Hobby Beekeeping

Survivor Hive Update

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I didn't think these two hives would survive with just a handful of bees coming out of winter. What a pleasant surprise and perhaps some traits we ne...

2 Queens in One Hive?

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This was a surprise.

What is Treatment Free Beekeeping

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This topic has caused a great deal of conflict between beekeepers and the general public. How do I define it, how do you?

Russian Queens Have Arrived

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A look at preparations for the new strain of bees and a farm update.

Queen Discoveries Part 2

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this second podcast on this topic, I discuss how queens lay different eggs based on environmental situations and what that means to our usual pract...

This Could Change Everything

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It appears that queens change the type and size of their eggs based on environmental conditions. It also appears to be true that queens lay different ...

2024 Projects on The Farm

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's a busy time as we organize the research projects for the year. Survivor hives are still hanging on but not sure they will make it.

Why Not Russian Bees

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the United States since 1997 and Canada since 2000, Russian Bees are reported to be resistent to mites and other diseases. Is it time to add them ...

Vaccinated Queens Treatment Free?

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I take a look at this new opportunity to introduce new bees to the farm. Would you consider them to be treatment free?

Hive and Farm Update

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Things are getting close for splits, the wildflowers and clover thriving.

Beekeeping Censorship

06 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Censorship appears to be alive and well in the Beekeeping Industry. Here are the three types of censorship we face and some strategies to help.

Turning One Hive into Twelve?

30 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast I review the book by Mel Disselkoen and his OTS Queen Rearing Technique. It's a must read for those wanting to better understand ways...

Make Your Hives Fail

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inversion is a term popularized by Charlie Munger the great investor from Berkshire Hathaway. You look at a problem by going in reverse. Instead of ...

Hives Did Not Survive

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's a sad day to accept that 80% of your hives didn't make it. What caused this and what to do next.

Hive Beetles and Other Stuff

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A brief discussion on the hive beetle life cycle and other happenings around the farm.

What is Treatment Free Beekeeping?

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the goal not the process. Is it ok to use treatments for mites when you get started? It may surprise you to know that many successful strategie...

Name Change Explanation and What do Your Bees have to Eat

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bee's are often placed for reasons that have nothing to do with the food available within a 2 mile circumfrence of their home. Maybe this idea could h...

Mite Grooming in February?

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Something strange is going on in the hive. Bees are carrying out some objects that look like mites. I discuss this rare event as well as updates on ...

February and 70 Degrees In Canada

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What impact will this have on the bees and I look at planning hives for this year.

7th Generation Beekeeping

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some 900 or so years ago, Aborginal cultures began making decisions based on the outcome that would impact their people and planet, some 7 generations...

Do we Really Need Queen Excluders?

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As I prepare for this coming year, I wonder if queen excluders are harmful or helpful to bees. I know they seem to help with the honey harvest. What...

Should you Winter Feed Your Bees?

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It can be a tough decision if you think your bees are running out of food because of the cold weather. What should we do?

3 Types of Beekeeping

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us today want to help natural bees, honeybees and nature. Here is a breakdown of the 3 different types of beekeeping that likely you are doing...

Transplanting Gut Microbes from Autistic Humans into Honeybees

07 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this recently released study, I discuss the incredible finding of what happens to honeybees when microbiota from children with autism is placed in ...

3000 Treatment Free Beekeepers in the UK

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Raising bees without treating them for mites has been happening for many years in the UK. Over 3,000 beekeepers and counting. What a great discovery...

Drone Mystery Solved

24 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For years I've been trying to understand how new drones know where to go to be able to find a drone congregation area and hook up with queens. This r...

Why Larger Hives may Fail

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This latest research points to the fact that if we have booming hives in the spring or even fall they are more likely to fail when compared to weak or...

Can This Mental Health Model Save the Bees?

10 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We were able to complete our first research paper and through our experience and the science, this new model is born. I explain it a bit and urge you...

A Simple Strategy to Help Your Bees Survive

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's simple to do but most of us don't do it. How this strategy is guarantted to help you increase your hive survival.

How Treating Mites could be Killing Your Bees

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pesticides in and outside of your hives impact hive survival. This latest research and our farm experience help explain the problem.

Robbers Kill Hives

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the extended warm fall, the stronger bees are taking down the weaker. Here's my discussion of this part of nature that is tough to watch.

