2 years ago I was in the ER after a bee sting, I was given a hive for fathers day the same month. I have since been going for allergy shots, I am now up to 5 hives, fear has been a huge obstacle for me. Thanks to my mentor and videos like the ones you make I am becoming a bee keeper
Very interesting topic and good observation. Being from a farming family, I was taught at a young age to NEVER be afraid of the livestock, or you will get hurt. That doesn't mean you aren't careful and safe, but you cannot be walking around afraid. A 1,000 lb horse could easily kill you, but you TELL them what to do, don't ask. And if they don't instantly respond, you say, "HEY! What did I say? Get in line!" And the horse senses your annoyance and gets in line and you praise him. Good boy. We breed Rottweilers. Big, very powerful, stubborn and potentially dangerous animals. Same thing. If one ever growls at you, you calmly correct them, staring them down until they look away. Never, ever allow them to dominate you, but show joy when they listen, and they will loyally ove you forever. Bees are a little different. They mainly respond to calmness and gentleness. Fortunately, I was blessed with very calm bees to start with. I'm slow and gentle with them, and they usually ignore my presence. For a while, I worked my first two hives with no protection, and only smoked them when making a deep dive. I would take an occasional sting, usually because I grabbed a bee, but that was my fault. Strange as it sounds, I felt like I was earning my stripes when I got stung, like a badge of honor. I let them correct me, and I learned how to handle them. But now, to your point of truth... My colonies got really big and summer dearth hit, and almost daily, ONE bee would fly out of "the shed hive" and sting me, usually in the face for no reason. I decided that one bee needed to die, so I leaned a big paint stick against my shed, and when that bee came out, WHACK! It worked for a while. I would whack that one old guard bee, and no others would follow. But it started happening every time I got near that hive, and I found myself avoiding it, not out of fear, but because they just annoyed me. I didn't like having to constantly kill bees. I told a beekeeper friend about this, and he advised me to wear a veil, smoke them good and find out why they were suddenly being defensive. So, I followed his advice and discovered that they had very low stores. They were hungry. I put a feeder on top and they slowly turned nice again. Nice or not, once I got up to 10 hives or so, I realized that I needed to wear a veil, and lightly smoke them as general practice. The bees have responded well. I give them a puff, they remain calm, and I do what I need to do, and no one gets hurt. Live and learn. Thank you for all your helpful videos!
Great video David. I was afraid of bees in the beginning but they do get to know you as you get to know them. Thanks for all the encouragement and the teaching. You should be proud of all the help you're giving to us all. Congratulations
Yay... You got 100K ! 👍 Talk to your Bees, as you by your Hive...In Yard work, Laundry, taking out Trash. Then by watching only, you see them, they get use to you ! Then go Slow and Steady... A Hive is happy if you take your time. Say Hello Girls, watch, look, learn. Then do a Puff of Smoke, wait, then do slow Inspection etc. Do all this beats Fear big time ! Started doing Bees as a late Teen. Took until my Fifties to revisit Beekeeping again. Wish I had done it way, way sooner ! 🙃 A visiting 'cluster of Carpenter Bees' in Garden Shed (non Honey Bees,) got a local Beek to check this out for me.... It wasn't a Swarm but wild native Bees... But that visit, got me chatting, a Nuc of Bees were bought. And now two years later, I have x8 Colonies, and am now teaching a Newbie Beek, everything Bee. Just love it. ❤️ 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2022. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Go on....do Bees in 2023 !!! 😎
I had a colony early in my adventure that was awful. The moment I took the top off I could hear them open their engines full blast. It was so stressful I would walk away crying. I was determined not to give up. I walked out there gave their queen the hive tool test. Split that hive 3 ways and re -queened . Problem solved. Now everyone is a pleasure to work. Good video. Absolutely the truth.
My hive was enjoyable to work until the middle of July. Just previous to that I had to get a new queen, supposedly a Cordovan. When I first opened the hive one of the bees got up under my pant leg stung me through the elastic on the side of my boot. I continued with the inspection and put on the Formic Pro strips. By the time I finished I had gotten stung five more times through my canvas pants. Since then I have been nervous and fearful of my hive. Like your hive they have been aggressively defensive ever since. This video was very helpful to me.
