How were you taught to beekeep?

DaveKow · May 30, 2008, 06:19:35 AM

Just wondering how many people have mentors. I am beginning to see the benefit of having one. Just to look at my hive and tell me that everything is OK, or not. Is it possible to be successful without one?

Thanks
Dave

Scadsobees · May 30, 2008, 08:55:14 AM

You can do without one. But I'd say that the internet is more useful than a mentor, based on my experiences. Those without either a mentor or the internet are usually only moderately successful.

bassman1977 · May 30, 2008, 09:13:35 AM

I didn't have a mentor per say. My dad got me started but I read A LOT. As far as small cell stuff, I would have to say Mr. Bush and others on this site were my mentors. Much thanks to Beemaster for the forums and Mr. Bush and all the vets for their support.

BeeHopper · May 30, 2008, 09:51:06 AM

I voted No for starters, because I did not have one-on-one mentoring.

But I have been learning much by:

1. Basic Beekeeping Course by the NJ State of Ag. Extension Office.
2. Books
3. This Site and Beesource
4. Finally a Beekeeping Club

I have stuck to the Basics since the beginning, however, I have been experimenting with different management techniques and equipment thanks to MB and B.D.B. & the list will likely grow.

MustbeeNuts · May 30, 2008, 10:01:35 AM

Mentors are a great thing, I think that it helps so much more than just what is on a forum, the ventrilo chat is a great place to get some advice for sure.
I think it would be nice to have a one on one metor to ask questions, the only thing I have noticed about the bees is everyone has a different way of doing things, I was told by one old beek that there is a 100 ways to do it , and there all correct. I don't know if thats neccesarily true? But if it works for you it must be right. LOL And to all the members that freely give there help and advice THANK YOU!

ElDoBill · May 30, 2008, 11:07:04 AM

I have been reading, taking classes, learning from the experienced people here and applying the advice and common sense to my beekeeping. I found it very helpful to have someone examine the hives to tell me what I'm looking at. Drone cells, eggs, larvae, etc. One of the forum members checked my sticky board with me to confirm my mite count. It's very helpful to have pictures from this forum to compare to in real life as well. My thanks to all the gurus on this site.

Rex · May 30, 2008, 02:23:56 PM

I have a mentor through the local beekeepers association here in Sacramento. He hasn't come out to see my hives, but he's a phone call away if I have a question.

I also read books, scour the internet for info (that's how I found this forum).

annette · May 30, 2008, 04:38:32 PM

I took several classes, was mentored a couple of times, but never had anyone come out to look at my hives. That was very hard on me at first, until I found this forum. If there is a problem or question so many beek respond so quickly. Also when I posted photos, I got good answers quickly. This is how I learned I had a laying worker hive without question. A picture speaks a thousand words.

I think It is always best to learn from an experienced person hands on. But if you do not have that, well the forum is great.

Take Care
Annette

Brian D. Bray · May 30, 2008, 05:55:40 PM

I was very Lucky, not only can I trace my family bee tree back to beekeepers in Germany but I had a wonderful mentor. He was 86 and I was 10 the day we met in May 1959. For the next six years he tried to teach me everything he knew since he had started in 1899. Spring, summer, and fall I spent every weekend with him working the bees. It was weird to be 16 and know more about bees than people who had been keeping them for 20 years. They also did not like being corrected by an upstart. I still find that to be true. I talk to a lot of people and I tell them things that make them think I'm crazy, yet everyone that has taken the time to check out (inside the hive) what I said, usually come back and tell me I'm right.

JordanM · May 30, 2008, 06:44:38 PM

All i had was this forum which i think is better than a mentor, because you get so many different views.

JP · May 30, 2008, 07:00:56 PM

My most important mentors are my bees, but I am thankful for a couple of close connections locally and yes, the beekeeping forums such as this are a wonderful way to pool from experienced minds.

A special thanks are in order to all who are unselfish and willing to help.

