In part two of my conversation with Minnesota beekeeper Peg DeSanto, we continue unpacking the science of overwintering and explore the research behind condensation, CO₂ balance, and hive insulation. Peg explains why matching hive size to colony strength matters, how smaller overwintering spaces improve survival, and how her Hive Hugger project was born from frustration, science, and a little bit of love.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why bees can freeze even with honey inches away
• The real cause behind “starvation” deaths in winter
• How matching hive space to colony size improves survival
• What Seely’s natural cavity research reveals about hive volume
• How CO₂ and humidity help bees regulate metabolism
• How the Hive Hugger insulation system was developed and tested
• Why insulation values (R30 top, R10 sides) are critical for cold regions

Why Listen to This Episode?

You will hear the rest of Peg’s story and learn how modern insulation research and natural bee behavior combine to create a more effective, science-based approach to overwintering.

Limited offer at https://hivehugger.com , use code: BK4N for 11% off.

More Info:

🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org

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.

In this episode I talk with Minnesota beekeeper Peg DeSanto about one of the biggest challenges in beekeeping, getting colonies through winter. Peg explains how she became determined to stop winter losses and what she learned about insulation, moisture control, and the science behind the condensing hive approach.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why 50 to 60 percent winter losses are not inevitable
• How moisture and cold both threaten hive survival
• What R values actually mean for top and side insulation
• How bees manage condensation and why wet bees die fast
• What condensing hive design solves and how to build one
• Real data from researchers like Tom Seeley and Etienne Tardif
• How proper insulation reduces honey use and stress

Why Listen to This Episode?

You will learn how modern data and natural behavior work together to redefine overwintering success, with practical steps any beekeeper can apply before the cold sets in.

More Info:

🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org

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.

Bees In The News is back with a fresh format and more commentary. Instead of just reading headlines, I dive into what these stories really mean for beekeepers. In this episode, we explore the surprising discovery of natural bacteria in pollen that may protect bees, the growing concerns about native bee loss in Missouri and Kansas, and a Penn State study showing that organic beekeeping might actually improve honey yields and beekeeper safety. We wrap up with Alaska’s first small hive beetle detection and what it really means for northern beekeepers.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• How natural endophytes in pollen could help fight hive pathogens
• The reality of native bee decline and what beekeepers can do about it
• Why honey bees can act like an invasive species in certain ecosystems
• Breaking down “organic” beekeeping and why it does not mean “hands off”
• How organic acids and essential oils can rival conventional mite treatments
• Why true “organic honey” is nearly impossible to label in the U.S.
• The Alaska small hive beetle detection and why it is not cause for panic
• Practical steps to reduce beetle pressure in your hives year-round

Why Listen to This Episode?

This episode ties together science, practicality, and opinion. You will walk away with insight into the latest research, how it applies to your beekeeping, and why understanding natural and organic approaches can help protect both managed and wild bee populations.

More Info:

🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org

Referenced Articles:

🔬 Natural bacteria in pollen may protect bees (ScienceDaily)

🌾 Native bees struggle in Missouri and Kansas (KCUR)

🍯 Organic beekeeping benefits bees and keepers (Earth.com)

❄️ Alaska confirms first small hive beetle detection (Your Alaska Link)

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.