Package bee installation is one of the most common ways new beekeepers start a colony, and in this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to share practical, experience-based approaches to getting packages established successfully.

As spring arrives, Jim opens with a familiar situation—ordering packages after winter losses, only to find more colonies survived than expected. That leads into a broader discussion of why packages remain a popular entry point for beginners, offering a slower and more manageable buildup compared to nucs or splits.

The conversation explores different installation techniques, including Jim's "slow release" method, where bees exit the package on their own rather than being shaken into the hive. Anne adds perspective from working with customers and emphasizes how critical proper feeding is during early spring, when cold conditions can quickly lead to starvation even when food is present.

They also discuss queen cage management, including how long to wait before release and how to safely introduce the queen without risking loss. Along the way, they share real-world stories that highlight how small setup mistakes—especially around feeding and placement—can have significant consequences.

Throughout the episode, Jim and Anne reinforce a key message: successful package bee installation depends on attention to detail, timing, and understanding bee behavior. This is part one of a two-part conversation, setting up a deeper dive into package management in the next episode.

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies.

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew reflects on the contrast between light and darkness—both in beekeeping and in life.

Recorded in the bee yard on a meaningful personal day, Jim shares a quiet, thoughtful conversation that begins with remembrance and transitions into observation. As spring unfolds and colonies build, he considers one of the enduring mysteries of honey bees: how they function so effectively within the complete darkness of the hive.

Jim explores how bees move between two radically different environments—bright sunlight during foraging and total darkness inside the colony. Without relying on vision, bees navigate, communicate, care for brood, and construct comb using tactile senses, pheromones, and behavioral cues. He raises questions about how much we truly understand about these processes and what remains hidden from observation.

The discussion expands to consider how beekeepers themselves affect this environment. Opening a hive introduces sudden light into a space where developing bees have never experienced it. Jim reflects on whether this disruption has consequences—drawing on past advice about protecting young larvae from direct sunlight—and wonders what other subtle effects might go unnoticed.

Along the way, Jim connects these ideas to broader reflections on nature, including other creatures that live in darkness and even the unseen workings within the human body. The episode closes with thoughts on the beauty of spring, the resilience of bees, and the value of simply sitting in the apiary and observing.

This episode is less about answers and more about curiosity—inviting listeners to consider what we don't yet understand about honey bees and the world they inhabit.

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies.

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey for a wide-ranging discussion on nucleus colonies, wax production, and the practical realities of working with smaller hives.

The conversation begins with a focus on nucs as both a management tool and a learning platform. Anne suggests that beginners may benefit from maintaining not just two full colonies, but also a nuc—providing flexibility for making splits, building comb, and maintaining backup resources such as queens and brood. Jim expands on this idea, noting that nucs are often easier to handle, less intimidating, and allow beekeepers to observe bee biology more closely.

From there, the discussion turns to wax production—one of the most fascinating and often overlooked aspects of honey bee behavior. Jim and Anne explore how bees convert incoming nectar or sugar into wax, highlighting the conditions that stimulate wax secretion, including strong nectar flows and colony crowding. They also discuss the commonly cited—but often misunderstood—relationship between honey consumption and wax production.

A particularly engaging portion of the episode focuses on "whiting" (or "icing")—the appearance of fresh, white wax along frame edges and top bars. This visual cue signals active wax production and often indicates that additional space or supers are needed.

Throughout the episode, Jim and Anne reflect on the balance between scientific understanding and practical experience. While research provides valuable insights, much of beekeeping knowledge still comes from observation, experimentation, and time in the bee yard.

This episode captures the curiosity and hands-on learning that define beekeeping, especially when working with nucs and watching bees build comb in real time.

______________________

Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies.

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC