Episodes

In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, host Eric Bennett sits down with Joshua Diggins, a Florida beekeeper, Navy veteran, and branch manager for Mann Lake. Josh shares fascinating insights on how submarines and beehives are surprisingly similar. Before the interview, Eric highlights the mental health benefits of beekeeping, from reducing stress and anxiety to helping veterans and those with PTSD find mindfulness, connection, and purpose. Beekeeping programs have been used successfully in priso...

Welcome to the first full video episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, presented by Mann Lake! If you prefer to consume video versions of podcasts, you'll find us our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BeeLoveBeekeeping and video of this episode at https://youtu.be/lgdeWybgefk In this special debut, host Eric Bennett chats with one of the most beloved figures in the beekeeping community, Jeff Horchoff, better known as Mr. Ed. Jeff is a Louisiana beekeeper, YouTube personality with over 150,000...

In this special episode of Bee Love Beekeeping , we take a step away from our usual beekeeper interviews to explore an important and sometimes misunderstood topic: the relationship between honeybees and native bees. With headlines circulating like “Americans Are Saving the Wrong Bees” and “Honeybee Invasion,” it’s time to dig deeper into the science and separate fact from fear. Are honeybees really hurting native bees, or is the truth more nuanced? To help us answer that, we’re joined by Jennife...

"Bees in the pants is never fun!" You'll find this, and other fun & enlightening quotes, in this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping. Host, Eric Bennett, welcomes experienced beekeeper John Stephens for a deep dive into a simplified, yet highly effective, approach to hive management— the single deep brood box system . But before we get to the honey and science, the show kicks off with a chuckle-worthy parody segment: “You Might Be a Beekeeper,” a hilarious twist on Jeff Foxworthy’s classic routine. W...

Where does the world's best tasting honey come from? How is it made? In this episode of Be Love Beekeeping, we kick it all off with another round of "why you might be a beekeeper," followed by a strange story about purple honey. Our guest is Virginia Webb, renowned for producing the world's best tasting honey. Virginia shares her insights on honey production, highlighting the significance of nectar sources like sourwood trees, and her multiple certifications in beekeeping. We discuss her winning...

In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping we have the pleasure of going all the way to New Zealand to have a discussion with a beekeeper who doesn't like honey! What?! Sarah Cross lives and takes care of her honey bees in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand. She actually started her career managing 250 hives, but now is more into education, hive management, consulting, and writing about bees. We discuss Manuka honey, varroa, IPM, and Sarah's favorite wild & crazy beekeeping moments. Above all else, she rec...

What happens when a truck, carrying 300 beehives, rolls off the side of the road? Mass chaos, bewildered law enforcement, stings... and a few heroic beekeepers. This is what happened recently in norther Washington State. Our guest on this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping is Derek Condit, just one of the rescuers who helped save those millions of honey bees, and restore some order to the scene. The details are fascinating! In this episode, we also get a brief synopsis of the great bee die-off of...

NEWS FLASH: Research results on the 2025 American honey bee die off! The results can help every beekeeper. Then we go to the great white north for a discussion with Raylynn White from Bee Haven to discuss beekeeping in Newfoundland - the unique challenges posed by the local climate and the successful avoidance of Varroa mites. She highlights her innovative work in correctional facilities, where she teaches inmates about beekeeping, fostering mindfulness and respect. Rae Lynn also emphasizes the ...

What is beekeeping like in Nigeria? It must be different, and certainly there are some similarities and much to be learned. Our guest in this episode is Mr. Osita Anumene who runs Slasita Farm and apiary near Abuja, Nigeria. We will talk about their aggressive bees, the types of hive designs they use, bee forage, and honey production. We learn their techniques for catching swarms, and of course top it all of with a wild & crazy beekeeping story or two. Why harvest honey at night? Find out in...

Beekeeping with the kids; it can be fun and safe! Our guest on this episode is hobby beekeeper, Cindy Elsenbeck from New York, USA. She loves her honey bees and loves sharing her passion with her grandchildren. She discusses the importance of overcoming fears associated with bees, the role of protective gear, and the educational value of observation hives. Cindy also highlights the special bond she has developed with her granddaughters through beekeeping, sharing fun stories and valuable lesson...

John's first day with honey bees was working for a commercial beekeeper pulling honey frames. From the 'not real Jeff Foxworthy,' to a lengthy wild & crazy beekeeping story that includes the in-laws, to John's beekeeping journey, this episode has it all! We discuss the annual calendar of working for a commercial beekeeper, queen rearing, advice for future beekeepers, techniques for raising queens, different varroa treatments. Did I mention the story about splitting 700 colonies, all with extreme...

Are you a sideline beekeeper who hasn't yet exhausted all possible income streams from your honey bees? This episode features our discussion with Connecticut beekeeper, Ryan Griffeth of Neckers Farm. Ryan is a full-time beekeeper caring for upwards of 500 colonies. One of the focuses of his business is honey bee management for clients in the New York and Connecticut area. We discuss everything from varroa management to bee rescues, foraging for mushrooms to catching bee swarms in the dark. Ry...