Death of Our Video Hive

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The hostile takeover in late summer has lead to the death of this hive. What do you think?

This Vaccine Idea is Nuts

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Vaccinate your bees? Why do we follow these stupid ideas and just fall into line. As early as 1999 a solution was found to Foul Brood. Stop the madn...

Stop Opening Your Hives in the Fall

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all do this but likely we are hurting our bees. Also, why aren't more beekeepers using this simple technique to help with winter survival?

If Treating for Mites Hurts Bees Why do we Do It?

22 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I take a look at the peer reviewed literature that all seems to point in the same direction. Treating bees for mites might kill the mites but also ha...

Trying to Understand Livestock Beekeeping

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From acid treatments to mite strips back to back, I'm trying to understand the business of Livestock beekeeping. it's not easy but we have to try to ...

10 Lessons as a Servant Beekeeper

08 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a great time of the year to look back and get clear on what I've learned from our project thus far. Some pretty surprising but common sense strat...

Brood Fight Mites

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In an amazing discovery scientists have discovered that honeybees develop traits to fight mites while in capped brood. In this podcast I discuss this ...

One Beehive Year equals 500 Human Years

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This fact propels the evolutionary impact of how different strains of bees if left alone will adapt to the environmental strain they are facing. We hu...

Weed Police Threaten Violence

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This one is hard to believe. What would you do?

3 Signs of a Healthy Hive

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You don't need to open your hive to see if they are healthy. Here are 3 simple signs your hive is doing well.

Message to Our Australian Friends fighting Mites

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm hoping these few ideas could help in the fight to stop some of the rediculous government ideas.

This Could Save Your Hive

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's not cold or mites that is the greatest risk to kill your bees this winter. Learn how we use this tool to help with that battle.

Bees Living in an Environmental War Zone

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm amazed the bees survive. It truly is an environmental mess.

Maybe It's Not Climate Change That's Hurting our Bees

20 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A different look at what might be damaging our honeybees and natural pollinators.

Copter Spraying and Weed Police Updates

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a busy couple of days. Good news for us on the helicopter spraying so far and weed police updates.

Updates and Farm News

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The weed police complainer is identified and more farm news.

Hive Sounds Tell us So Many Things

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From depression, to happiness to aggression, do bees tell us how they feel with their sound?

Weed Police Updates and Farm News

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No cutting or spraying yet as we head to an appeal.

Weed Police Threaten to Destroy our 2 Million Bee Habitat

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yup we are at it again. Can't believe this but listen to the story of what we are going to do. Could I end up in Jail?

Censorship and Politics at Treatment Free Beekeeping

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can we just all get along?

Farm Updates

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The video hive swarms and other farm events. Looking to add sheep wool to our winter blankets.

The Mite Problem has been Solved

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I discuss the recent research that proves we have the solution to the mite and disease problem with our bees. I can't believe this is being ign...

Could Honey Bound Hives be a good thing?

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps if we leave the bees alone, taking a break or swarming due to the hive being full of honey could help with mites. Here's my thinking.

Forest Fire Smoke Impacting the Bees

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are in a haze from the smoke and while the bees are still working they seem off as most humans are today. Also updates on the status of this ...

Farm Updates and more Comments on Livestock Beekeeping

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More swarms and farm developments with a discussion on livestock beekeeping. Maybe it's natural, or livestock beekeeping and nothing in the middle?

5 Swarms and Counting

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could we have too many bees? Today we picked up our 5th swarm. Now we are actually at 47 hives. What to do now?

We Beekeepers Are Killing Our Bees

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're not doing it on purpose, but it looks like it's not mites, the environment or spray from farms that are killing our bees. We are doing it ourse...

40 Hives and Growing

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Farm updates and next steps on the farm.

Making 16 New Hives

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What a week as I describe how we worked to make 16 new hives on the farm.

Trying to Understand Livestock Beekeeping

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I ask some questions and wonder on the need for more transparency when we buy honey.

Darwinian Black Bee Box Update

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Updates on how we are using this technique on the farm.

7 Keys to Watching a Beehive Entrance

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As Servant Beekeepers we spend a great deal of time watching the entrance to hives. Here are the 7 things to look for when watching your bees.

It's Cold and Wet Outside

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cold wet days means things continue to be delayed. Hope the bees make it.