Hey David, You made 100K Yahoo!!!!!! I am so happy for you. You have worked hard for this goal to happen and you have helped so many people keep bees. Thank you David for all your hard work!!
This is spot on. I train in karate as well, the more clouded and emotional you get the worse you perform while sparring. Key is calm mind and spirit. Thank you so much! I am going to start keeping bees in the spring! This will be good experience and training for calm mind and spirit! Focus!
As a child, I would pick a clover that a bee was working on and watch them up close. The few times I did get stung, I felt terrible that the bee had to die because of something I'd done, such as stepping on her. Forty years later, I am finally living my dream, and finishing up my first year as a keeper. I can honestly say, I could sit and watch those bees for hours. My biggest fear has been making a mistake that will kill my colony. Even so, I've found that when I'm in doubt, I trust they know what they're doing, and I take a step back. We had some warm weather over the weekend, and I was pleased as punch to see my girls out and about their home. 🐝🐝🐝
Been beekeeping for 3 years. I did about a year of research before I started. Your website was one of the first bee sites I found. I gained a lot of knowledge from the reading on your website. Then I found your UA-cam channel and have been a learning subscriber since. I know you put a lot of work into these videos, they are well done. CONGRATS ON 1K SUBS!! Mark
This talk hit home...I didn't start driving or going out in public by myself until I was 23 because of fear. But I had to drive on the highway to powered paragliding training a few hours away. Learning to fly became more important than living the rest of my 20s in fear. I got your classes on Thanksgiving to get started beekeeping because I feel, just as with aviation, having knowledge is much more likely to make the experience enriching and safe. Thank you for these videos David
Temps up in the 50's today the Carniolans were very active & the Italians were pretty quiet. I set out some 2:1 syrup w/supplement & saw they've been devouring the patties. Lots of death from the 60 mph driven rain followed by the hard freeze 10 days ago. Spent all afternoon splitting wood & cleaning the chimney~
Before I got my bees I was terrified. But after spending about a year and a half of just learning bout them before I got them helped me become less afraid of them. Understanding their behavior helped me a lot!
My first colony I got them in my car and a bunch of them got out on the drive...I took a VERY deep breath and relaxed. They stayed on the back windshield. My first inspection I was very nervous and new there was fear mixed into my excitement. I pulled out the first frame and got "enthralled" by them and totally forgot what I was to be looking for! LOL Then I got nervous....but I pushed myself to look at more frames and get over it. Even though I did not look properly, I made myself look and watch several frames. It was wonderful though. I dress properly 99% of the time....that 1% is only during Spring when they are too busy to bother with me!
That was AWESOME David! Thank you for this message. You're my favorite bee teacher, but THIS one, I'm sharing with some friends who have no interest in bees. Thanks again!
Great topic! I am into year 3 of backyard beekeeping and really relate to the fear topic. I think I am 75% cured but still working on it because I LOVE my bees 🙂 The more I learn (you have really helped) the better it gets.
So true. I don’t fear being stung, but I do rush the inspection. I’ve been actively working on that. Every single time. I had a “spicy” hive and a mellow one. Very instructive. Greatly appreciate your videos.
It's true. I started out scared to death.I had a phobia from when I was a kid. I wear all the gear, slow my breathing and just zone right in. It's a secret world in there and I feel so blessed to be able to see it. It's addictive really facing fear
It's funny, I'm not afraid of getting stung. I think it's because before I got bees I watched some of these guys who capture swarms in their shirt sleeves, no veil or anything. It made me realize that bees aren't going to go out of their way to sting you unlike hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, etc. Bees just want to be left alone. And so far, I haven't been stung working with my bees, I kinda wish one of them would sting me so I could get it over with. The thing I am afraid of is doing something out of lack of knowledge and experience that causes the hive to be killed or die. Watching your videos and taking your course is so very helpful in that regard, though I'm still a little afraid going into winter because I see all the mistakes I've made so far and I'm expecting a dead hive by spring which is a bad way to look at it. Different kind of fear, but just as bad, the fear of failure.
David this is a great video! My second year hive got so large! And I did not do a great job inspecting them over the summer. I’d get in just long enough to see brood and eggs and close them back up. I’m promising myself next spring, I’ll do it right and take better care of my bees.
So close! I've been checking back on your channel over the holiday to see if you've achieved your milestone. Hopefully you will get there before it's too late tonight.
❤ firstly. It is nice when people have respect for learn's. We all started, at some point. Fear is apart of the side affect of the sting/vemon. The vemon induces the feelings of the fear response, which we react to. I am not as scared, but with each time, I'm focusing on what I have to do, then tell myself, if I see myself reacting to the fear, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. It helps me.
Great video on a seldom discussed subject. Nobody likes to admit cutting corners because they're afraid. I have personally not gone in the bottom brood boxes of my double deeps as much as I should have this year. This is the end of my third year keeping bees here in San Antonio, Texas. The first two years I seldom wore a shirt, just jeans, gloves and a veil (it's hot in summer). Got stung a total of four times. Fortunately I fully suited up for the first inspection of this year though. My one hive of gentle Georgia stock that made it through winter was taken over by a feral colony with a stronger strain of africanized in them. It didn't bug me so much at the time that they came after me, it was that they skipped over the garage and went after my dog, then my kids and chased them 100 yards down the road. Took me 20 minutes of spraying myself down with a hose before I could get away long enough to go inside. 13 stings through the glove cuffs and pants. 30+ to my poor dog (he was sick that night, but is much better now) As my apiary is in the back yard, I obviously couldn't have that and replaced the colony. I'm still suiting up every time though, despite their gentler behavior. The reactions I feel when they get flighty, or I think of going without the jacket are the same as my PTSD panic attacks, but at least I'm beyond full tape up now. My goal is to get to just long sleeves for spot checks by late spring. (yes, I am allergic, but it's just severe local swelling)
This is so true, ankle biters😊. I started beekeeping because of the fear and the need to overcome the challenges. We’ve had people come to pick blueberries in our field, but when they saw the hives they didn’t pick and they asked if we had prepackaged berries that we could hand through the cracked car window because of a very strong fear. Congratulations David and Sheri for all your hard work.
Thanks David, always helpful. I just purchased your full video/class certification program with the black Friday discount you were offering and I look forward to learning more from you and your experiences. Thank you for offering the discount. Cheers to you reaching 100k!
So true! I got stung 8 times when it was lightly raining and they got in my suit. They were so mad, but, lesson learned . I really had to breath slowly and get myself together to go back in the following week. It was scary.
That was downright inspiring. I love it when you share about your experiences when you learned stuff. They make T-shirts like that: "Beekeeper: If I run, you run!" I think I'm with you and your dad about not jumping out of perfectly good plane. I'd like to get so I could work the bees without gloves but I'm afraid of that. I kept getting stung so finally I just went back to using gloves. You've inspired me to try queen rearing this summer. I'll likely just do that with my gloves on. :) Subscribed a while ago. Congrats!
David I would have to say I am guilty of much of what you say. Unfortunately, both my hives are now frozen out even though I fed them and wrapped them. I missed something this fall and will have to start again in the spring. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next video.
So so good! Awesome information David. Yes! You have nailed the problem right on the head. No wonder many of my Mentees give up on bees, or fail to inspect thoroughly or carefully in a manner that's not rushed or hurried. Actually, I've been keeping bees for 13 years and I still have some hesitations. But for the sake of my bees' health and wellbeing I get over it suit up, and trust my equipment (bee suit and gear). I even have a mean colony. Man that's challenging!!! But I know enough to often times wear double layers, my jacket and gloves, even two pairs of nitrile gloves! You are right! It's about starting small, gradually gaining confidence and learning things about bees and trusting your gear. Thank you. What an awesome video. Congratulations on your 1k subscribers. You deserve to celebrate. Video production is an art and a lot of work and teaching is a skill and talent. You have the talent and do a great job. For this we all thank you.
