Nova Scotia Bee House has Bees

Nova Scotia Bee House has Bees

Author: Henry J. Svec June 16, 2025 Duration: 18:54
Transferring a nuc into a standard hive within the beehouse was an enjoyable experience—updates on this new project and a beekeeping myth that is hurting our bees.

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: 100

Hobby Beekeeping
Podcast Episodes
Time to Leave them Alone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:10
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 with some split and swarm updates.
Swarms Move In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:58
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.
Mice Hive Inspection and Farm Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:11
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:57
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 two.
6 Steps to Avoid Dumb Stupid Beekeeping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:00
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? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:32
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? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:28
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 this and ask you what would you do?
Drone Watch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:16
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 problem with having a good winter survival rate.