The 'Not Real Jeff Foxworthy' is in rare form to open this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping and letting you know why YOU might be a beekeeper. We discuss microplastics and the role they may play in the current bee die-off in the U.S. Then we head to Athens, GA for a discussion with beekeeper, Dan Long. We talk about everything from queen rearing, to 3D printing, to yellow legged hornets. It's all about having fun while we learn about beekeeping and sharing the love of honey bees! ______________ ...

Richard Wahl is our featured guest on this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping. Richard writes a monthly column for Bee Culture Magazine and this month's was titled, "Observations At The Hive Entrance." Our discuss includes bee behavior, fanning, guard bees, cleansing flights, undertaker bees, orientation flights, robbing activity, swarming, and the simple joy of observing your honey bees at their hive entrance. Richard treats us to an unusual 'wild & crazy' beekeeping story, and the Not Real Jeff F...

In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, we take a deep dive into everything involved in splitting honey bee colonies. Why split, when to split, and how to split. We are joined by Frank Licata, a sideline beekeeper with decades of experience. He discusses different times to make splits and various methods, including his favorite, the simple shake-down split. In this episode we also discuss making NUCS, honey bee fun facts, and learn whether or not we might be beekeepers by the 'Not Jeff Foxwort...

This episode features an interview with David Westervelt and Bo Sterk from the non-profit, Bees Beyond Borders. We have fun discussing their work with underprivileged beekeepers in various Caribbean locations. They provide education, equipment, and sometimes even honey bees for these people. Also on this episode, we hear from the Not Real Jeff Foxworthy about why YOU might be a beekeeper, honey bee Fun Facts, and a whole lot more! It's all about having fun while we learn about beekeeping and sha...

How can honey bee venom, honey and other hive products help with our health and wellness? On this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping we learn all about the health benefits of products from the hive. Our guest is Vermont beekeeper and apitherapy expert, Ross Conrad. Ross discusses his beekeeping adventure in Vermont. Then we dive into an informative discussion about the benefits of raw honey, propolis, royal jelly, pollen, bee venom, and even 'bee air.' This is an informative episode that will help...

In this episode, we're joined by Paulo Mielgo and David Westervelt from Vita Bee Health. Our discussion is focused on varroa testing and treatment for honey bees. We discuss the pros and cons of Apiguard, Apistan, and the new VarroxSan oxalic acid strips. "Resistance" build up is always an issue with treating for varroa as they build up a resistance to specific chemicals over time, necessitating the rotation of different treatments. Beekeepers know that it's not so much the mites, as the virus...

In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping we explore everything related to single brood chamber management, including the Demaree method. Our interview features George Datto and Nat Wolfe from The Keeper's Hive. They are experts in Demaree beekeeping and have invented a new hive design that makes it easy, with less lifting of heavy boxes. The show kicks off with more fun from the Not Real Jeff Foxworthy and bees in the news from around the world. It's all about having fun while we learn about beek...

The Not Real Jeff Foxworthy is back with all new material, much of it sent in by our listeners! Our featured guest on this episode is Jenna Prososki, Director of Sales & Marketing, Mann Lake. We discuss the essentials of spring beekeeping, feeding bees, dead-outs, the importance of testing and treating for mites, and much more! Learn about wax-dipped woodenware, how to know if you're buying quality equipment, Mann Lake's history, and new beekeeping products. Of course we top if off with a coupl...

Heard any good honey bee 'dad jokes' lately? We start off with more of those than you could ever want :) Then we travel to Switzerland to have a discussion with 4th generation beekeeper, Pascal Brunner. His company, Life Hive, has created a chemical-free treatment for varroa mites using heat in a hi-tech way. We also discuss beekeeping in Switzerland, personal joys of beekeeping, and end with a wild & crazy beekeeping story. Beekeeping and the beekeepers, it's all about he love of honey bees!...

On this episode we learn about a fun new beekeeping product in development, an electric smoker that works as easy as the push of a button. Our guest is Michael Erpenbeck from Technically Beekeeping. We discuss beekeeping in the Chicago area, new inventions for beekeepers, wild & crazy beekeeping stories, and much more! In our bees in the news section, we discuss a new study that highlights the dangers of fertilizers to honey bees and other pollinators. Also discussed, apiaries in solar power far...

Our guest on this episode is Chris Hiatt, commercial beekeeper and past president of the American Honey Producers Association. The topic of conversation is this winter's severe colony loss, especially with commercial beekeepers. We discuss the amount of losses, possible causes and prevention techniques. Other topics include the annual schedule of commercial beekeepers, the love of honey bees and the business, a wild & crazy beekeeping story, plus much much more. Beekeeping and the beekeepers, i...

The U.S. is experiencing "Sudden and Severe Losses" to honey bee colonies, anywhere from 50% - 100%. Is it time to panic? In today's episode we discuss those bee losses, hear some wild & crazy beekeeping stories, and have a discussion with James Wheeldon, a beekeeper in Warblington, Hampshire, England. We also learn about James' new charity organization, Beekeeping For Hope. It's a way for beekeepers to give back through donating a small portion of their honey harvest to people around the worl...