I was terrified when I installed my first nuc all by myself after having handled bees all of twice before that. But they swirled around me, checked me out, then got on to setting up house. So installing my second nuc was far less stressful. I've had bees for two years now and there have been exactly three stings in my bee yard so far. They're usually quite gentle bees. My first sting in my second year of beekeeping was actually kind of a relief, after the two times I've been tagged by wasps and the resultant shrieking and jumping around (I don't react well to sudden sharp anything, whether it be noise or pain), turns out that for me, they're kinda like getting stuck with a sewing needle, which I do to myself rather a lot. I still work my hives fully suited up and gloved and I even tape over the velcro tabs over my zippers because if I can stick my finger in there and get to my veil, a bee could make it... but I'd had nightmares before of getting stung and in my resultant freakout, dropping a frame or something important and making everything worse... also it's a relief to find out that bee stings are not on the very long list of things I'm allergic to, that was another concern I had. The second sting couple weeks ago confirmed that I still don't react too badly to bee stings, that one felt like someone plucked a body hair, didn't realize I'd been stung till it started to burn a little and then I found the stinger in my pants. I put a baking soda paste on it right away, took out the sting and I only had a red spot for a few days, no itching or swelling like I've heard some beekeepers get. I'll probably always go fully suited up and gloved (I don't like the feel of insects on my skin) because that's what keeps me as confident and calm as I can be out there. I sort of approach beekeeping like I did horseback riding, do everything as safely as possible to prevent incidents, but know that they're going to happen and you'll just have to deal with it when they come up, then get back in there and do what needs to get done.
Congratulations on making 100,000 subscribers! You make such great videos on bee keeping. You have helped me tremendously on my bee keeping journey. I just installed my winter bee kind and I'm prepared to get through my first western New York winter with bees. Thanks again David!
I have had my hive since May of this year. I have NEVER found my queen. I know she's there from the eggs and different stages of larvae I see. My problem has nothing to do with fear at all. My problem is I am partially color blind and all of the colors of the moving bees blend together. The non-moving eggs and larvae are easy to find. As long as I can see evidence that like that, I am not going to worry myself trying to actually spot the queen herself. If I stop seeing eggs and larvae progressing through their various stages, I will hit up my local bee club and get some help from some of hte people there.
Congrats on your 100,000 Subscriptions. Fear is a good topic to discuss. But, slow and steady is the way. No fear if you are protected. Most importantly, natural, minimal invasive inspections to the colonies is the best approach. Most beekeepers, are their worst enemies....just like how we deal with our lifes. Less us more. Live with nature....not to control it.
Dave, this is one of the best! You could add this to your online curriculum. I related to many of these points that I would have loved to get myself “grounded” before I started beekeeping eight months ago. You have been there virtually (with my mentor here in NC) and I plan to stay aligned with your logic and dedication to us all! Thankful in Cashiers, NC. Happy Thanksgiving!
The hive you're sitting next to must be the hive my queen came from. Most hives I can work in shorts, a t-shirt and a veil. The package I got last spring makes me wear the full suit with the zip-on hood. It's worth it though. It's also my best producing hive.
I’m entering year four of beekeeping. My fear actually increased and then I found out I’m allergic which caused it to increase again. I try to remain calm and focused on what I’m doing. I try not to rush.
You loose your fear when you get more experience and you forget to be scared. It helps if you give priority to a really good bee suit. I haven’t been stung since four months ago since I invested in a really good all in one suit. My first bee colony was evil and only changed when I replaced the queen. They stung everyone in the vicinity as well which made me very unpopular. All okay now two years later.
You certainly touched on a nerve with me about life fear.. I dearly love motorcycles and after a moderately painful wreck I’ve been unable to ride only because of irrational fear. Guess it’s my giant bee stinger.
Fear of falling and fear of aloud sound. You are correct. Been wanting to do this for years. I didnt ruin most of my life with the usual suspects drugs, alcohol, or crime, it was the pursuit of comfort. This year im Facing my fears. Maybe I will rent or borrow a space for 2 hives.
Enjoyed this episode ...good life messages, still trying to get courage to put your ultimate course on my credit card ......hoping for cyber Monday deals ...
David, Congrats on 100K . Great tip at the end of your video. I have Fall hive inspection fear! I'm afraid I'm going to accidently kill a queen 🐝 , I'm afraid that I'm going to start a robbing frenzy. Plus, the hives are a little more testy in Fall. Needless to say, I put off Fall inspections because of fear.. all due to past mistakes. Thanks for the push to conquer my fears.
Congratulations David on 100k subscribers!!! I have been keeping bees for 6 months now and I have very much appreciated your videos! Is there a good time to put on the candy board?