...JP

Kimbrell · May 30, 2008, 07:23:47 PM

A good friend became my mentor. He especially helped when I panicked every week during my first year!

budhanes · May 30, 2008, 08:52:39 PM

Forums only. I did learn alot from the forums though. It's been 3 years and I'd still like to have a very experienced beekeeper go through my hives with me. Sure, I'm comfortable in a hive... Am I confident I'm the best beekeeper I can be? No. I'd like someone to go through my hives with me that is a great beekeeper and teach me.... Sure, I get by. I lost 0 hives last winter, caught 7 swarms this year, and even produced honey last year... But, I want to KNOW I'm doing it correctly. When someone asks... "Are you doing a good job with your bees", I dont want to answer "I think so"... I want to be able to say "Heck yes"!!!

wayseer · May 30, 2008, 10:23:26 PM

I was fortunate in having an extremely competent beekeeper as a mentor. He took me out to his apiaries, got me to make my own wiring board, allowed me to wire up his frames and gave me all sorts of odds and ends, including an old smoker. He was a wealth of knowledge and I freely called on his expertise in my formative years.

I then attended a week long course put on the Ag College in Brisbane which I enjoyed. The day that we attended the apiary site was overcast with odd showers which was not a good look. We got off a truck load of supers and the air was alive with flying bees - not for the faint hearted. From a class of 50 odd, I found that I was one of about 8 others who were still working. Sorts out the sheep from the goats. After that baptism I knew I'd make a reasonable beekeeper.

But, yes, there are lots of learning avenues. Forums are good, so is belonging to the local beekeeping group. In Queensland, which I think holds true for the rest of Australia, everyone that keeps a hive must be registered with the DPI. There are a whole variety of 'farm notes' that the DPI issue which keeps one up to date. I also subscribe to the Australiasia Beekeeper, a monthly magazine on all things bees.

Regardless, I learn something everytime I go into the apiary. I have also found it important to understand flora - well, that the source of it all.

Observation - that's where learning starts - just looking and watching how things go, be it trees or bees.

qa33010 · May 31, 2008, 02:50:40 AM

How was I taught to beekeep?

Some one had/has a signature that read something like, ask ten beekeepers one question and get eleven answers. That's what I went with. Took all the information from various sources and made my own decisions. Some were wrong and fewer were right. But I'm still way back on the learning curve yet.

GaryMinckler · May 31, 2008, 08:56:17 AM

I wouldn't say I've been "taught", but am learning now. I have only two overwintered colonies and three newly installed packages. I think this forum will be a great help.

Moonshae · May 31, 2008, 02:16:29 PM

I had two hives about 20 years ago when I was a teenager. We didn't know anything about keeping bees except what we learned from the basic book we got with our hives. This time around, I relied on Beekeeping for Dummies, the Backyard Beekeeper, and this forum. I learned more in a week of reading than I ever knew in the earlier attempt.

DaveKow · May 31, 2008, 03:48:42 PM

Thanks to all that participated. Good to know that I am not the only one without one. Thanks again to all of the veteran beeks that point us rookies in the right direction.

Dave

johnnybigfish · May 31, 2008, 04:32:15 PM

Hi Dave!
Whats a mentor???
I just jumped in, head first, not having a clue as to what I was doing! :-D
I bought a couple books......Then found this place...Then bought more books and started using the library....I also went to links which were posted here....I joined a bee club but found that it was sort of "cliquish".(I like diversity, so the bee meetings arent on my list of prioritys)....and, "VOILA"! Here I am!!
The more I learn about bees, the more I learn that I dont know squat about bees! They really keep me humble!!
For me Dave, It seems that beekeeping is mostly in here learning and listening. More of this than actually messing with the bees. :). But LOOK OUT!....When I do deal with the bees its more exciting than......Well,.....uhhhhhh....(Ok,....it lasts longer and its more often. ;) )....And getting smoke in the eyes from my helper thinking he's a chimney spout....well,..It dont get much better'n that!

your friend,
john