Spring Split Strategy

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Working out the strategy to split the healthy hives in April.

Tough To Watch Hive Get Destroyed

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's about survival and nature demonstrates how brutal it can be. I know this, so why does it bother me so much?

Hives Blowing Up

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Looks llike the hives are blowing up with bees, but isn't it too early?

Stop the Fake Environmental Stuff

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some thoughts after my 3 days at a world environmental conference. Some well meaning great ideas, but just the same some information on some concerni...

The COVID Lesson for Mite Treatment

26 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The scientists have finally proven that getting covid creates as good or better antibodies than vaccination. A met-analysis funded by the Bill and M...

To Feed or Not to Feed

19 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This time of the year it's common to feed the bees to get them to spring. We have 5, 5 frame nuc's that have survived the winter so far. It's tempti...

It's February and the Bees are Flying

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Summary of a walk around the farm and some concern in that conditions may just be too forgiving.

Invest like a Honeybee

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some updates on the new podcast and spring planning.

Are we Helping or Hurting our Bees?

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast I take a deeper dive into how the beneficial adaptations of worker bees may be passed on to the next generation and how beekeepers may...

What if a Worker Laying Eggs is a Good thing?

25 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you have been following the Wasp Week on Instagram, you will note in the last video, a bee uses the tuck and roll technique to get rid of a wasp. ...

Winter Strategies

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Now that winter is here, how can we continue to watch our bees without disturbing them? My covid experience updates.

November and the Bees are Flying

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Where could they find pollen this time of the year? One hive goes missing. Where could they be?

Don't do This if You Love Your Bees

22 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I really want to do this but I know I can't because it will harm my hives. If you have bees you also likely want to do the same. Here's why you shou...

We Launch our New Website and Free Services

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are excited to be launching our free services including our live web cam, school and parent resources for schools and video library. Check it out ...

2 New Books I'm Writing and a Hive Update

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a brutal task but feeling the need to write a couple of books with Bees as the theme. One of the titles may surprise you.

Farm Walk around the some Dumb Bees

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lots going on around the farm including a hive that decided to build wax comb outside of the hive. Smart bees or just plain dumb.

Saving Weak Hives

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a Servant Beekeeper we don't save weak hives. Here's why.

What would you do?

21 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Helping too much or not enough? You decide.

The Weed Police Are Coming

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast I discuss my interactions with the local weed police who threatened to cut down our honeybee habitat if we didn't. Some hive updates ...

Lots of Stuff from the 24 hour Web Cam

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What have we learned from the 24/7 webcam.

Farm Updates

29 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New Queens arrive and the bees are excited.

What did I do with the Aggressive Hive?

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here's the details on what I did with this hive.

What is Killing Our Bees?

01 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some thoughts after looking at some hives and talking to some beekeepers. Do you really think it's the mites?

Lessons from Failed Hives

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What lessons did we learn from the recent discovery that all of our hives have died.

Farm Updates

27 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Where is spring? Snow on the ground today. Bees must be getting restless.

Bees are starting to Buzz

20 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's about time for the queen to start laying more worker eggs. The temp and humidity sensors are telling us so. I also provide a simple starter mon...

Mid Winter Blues

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is going on in the hive and updates on our live at the hive webcam.

A new Farm Sponsor and Ordering some Saskatchewan Bees

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An update on farm happenings and why I think I need some more diverse genetics.

Over 12,000 Children have Access to our Bee Science Club

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are very excited about the recent interest in our Bee Science Club. I talk about that plus an update on the state of our bees on the farm.

Weeds or Wildflowers?

23 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's a constant battle to try to think of traditional weeds as wildflowers and being good for the bees and nature. I talk through that process and gi...

The Bees Could be Tricking Us

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While I think I have hives that haven't been treated for 2 years flourishing, maybe the bees are just tricking me.

Urgency at the Hives

03 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Bees seem very busy to get the most out of the farm before snow flies. Urgency is everywhere.

Reviewing our Healthy Hives

25 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I do a walk around the farm, talking about our 17 healthy hives as they get ready for winter.

Bees are Packing Their Bags

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bees are more flexible on where they live then we originally believed. This log hive is a perfect example.

Stop Bothering the Bees

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why I have to stop listening to Master beekeeping podcasts.

How do the Bees stay cool doing this?

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I'm not understanding this strage bee behavior during these hot summer days. Can you help me?