@@beek I have been hearing that opening the hive breaks the propolis seal, and I agree, but the theory is that the bees cannot fix this seal in the winter and that could be bad for the hive with too much airflow. My question is, when I put the candy board (that I bought from you, thank you) on my hive on a 22 degree Utah day in December, I should be fine to hurry and place the candy board on top, but should I stress about the bees not being able to create a new propolis seal?
The propolis thing sound cool, but I've noticed it has not been a problem for me. But I do have to place something heavy on the top to keep it all together. 22 is fine if you work fast.
Great video David. What you say is true. I'm not afraid anymore but I understand how fear can interfere with everything. QUESTION FOR YOU: I'm getting my second hive next year, and will need to keep it close to my first hive because the location is the sunniest place in the garden. Yet should I have the entrance to the second hive pointed in a different direction from the first one? Or does it matter? Thanks
My first bees where very meen, I was 15 . Now I'm 52 tomorrow, my bees Now are so gentle. I wish the first hive I had where. But it helped me over come my fear by being smart about it.
I have seen bees roll out of a bee hive like angry little aliens. The hive had been closed for a few days. I don't remember why. But, they started to pour out of every tiny crack that opened up. And then they came for the bee suit just looking for even the tiniest of holes. Nothing got in but dang. They were angry bees!
I found this online: Bees don't smell fear. However, they detect fear pheromones released when an animal or human is afraid by the secretion of adrenaline or cortisol. Essentially, their olfactory system enables them to collect scents and establish their meaning. So, even though they don't smell fear directly, they have a keen sense of smell for perceived threats from secretions of adrenaline.
I've never had any fear of bees... I used to pet them when I was very young.. I have worked the hive in a t-shirt, as seen in my videos.. You will also see I go get my gear as soon as they get agitated, as they do later in the season. I got stung this last season 4 times by wasps (Yellow Jackets, German wasp) it was WAY more painful than the 2 stings I got from my bees...they barely hurt at all, and were a little itchy for a few days.. the wasp stings on the other hand were so bad I had full muscles swelling up in both arms and both legs, I needed cortisone cream to get through and it lasted a few weeks.
My bees love me and I go that extra mile for them My spare time I just set with them they just sit on me when I work with them I just use a vail and little smoke
No joke when we were young and dumb my friend and I knocked down a bee hive with a rock but I didn’t think he actually hit it so I stop running and that’s when I saw a swarm chasing him. I have thought to this day me not running didn’t make me the target. I don’t know for sure but boy am I glad I didn’t get it. He had bees all over in his hair and his clothes. Now on being scared I’m never afraid to admit it for sure. I went sky diving and everyone asked to my suprise why I wasn’t scared in the video. I had to explain I was crapping my pants. But I did what I wanted to do and have be happy about it ever since. Now as a race car driver I can tell you I can control a car better than anyone who’s timid every time. There’s no competition once you master it. You can get your car sideways and bring it back around if you don’t panic but if you panic it’s done. Prepare for impact
I can attest to this, I've been keeping bees now for seven years now. this season I had some hives that were very 'hot' (aggressive). I opened the hive expecting to do a quick look, no big deal, I didn't have on all of my safety gear. They lit me up, in all my years I've never been attacked like that, I had to get a hundred feet away before they left me alone. I had a panic attack and blacked out for just a moment, as I sat there on the ground I calmed my breathing, got past the dizziness in a few minutes. I got back up went and got on all of my gear this time and went back at it, finished what I needed to do and went home. I still feel the panic come up when I'm recounting this right now, but I don't let it stop me. In my life I have gone through a lot of pain, hurt and real fear the kind you could die from. I have survived so far and I'm better for the experience, it's how you learn, you grow from it, and you're alive. I'm not talking about just the physical, I mean the emotional expression of who you are. How you want the world to know the truly authentic you, to be seen and heard. Fear is there to give you information not to stop you, it's the point of choice, how am I going to move forward. Thanks David
@@beek Thanks, I do a lot of work for myself on Social and Emotional Intelligence. Fear being a real base emotion, it there for everyone the real trick is listening to it with out it taking control. I do the work at The Wright Foundation for Social and Emotional Intelligence, part of the Foundation is it's environmental mission. As part of that mission I have been running their apiary (5 hives at this point) as well as work on restoring about 50 archers of native Wisconsin prairie with the intent to expand it. I live in Chicago proper and have one hive here and the WF campus is in Elkhorn WI. Looking at taking your classes right now and looking to eventually get EAS certified myself since education is a big part of my job with the bees in WI.
