Swarms Move In

Swarms Move In

Author: Henry J. Svec May 25, 2025 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.

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
Should We Stop Feeding Surgar Syrup? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
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, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's time to stop this practice.
November and Lots going On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:52
Drones being purged, bees with pollen and much more. I don't really understand this.
Fanning Mystery Solved [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:30
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:16
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 download of up to 15 seconds in length for bees, bees with pollen and dro…
Why Count Bees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:25
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 varroa mites.
Survivor Hive Traits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:58
Going into the fourth year with this genetics treatment free, here are some of the characteristics starting to make sense.
AI Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:57
We are a week or so away from launching and here is the update.
What a Mess Swarm Hive Robbed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:40
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? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:30
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 foragers. Here are some ideas.