From a Varroa-free outpost off Australia’s southern coast, beekeeper Shawn Hinves of Kangaroo Island shares how a family operation running 350 hives of pure Ligurian honey bees navigates biosecurity, fire recovery, and the realities of modern beekeeping.

The episode opens with practical fall prep—feed heavy in cold climates, consider insulation, and always test and treat for mites—before diving into global news on the EPA’s approval of an RNA-based Varroa treatment.

Then we travel to Kangaroo Island, where strict ferry inspections, proposed wash-down stations, and community vigilance aim to keep Varroa off the island, reminding every beekeepers that compliance is as vital as any tool in beekeeping.

Shawn recounts how Ligurian honey bees, introduced in the 1880s and protected by a long-standing sanctuary designation, show exceptional hygienic behavior and thrive on native eucalypt and coastal flora that produce ambers, deep reds, and even mauve-tinged honeys.

After catastrophic 2020 bushfires slashed honey yields from 20–25 tonnes to 5–9, his business survived by diversifying into tours —proof that resilient beekeeping pairs craft with entrepreneurship. Listeners step inside his hands-on experiences: suiting up, holding frames, spotting queens, and watching honey bees emerge—moments that turn fear into fascination and often inspire future beekeepers.

Between small hive beetle scares, localized AFB management, and ongoing drought, Sean’s story shows how a beekeeper balances biosecurity, landscape, and community. Ultimately, it’s a love letter to honey bees, a testament to the lifestyle they enable, and a reminder that beyond honey and money, the heart of beekeeping is connection.

Video Version: https://youtu.be/2sfG2QBzXQI

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

Eric@BeeLoveBeekeeping.com

https://www.kilivinghoney.com.au/

Opening was recorded at Apimondia in Copenhagen. This episode blends field notes and a feel-good interview with Elsa Gallagher of the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund.

Practical beekeeping takeaways: habitat is the foundation for bees, and forage diversity consistently outperforms monocultures.

Gallagher explains how her team equips landowners with locally adapted seed mixes: a native “picture” bordered by a clover-rich “bee mix,” free for 2–25 acre projects and cost-share above that. She outlines city and campus pathways, from park strips to roadside plantings, stressing the power of local champions.

For small yards, the advice is simple: mow less, overseed Dutch white clover, reduce pesticides, and plant bloom succession—willows in spring, clovers and phacelia in summer, sunflowers and asters in fall.

Monarch support is easy too: add common or swamp milkweed; the butterflies find it.

We also discuss pesticide realities, mosquito spraying, and why building habitat reduces chemical dependence over time.

Whether you run two hives or a commercial yard, this conversation centers love of bees, resilient beekeeping, and healthier landscapes for every honey bee. and beyond.

It's all about having fun while we learn about beekeeping and sharing the love of honey bees!

Video Version: https://youtu.be/yE7KGAFg6IE

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

Eric@BeeLoveBeekeeping.com

https://www.beeandbutterflyfund.org/

"It was sheer panic!" That's how Amber explains her wild & crazy beekeeping story.

In this episode of Bee Love Beekeeping, we open with a poetic ode to honeybees and a couple of “beekeeper bloopers,” then sit down with Amber Leach, North American Sales Manager at Veto-Pharma.

We dig into Varroa Integrated Pest Management (IPM): why testing before and after treating matters, how to avoid resistance through rotation and correct use, and what’s new in Apivar 2.0.

Amber breaks down Varroa EasyCheck (alcohol wash, sugar roll, CO₂), shares high-altitude lessons from 7,500 ft, and explains why commercial beekeepers treat mite management like a business decision.

We wrap with winter-prep priorities, a humbling bee sting story, and practical, step-by-step fall beekeeping checklists.

It's all about having fun while we learn about beekeeping and sharing the love of honey bees!

Chapters

• 00:00 – Cold open: a honeybee’s harmony
• 01:22 – Welcome + fall Varroa reality check
• 01:56 – Beekeeper bloopers: honey-soaked suit & the hose trap; “bees sense fear”
• 03:57 – Guest intro: Amber Leach
• 06:32 – Veto Pharma’s focus: testing → treatment for Varroa
• 07:48 – Varroa EasyCheck: alcohol, sugar, CO₂—how/why to use each
• 09:39 – Habits, misuse, and how resistance happens (human factors)
• 12:16 – Amitraz & Apivar: role, history, and resistance nuance
• 14:24 – Apivar 2.0: formulation changes, faster profile, handling, no withholding
• 15:46 – Storage & correct application basics
• 16:04 – Ad break: Mann Lake honey harvest essentials
• 17:09 – Packages/nucs: don’t assume mite-free; questions to ask
• 20:28 – High-altitude beekeeping & the power of journaling
• 22:02 – Winter prep priorities: mites first; food & windbreaks
• 24:24 – Amber’s “hot hive” sting story (panic isn’t a plan)
• 28:58 – What hobbyists can borrow from commercial keepers: treat it like a business
• 31:53 – Case study: high counts + slow-release treatment expectations
• 34:56 – Start early (July!), be consistent, and retest
• 35:49 – Wrap-up, contacts, and sponsor thanks

Video Version: https://youtu.be/dG35F1qUDDg

__________________

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

Eric@BeeLoveBeekeeping.com

Amber: info@veto-pharma.com https://www.veto-pharma.com/