My full beesuit and my smoker are my friends. But I've been able to switch to nitrile gloves. There's a lot of truth in this video, but I thing I'm getting better
2 years ago I was in the ER after a bee sting, I was given a hive for fathers day the same month. I have since been going for allergy shots, I am now up to 5 hives, fear has been a huge obstacle for me. Thanks to my mentor and videos like the ones you make I am becoming a bee keeper
Be safe my friend
Very interesting topic and good observation.
Being from a farming family, I was taught at a young age to NEVER be afraid of the livestock, or you will get hurt. That doesn't mean you aren't careful and safe, but you cannot be walking around afraid. A 1,000 lb horse could easily kill you, but you TELL them what to do, don't ask. And if they don't instantly respond, you say, "HEY! What did I say? Get in line!" And the horse senses your annoyance and gets in line and you praise him. Good boy. We breed Rottweilers. Big, very powerful, stubborn and potentially dangerous animals. Same thing. If one ever growls at you, you calmly correct them, staring them down until they look away. Never, ever allow them to dominate you, but show joy when they listen, and they will loyally ove you forever.
Bees are a little different. They mainly respond to calmness and gentleness. Fortunately, I was blessed with very calm bees to start with. I'm slow and gentle with them, and they usually ignore my presence. For a while, I worked my first two hives with no protection, and only smoked them when making a deep dive. I would take an occasional sting, usually because I grabbed a bee, but that was my fault. Strange as it sounds, I felt like I was earning my stripes when I got stung, like a badge of honor. I let them correct me, and I learned how to handle them.
But now, to your point of truth...
My colonies got really big and summer dearth hit, and almost daily, ONE bee would fly out of "the shed hive" and sting me, usually in the face for no reason. I decided that one bee needed to die, so I leaned a big paint stick against my shed, and when that bee came out, WHACK! It worked for a while. I would whack that one old guard bee, and no others would follow. But it started happening every time I got near that hive, and I found myself avoiding it, not out of fear, but because they just annoyed me. I didn't like having to constantly kill bees. I told a beekeeper friend about this, and he advised me to wear a veil, smoke them good and find out why they were suddenly being defensive.
So, I followed his advice and discovered that they had very low stores. They were hungry. I put a feeder on top and they slowly turned nice again.
Nice or not, once I got up to 10 hives or so, I realized that I needed to wear a veil, and lightly smoke them as general practice. The bees have responded well. I give them a puff, they remain calm, and I do what I need to do, and no one gets hurt. Live and learn.
Thank you for all your helpful videos!
So glad for this perfectly timed video. I have two hives- one is reasonably tempered but the other is mean as heck. The smoker doesn’t even faze ‘em.
Great video David. Not just about bees but a life lesson that everyone must learn and can benefit from. Conquer your fears!
Great video David. I was afraid of bees in the beginning but they do get to know you as you get to know them. Thanks for all the encouragement and the teaching. You should be proud of all the help you're giving to us all. Congratulations
Yay... You got 100K ! 👍
Talk to your Bees, as you by your Hive...In Yard work, Laundry, taking out Trash.
Then by watching only, you see them, they get use to you ! Then go Slow and Steady... A Hive is happy if you take your time. Say Hello Girls, watch, look, learn. Then do a Puff of Smoke, wait, then do slow Inspection etc.
Do all this beats Fear big time ! Started doing Bees as a late Teen. Took until my Fifties to revisit Beekeeping again.
Wish I had done it way, way sooner ! 🙃
A visiting 'cluster of Carpenter Bees' in Garden Shed (non Honey Bees,) got a local Beek to check this out for me.... It wasn't a Swarm but wild native Bees... But that visit, got me chatting, a Nuc of Bees were bought. And now two years later, I have x8 Colonies, and am now teaching a Newbie Beek, everything Bee.
Just love it. ❤️
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Happy Beekeeping 2022.
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Go on....do Bees in 2023 !!!
