My Two Biggest Beekeeping Mistakes and Stinging Nettle for Mite Prevention

My Two Biggest Beekeeping Mistakes and Stinging Nettle for Mite Prevention

Author: Henry J. Svec August 10, 2026 Duration: 16:42
What were the two biggest mistakes I made when I started beekeeping? In this episode, I share two lessons that changed the way I manage my hives. The first is why I now believe an inner cover is essential for managing winter moisture. The second is less about equipment and more about thinking—why having a clear beekeeping philosophy before you begin may be one of the most important decisions you'll make. I also discuss stinging nettle and whether it has a place in mite prevention around the apiary. If you're thinking about keeping bees or you're in your first few years as a beekeeper, this episode may save you from a few of the mistakes I made. My complete online beginner beekeeping course is available for $99, where I cover the 10 biggest mistakes I made, along with hive management, equipment, swarming, queens, seasonal management, and much more. Learn more at: TheThreeHiveMethod.com Bee well.

Henry J. Svec is on a quiet, radical journey, transforming fifty acres of conventional farmland into a thriving wildflower bee sanctuary. In the Hobby Beekeeping podcast, he narrates that process week by week, digging into the hands-on work and the philosophy behind it. A key part of the conversation is his deliberate shift in terminology-he doesn’t call himself a beekeeper, but a bee "helper," a distinction rooted in specific scientific perspectives that guide the entire project. Each episode feels like a candid field report, where Henry explains the latest developments on the land, the reasoning behind various methods, and the ongoing research that informs their approach. This isn't about presenting perfect solutions, but about fostering an open and honest dialogue. The podcast serves as a meeting place for anyone curious about supporting pollinators, where diverse experiences and all aspects of beekeeping practice are welcomed and discussed. You’ll hear the realities of building a business in harmony with nature, the challenges and surprises of ecological restoration, and a deep respect for the complex lives of bees. It’s an educational listen that grounds itself in the dirt and blooms of a real, evolving sanctuary.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Hobby Beekeeping
Podcast Episodes
What Beekeepers can Learn from Successful Investors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:33
It may sound strange, but successful investing is a lot like successful beekeeping. Here are the two key characteristics of successful investing and can you do this with your bees?
Why All the Bees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:07
This time of the year the hives seem to be exploding with bees. As a hobby beekeeper what could this mean and is there anything I should do?
Coping with Heat can We Help Them? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
Thoughts on the heat, missed treatment because of it as well as thoughts on perhaps missing a survivor hive?
First Mite Treatment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:18
Placed the first treatment on the swarm hive today. Took about a minute to do. Nope, didn't do any alcohol wash to kill some bees, just looking for ways to help them. The idea of 3 hives as a hobby beekeeper is a lot of…
Hobby Beekeeping with 3 Hives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:14
This year's project is to see if I can be sustainable with just 3 hives. I have one swarm that moved in, as well as two nucs. Here's the story and the challenges. Will this work?
Why would a Swarm Pick this Home? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:36
As a hobby beekeeper we often have swarms move into our empty hives. This one on the farm is strange to say the least. How do they choose the home and what should I do next?
Swarms Arriving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:30
Swarms are arriving and it's getting to be that time to make decisions on how to work with them. Some ideas and challenges as I move forward with my hobby beekeeping.