Hobby Beekeeping

Henry J. Svec

Hobby Beekeeping is a podcast about learning from bees. Hosted by retired psychologist and beekeeper Hank Svec, each episode explores practical beekeeping, hive entrance observations, bee research, and the questions that arise from simply spending time with bees. Rather than focusing only on techniques, the podcast looks at what bees may be teaching us through careful observation. Topics include the Three-Hive Method, hive survival, swarming, AI-assisted entrance monitoring, equipment, research, and conversations with beekeepers from beginners to experienced professionals. If we watch the bees long enough without touching them, they tell us something.

  1. 4 days ago

    Re-Discovering the Joy of Beekeeping and a New Hive Survival Predictor?

    The Hive Entrance Monitoring has revealed a stunning discovery. At night, some hives narrow or shut down their entrances while others do not. The second finding is that as soon as there is light, some hives break it up and return to normal quickly, while others take more time. Is this a sign of hive health or failure? I also discuss how my new way to be with bees is bringing me incredible hobby beekeeping joy.

  2. 6 Jul

    Coping with Heat can We Help Them?

    Thoughts on the heat, missed treatment because of it as well as thoughts on perhaps missing a survivor hive?

  3. 29 Jun

    First Mite Treatment

    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 fun.

  4. 17 Jun

    Hobby Beekeeping with 3 Hives

    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?

  5. 14 Jun

    Why would a Swarm Pick this Home?

    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?

  6. 7 Jun

    Swarms Arriving

    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.

  7. 1 Jun

    Could this Oxalic Acid treatment be the fix?

    In looking at helping the bees I realized that the ApiLiveVar is open to heat issues. So what about this new oxalic acid treatment? Is it helpful for hobbybeekeeping?

  8. 23 May

    This One Thing could have Saved my Bees

    This Science has been around for over 30 years, but this way to help honeybees with natural organic compounds wasn't something I talked about. I simply didn't know. I feel pretty stupid, but I am going to change what I do in this one important way. You may think about doing it too.

See All (271)

About

Hobby Beekeeping is a podcast about learning from bees. Hosted by retired psychologist and beekeeper Hank Svec, each episode explores practical beekeeping, hive entrance observations, bee research, and the questions that arise from simply spending time with bees. Rather than focusing only on techniques, the podcast looks at what bees may be teaching us through careful observation. Topics include the Three-Hive Method, hive survival, swarming, AI-assisted entrance monitoring, equipment, research, and conversations with beekeepers from beginners to experienced professionals. If we watch the bees long enough without touching them, they tell us something.

Information

  • Creator
    Henry J. Svec
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    271
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 by Henry J. Svec
  • Show Website
    Hobby Beekeeping

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