😎
I had a colony early in my adventure that was awful.
The moment I took the top off I could hear them open their engines full blast. It was so stressful I would walk away crying. I was determined not to give up. I walked out there gave their queen the hive tool test. Split that hive 3 ways and re -queened . Problem solved. Now everyone is a pleasure to work.
Good video. Absolutely the truth.
That is a great story of determination
I have bees because all the beekeepers quit. So far we are getting along ok but I needed to hear this. Thank you for the good advice.
My hive was enjoyable to work until the middle of July. Just previous to that I had to get a new queen, supposedly a Cordovan.
When I first opened the hive one of the bees got up under my pant leg stung me through the elastic on the side of my boot. I continued with the inspection and put on the Formic Pro strips. By the time I finished I had gotten stung five more times through my canvas pants. Since then I have been nervous and fearful of my hive. Like your hive they have been aggressively defensive ever since. This video was very helpful to me.
You have gained a form of Zen about fear. Thank you, for sharing, I came for a lesson and left with an answer to my biggest current life hurdle.
Hey David, You made 100K Yahoo!!!!!! I am so happy for you. You have worked hard for this goal to happen and you have helped so many people keep bees. Thank you David for all your hard work!!
Thanks Tony, and yes a ton of hard work for sure. I make it look easy but it is actually quite hard, but I enjoy it immensely.
This is spot on. I train in karate as well, the more clouded and emotional you get the worse you perform while sparring. Key is calm mind and spirit. Thank you so much! I am going to start keeping bees in the spring! This will be good experience and training for calm mind and spirit! Focus!
I had to check in this morning to see if you reached 100k last night. Congratulations on reaching a huge milestone. You’ve earned it.
We did it!! Thank you guys so much!!!!
@@beek so happy for you guys
Only in this a couple of years. I've been systematically desensitizing myself every time I go out. It's a little better each time! 😊🐝💖
As a child, I would pick a clover that a bee was working on and watch them up close. The few times I did get stung, I felt terrible that the bee had to die because of something I'd done, such as stepping on her. Forty years later, I am finally living my dream, and finishing up my first year as a keeper. I can honestly say, I could sit and watch those bees for hours. My biggest fear has been making a mistake that will kill my colony. Even so, I've found that when I'm in doubt, I trust they know what they're doing, and I take a step back. We had some warm weather over the weekend, and I was pleased as punch to see my girls out and about their home. 🐝🐝🐝
Been beekeeping for 3 years. I did about a year of research before I started. Your website was one of the first bee sites I found. I gained a lot of knowledge from the reading on your website. Then I found your UA-cam channel and have been a learning subscriber since. I know you put a lot of work into these videos, they are well done. CONGRATS ON 1K SUBS!! Mark
So glad to hear I am helping you!
This talk hit home...I didn't start driving or going out in public by myself until I was 23 because of fear. But I had to drive on the highway to powered paragliding training a few hours away. Learning to fly became more important than living the rest of my 20s in fear. I got your classes on Thanksgiving to get started beekeeping because I feel, just as with aviation, having knowledge is much more likely to make the experience enriching and safe. Thank you for these videos David
Wow so well said!
I was afraid of bees before I learned about them, my daughter was too. Now she loves bees. Knowledge is power.
So very true. Glad to hear this Chuck for you and your daughter.
Temps up in the 50's today the Carniolans were very active & the Italians were pretty quiet. I set out some 2:1 syrup w/supplement & saw they've been devouring the patties. Lots of death from the 60 mph driven rain followed by the hard freeze 10 days ago. Spent all afternoon splitting wood & cleaning the chimney~
I love sitting between my hives and watch the bees go about their business
Before I got my bees I was terrified. But after spending about a year and a half of just learning bout them before I got them helped me become less afraid of them. Understanding their behavior helped me a lot!
Good for you Heather and thank you for subscriber for over a year!
My first colony I got them in my car and a bunch of them got out on the drive...I took a VERY deep breath and relaxed. They stayed on the back windshield. My first inspection I was very nervous and new there was fear mixed into my excitement. I pulled out the first frame and got "enthralled" by them and totally forgot what I was to be looking for! LOL Then I got nervous....but I pushed myself to look at more frames and get over it. Even though I did not look properly, I made myself look and watch several frames. It was wonderful though. I dress properly 99% of the time....that 1% is only during Spring when they are too busy to bother with me!
