Episode 177 – The Bee Buzz (29): Drone Comb, Plastic Foundation & Late-Season Hive Tips 🐝

In this Bee Buzz episode I answer listener questions about using drone comb to reduce Varroa without chemicals, getting bees to accept plastic foundation, managing weak colonies before winter, handling late season queen loss, and how to think about brood frames, pollen patties, and uncapped nectar as the season winds down.

What’s Inside This Episode:

How drone comb helps pull Varroa mites out of the colonyWays to coat or prep plastic foundation for better acceptanceWhen to combine weak colonies before winter hitsWhat to do if your colony goes queenless late in the yearWhy removing unused brood boxes saves energy and stressWhen pollen patties hurt more than they helpHow to move honey frames safely between coloniesWhy genetics beat feeding when it comes to overwintering success

Why Listen to This Episode?

It’s a practical Bee Buzz packed with seasonal advice, field experience, and honest talk about what really works when prepping hives for winter.

More Info:

🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org

☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5 % podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.

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