We're enjoying a stretch of beautiful weather here in the Peoria area, and that can only mean one thing for beekeepers: false spring temptation.
This week, Steve and Luke talk through what you should (and shouldn't) be doing during these warm February days. When is it smart to crack a lid? When should you leave well enough alone? And how do you avoid setting your colonies back before maples even think about blooming?
Luke also shares a hard lesson from the yard an accident that resulted in a grass fire. What happened, what caused it, and what you can do to avoid the same mistake around your apiary.
Finally, Luke breaks down some of the standout speakers and takeaways from the Midwest Honeybee Expo in Wisconsin. From practical management tips to bigger industry conversations, there was plenty worth bringing back home to Illinois.
If you're staring at your hives in 50-degree weather wondering whether to "just take a quick peek," this episode is for you.
Midwest Honeybee Expo: https://www.midwesthoneybeeexpo.com/
North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY
Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/
How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ
The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/
Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8
Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq
Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc
Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/
Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5
Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/
Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
Ireland