In this week's Podcast: It won’t be long before the early March Sunshine arrives and many beekeepers will start to stress a little, or maybe a lot, over their colonies swarming. The Artificial Swarm is an excellent method of managing this busy time of the season and, actually, it’s a really simple process that sometimes confuses. Hopefully today, I can take the mystery out of the technique for you.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 384 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: I talked about Nosema last week, and it got me thinking about the things I do to give my honeybees the very best opportunity at the start of the new season to produce a lovely crop of honey in the Summer. Let’s kick off with a more detailed look at the Spring Clean.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 383 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: Nosema apis and Nosema Ceranae. Two, spore forming, parasitic Microsporidia! They sound like something of a horror show for our bees and the effects of a heavy infection can be quite damaging. Listen in as I explain what it is, how you can identify it, and ultimately deal with it, so your bees can have a healthy and productive Summer.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 382 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

References: Glavinic U, Blagojevic J, Ristanic M, Stevanovic J, Lakic N, Mirilovic M, Stanimirovic Z. Use of Thymol in Nosema ceranae Control and Health Improvement of Infected Honey Bees. Insects. 2022 Jun 24;13(7):574. doi: 10.3390/insects13070574. PMID: 35886750; PMCID: PMC9319372.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: The past week has been all about the move home. I’m glad to say the office is getting there, but the honey room, well, that’s another story!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 381 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: We have a few weeks yet until the start of the new beekeeping season. How can I make sure this year is as successful for my bees and me as it can possible be? Stay tuned to hear my thoughts and plans.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 380 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: We’ve had some sunny weather for a change, I’ve been able to get out to an Apiary full of nucleus colonies. So this week, as promised, my take on what to look out for if you’re thinking of buying a nucleus colony for the start of the new season.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 379 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: With the recent appearance of snow in our apiaries there’s a belated Christmassy feel to the scene, not that it lasted very long at all for me here in Norfolk. We’ve been feeding warm fondant to some of our nucleus colonies and that’s triggered a social media response, listen in and I’ll explain exactly what I’ve been up to.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 378 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you

Support the show

In this week's Podcast: A very Happy New Year to you all. It's a chilly start to 2026 so I've stayed in the office and figured now would be a good time to spill the beans on my beekeeping plans for the coming year.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 377 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support our main sponsor and advertiser:

Hive Five Multi Guard Entrances

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

Brunel Microscopes - Beekeeper's Equipment here

The Beekeeper's Dictonary on Amazon

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Here are some links to the type of equipment I have discussed in previous podcasts.

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Asian Hornet book by Sarah Bunker

The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet by Andrew Durham

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

• Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
• Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
• Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
• Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
• Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase. This doesn't cost you any more but helps fund my podcast hosting site.

Support the show