arrive
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How these 2 frame nuc's will help with sustainability.
The Final Strategy If I were Starting Today
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Possibly the most futuristic, but helpful this strategy would be a no brainer for me to initiate if I were starting with bees today.
This Natural Pest Could Kill Varroa-Special Podcast
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It was talked about some time ago, but should we not consider it today? The other important point is to ask the right questions when investigating th...
Splitting and Reduced Hive Entrances
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here are two more hobby beekeeping strategies I would use if I started today. Splitting twice a year I think is the most important.
93 % Survival So Far and Here's What I think is Happening
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the bees flying at 12 C, it was a good time to assess who had made it. We are at 14 out of 15 hives making it through the winter so far, and her...
Picking that First Hive and the Goal of Sustainability
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I discuss the importance of knowing the type of hive you are getting to start your beekeeping career and some beginning steps for setting your goal of...
Why Hobby Beekeeping?
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It was time for a name change to bring us all together to share regardless of how we keep bees. Here's the short explanation of why the name change.
With 80% to 100% of Bees Dead What can we Do?
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Commercial beekeepers report this number of losses as they attempt to pollinate almonds in California. What is happening with those of us keeping bees...
Bees are Dying and Two Strategies for Beginning Beekeepers
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reports have circulated that 80% to 95% of bees have died. What could be causing this? What are the first two strategies for beginning beekeepers?
Top 10 Beginner Beekeeper Tips
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If I were starting today, here are the 10 things I would do to help my bees survive. I made all these mistakes, hoping you can avoid those as you get...
Will it Take 100 more Years to Save our Bees?
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It took 100 years or more for healthcare providers to wash their hands between seeing each patient routinely. When there are new findings in our beeke...
AI Tool Now Open for Iphone Videos
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pleased to announce that the app available at aibeehealth.ca is now available for use with Iphone and cell phone pictures or video.
Stop Doing This and Increase Your Honey Production
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The science is precise. If we stop opening our hives down to 4 times a year, we can increase honey production by 9 kgs. How can we start to do that?
Last Chance to Sign Up for our AI Tool
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We launch tomorrow, Monday January 20 at 8:00 a.m. EST. It is your last chance to sign up to be on the wait list and have access tomorrow. Join the ...
Easy Way to Monitor Hives in the Winter
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How I monitor my beehive survival without leaving the house.
Learning from Winter Flights
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Winter flights can teach us a lot. Here's a strategy for learning about your hive health without a winter opening.
New Year's Honeybee Lessons
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While bees teach us many things about their hives and nature, they also provide many life lessons. Here's is what I'm reflecting on that the bees hav...
Are We Spoiling our Bees
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A look at everything we try to do to help our bees. But are we spoiling them? Are we contributing to their failure?
Some 55% of hives Lost by October But I'm So Optimistic about 2025
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I'm hearing up to 65% of hives have been lost in North America by October of this year. What are some thoughts and why am I so optimistic for 2025.
Should We Stop Feeding Surgar Syrup?
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My dad fed bees sugar syrup, and I did the same for my first few years of beekeeping. Now, with the new science on how that can harm bees and humans, ...
November and Lots going On
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Drones being purged, bees with pollen and much more. I don't really understand this.
Fanning Mystery Solved
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's cold outside and not that warm in the hive so why are these bees fanning? This new strategy to fight mites might be the answer.
Join the Waitlist for our Free AI Tool
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are weeks away from our launch and are opening a wait list for those wishing to use it. At launch it will count bees in pictures or a video you dow...
Winter Prep and Some Post Thanksgiving Tid Bits
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Got on the tractor a bit today and also continuing to work on the AI platform. Some thoughts as we hunker down for winter.
Why Count Bees
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I discuss why we count bees, bees with pollen, drones, and wasps at the hive's entrance. I also briefly discuss the challenges of using AI to evaluate...
Survivor Hive Traits
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Going into the fourth year with this genetics treatment free, here are some of the characteristics starting to make sense.
AI Update
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are a week or so away from launching and here is the update.
What a Mess Swarm Hive Robbed
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A surprise find turned out to be another lesson in the brutal ways of nature. What happened and how this may be helpful to our other hives.
Why do we see Orientation Flights in late October?
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I have no idea. Perhaps you have an explanation. We expect deep freezes in a few weeks at night so not sure if there is a reason to need more forage...
Drone Purge Day
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just like the movie I guess, yesterday October 18 was Drone Purge day. What could have triggered this sudden purging of drones? Here are my thoughts...
Is Fall Pollen Necessary for Strong Winter Bees?
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After watching our bees bring in pollen yesterday, I took a look at the science to answer this question. You might be surprised what I found.
Will You Help Us with this New Free AI Tool?
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In two weeks, I'll be beta-testing our new platform to analyze honeybee activity at the entrances to a hive from pictures or video clips. Here's how ...
New Easy Way to Build Hives and help Them Survive
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This new project for 2025 is based on our work and others in beekeeping. I will only open the hive twice during the year, making it very much a hands...
Servant Beekeeping Example of 3 Hive Entrances
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We spend a great deal of time watching the entrances to our hives. Here are 3 examples of different activity. What do you think is going on? We wil...
Valuable Drones in September
15 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here is why we believe drones will be very valuable in September. What do You think?
Stinky Goldenrod and Other Farm News
08 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can smell it, and it's supposed to be good for you. What could this goldenrod surplus mean for the bees?
Washboarding Explained and Why Honey bound Hives are a Good Thing
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I take on the mystery of wash boarding and explain why I want my hives to be honey-bound this time of year.
Farm and Nova Scotia Updates
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Checkup on the farm and our research findings.
Weed Police Decision
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a long battle to balance the need to convert the farm to nature with the constant complaints from Agent Orange farmers. Here's the solution...
Is Splitting and Infrared Treatment Free?
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I think so and here's why.
Very Late Season Split
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this little experiment did a walk-away split into a 5 frame nuc with a Russian Hive. I have a feeling this just might work.
Farm Summary for July
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here's an update on how the hives are doing.
5 Queen Cells on One Frame This Works
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The 2 frame nuc idea for queen rearing was an initial hit. It is a hybrid walkaway technique I guess, where I placed one frame of eggs and brood in a...
What Does Pollen Coming in Tell you About Hive Health
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If pollen is coming into your hive does that mean your hive is healthy? Maybe yes maybe no. Here is the discussion.
Queen Castle and 2 Frame Nucs
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Looking at trying the Queen Castle for the first time and with following boards creating 2 frame nucs. First time trying this, but hoping it will red...
July 6 Hive Updates
06 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After a few delays I was able to get out and have a look at the hives. Here is the report for July 6.
Summer Split Experiment
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can the 2 frame Nuc help our bees create better queen cells? I discuss upcoming research on trying to see if there is a way to use the 2 frame nucs t...