In this episode, we cover a few important topics to help you avoid major headaches in your beekeeping journey.

• Why the presence of a queen cell doesn't mean “do a split”
• How to avoid disaster when buying used gear (AFB risks)
• Best practices for moving bees out of swarm traps
• When it's safe to relocate, and how long to wait
• What to ask when picking up a nuc or package
• Why queen age, mite treatment, and egg-laying status matter
• Regional timing differences for splits and trapping

🌐 Website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

📘 Articles & reviews: bestbeekeepinggear.com

🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

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Thinking of doing a walkaway split? Before you divide that colony, hit play. In this episode, we break down why timing is everything — especially as the summer dearth sets in. Inspired by a real listener question, we walk through what a walkaway split is, how it works, and why it might be one of the riskiest moves you can make during a seasonal lull. Learn why your queen might not emerge (or mate), what happens to your workforce while you wait, and why “just because” splits usually backfire.

• What exactly is a walkaway split, and how is it different from other types?
• Why splits are easier (and safer) in the spring
• How long it really takes to go from queenless to new bees
• Why feeding and robbing become serious concerns
• 4 key reasons not to split your colony right now
• How to test drone availability without risking an entire hive
• Why “my mentor said it was a good idea” is not always a green light
• Tips for getting honest, timely advice from experienced beekeepers

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 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 doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

In this episode, we dive into the what, who, when, where, why, and how of honeycomb production. You'll learn how wax gets made, when bees choose to build it, what types of foundation help or hinder that process, and how to manage common comb problems — from burr and brace comb to the dreaded “wonky comb.” We also get into frame spacing habits, foundation color (black vs yellow), and why wax production is all about energy balance, not instinct alone.

Whether you’re dealing with bridge comb between deeps, weird bulging frames, or just want to help your bees draw clean comb, this episode will walk you through every angle.

• Who makes comb, when, and why
• How nectar flow (not honey stores) triggers wax production
• The hidden costs of wax secretion for the colony
• Foundation types: plastic, wax, foundationless, and starter strips
• Burr, brace, and bridge comb — what’s the difference?
• Fixing frames stuck together or warped from weird comb
• My personal hot take on why I do not squish frames together
• Tips on checkerboarding and why it doesn’t always work
• Should you use black or yellow foundation? Here’s the real deal.

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 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 doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.