Episode 234: Writing, Beekeeping, and Inspiring Young Beekeepers with Patti Sherlock

In Episode 234 of *Two Bees in a Podcast*, host Jamie welcomes Patti Sherlock, author of the children's book *The Nectar Collector*, to discuss her journey from beekeeper to storyteller. Sherlock shares how her deepening involvement with beekeeping—after initially having hives on a family farm—inspired her to write a novel from a forager bee’s perspective, emphasizing themes of cooperation, harmony, and the miraculous nature of honeybee colonies. She reflects on the challenges of anthropomorphizing bees without eyelids, the importance of simplicity and pacing in youth writing, and the competitive realities of publishing. The episode also includes a detailed Q&A segment addressing beekeeping concerns such as the dangers of using naphthalene-based mothballs instead of PDB crystals, seasonal weight changes in queens, and the potential for using wasp pheromones in pest control. Throughout, the conversation underscores the power of storytelling to inspire future generations of bee advocates and the critical role of education in fostering respect for bees. Key takeaways include: (1) Use storytelling to make complex topics like beekeeping accessible to youth; (2) Prioritize factual accuracy and emotional resonance over forced moralizing in educational content; (3) Avoid using naphthalene-based mothballs in beekeeping equipment due to long-term toxicity; (4) Queens do lose weight in winter due to reduced egg-laying, reflecting seasonal physiological changes; (5) Chemical ecology—such as using wasp pheromones—holds promise for non-toxic pest control, though more research is needed; (6) Leverage tools like Google Scholar Labs to accelerate scientific discovery; (7) Persistence and passion are essential for authors navigating the competitive publishing landscape; (8) The emotional connection to bees—fueled by awe and admiration—can drive long-term conservation efforts.