Bee Talks Recap | October 2025
Updated: Aug 26
In this episode of Bee Talks, we kick things off with a look at bright orange pollen on returning foragers and what it might signal. With a storm approaching, we discuss how to protect hives and prep for colder weather. A newly approved varroa treatment, Norroa, raises plenty of questions, and we explore how and when to use it, where to find it, and how it compares to other options.
We also talk about the rise in yellowjacket activity, whether it’s time to move brood frames between boxes, and how one treatment led to a robbing frenzy. We cover safe disposal of Varroxsan and Apigard, and wrap up with insights from Randy Oliver’s testing of robber screens.
In this episode of Bee Talks:
00:00:00 - Welcome & Bloom Calendar
00:03:40 - My forager bees are coming back covered in bright orange pollen - what can it be?
00:09:38 - Make sure to protect your colonies in preparation for the upcoming storm
00:10:45 - How do we use this new varroa treatment that was just approved (Norroa)? (continued at 33:02)
00:17:48 - There seem to be a lot of yellowjackets this year…
00:19:21 - What should I be doing in right now to prepare my hives for the longer winter?
00:22:42 - I had brood in my colony and used formic pro to treat. It caused a robbing frenzy in my yard.
00:25:31 - What type of varroa treatment should I be using this year? Should I be using the new treatment?
00:31:02 - If in a two-deep colony, I still have some brood in the upper, should I move that brood to the bottom box and replace the box of honey?
00:33:02 - Where can I purchase Norroa™ treatment?
00:34:21 - Does anyone know what the details of this new treatment entail?
00:37:12 - How do I properly dispose of used Varroxsan and Apigard?
00:40:01 - Discussion of Randy Oliver’s testing of robber screens
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Bring your questions, ideas, and observations to the next Bee Talks, held the second Thursday of each month.
Each session includes a Q&A period and a discussion on a seasonally-appropriate topic, guiding beekeepers through the year. Open to all, regardless of experience or equipment, these sessions support your practice and provide essential information for success.
Bee Talks are led by Bill Hesbach, an Eastern Apicultural Society Certified Master Beekeeper and University of Montana Master Beekeeping Program graduate. He teaches bee biology and beekeeping methods at regional events and national seminars. Bill is on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Apicultural Society and is President of the Connecticut Beekeepers Association. His articles appear in Bee Culture, Bee Craft, and The American Bee Journal.
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