So interesting because all of us have had that similar experience.
This is one of your best coffee time videos. Awesome sweater!
That was AWESOME David! Thank you for this message. You're my favorite bee teacher, but THIS one, I'm sharing with some friends who have no interest in bees. Thanks again!
99.9 is an accomplishment. I am a bit envious and man enough to admit it. Keep it up ☺️
Thanks and couldn’t do it without you
Great topic! I am into year 3 of backyard beekeeping and really relate to the fear topic. I think I am 75% cured but still working on it because I LOVE my bees 🙂 The more I learn (you have really helped) the better it gets.
So true. I don’t fear being stung, but I do rush the inspection. I’ve been actively working on that. Every single time. I had a “spicy” hive and a mellow one. Very instructive. Greatly appreciate your videos.
Thanks Lynn, good insights.
It's true. I started out scared to death.I had a phobia from when I was a kid. I wear all the gear, slow my breathing and just zone right in. It's a secret world in there and I feel so blessed to be able to see it. It's addictive really facing fear
Lovely talk about the realities of beekeeping ! Thank you.
It's funny, I'm not afraid of getting stung. I think it's because before I got bees I watched some of these guys who capture swarms in their shirt sleeves, no veil or anything. It made me realize that bees aren't going to go out of their way to sting you unlike hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, etc. Bees just want to be left alone. And so far, I haven't been stung working with my bees, I kinda wish one of them would sting me so I could get it over with. The thing I am afraid of is doing something out of lack of knowledge and experience that causes the hive to be killed or die. Watching your videos and taking your course is so very helpful in that regard, though I'm still a little afraid going into winter because I see all the mistakes I've made so far and I'm expecting a dead hive by spring which is a bad way to look at it. Different kind of fear, but just as bad, the fear of failure.
David this is a great video! My second year hive got so large! And I did not do a great job inspecting them over the summer. I’d get in just long enough to see brood and eggs and close them back up. I’m promising myself next spring, I’ll do it right and take better care of my bees.
Hi Lisa, glad you enjoyed the video. Baby steps on improving your inspection.
So close! I've been checking back on your channel over the holiday to see if you've achieved your milestone. Hopefully you will get there before it's too late tonight.
❤ firstly. It is nice when people have respect for learn's. We all started, at some point. Fear is apart of the side affect of the sting/vemon. The vemon induces the feelings of the fear response, which we react to. I am not as scared, but with each time, I'm focusing on what I have to do, then tell myself, if I see myself reacting to the fear, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. It helps me.
Great video!...Fear doesn't make me in a hurry and clumsy but being out of shape certainly does! This is heavy, more physical work than I thought!
So true Lisa, I need to make a video with a physical therapist to give beekeepers tips on not breaking their backs.
@@beek That would be great! Thanks for all you do!
Great video on a seldom discussed subject. Nobody likes to admit cutting corners because they're afraid. I have personally not gone in the bottom brood boxes of my double deeps as much as I should have this year.
This is the end of my third year keeping bees here in San Antonio, Texas. The first two years I seldom wore a shirt, just jeans, gloves and a veil (it's hot in summer). Got stung a total of four times. Fortunately I fully suited up for the first inspection of this year though. My one hive of gentle Georgia stock that made it through winter was taken over by a feral colony with a stronger strain of africanized in them.
It didn't bug me so much at the time that they came after me, it was that they skipped over the garage and went after my dog, then my kids and chased them 100 yards down the road. Took me 20 minutes of spraying myself down with a hose before I could get away long enough to go inside. 13 stings through the glove cuffs and pants. 30+ to my poor dog (he was sick that night, but is much better now) As my apiary is in the back yard, I obviously couldn't have that and replaced the colony.
I'm still suiting up every time though, despite their gentler behavior. The reactions I feel when they get flighty, or I think of going without the jacket are the same as my PTSD panic attacks, but at least I'm beyond full tape up now. My goal is to get to just long sleeves for spot checks by late spring. (yes, I am allergic, but it's just severe local swelling)
This is so true, ankle biters😊. I started beekeeping because of the fear and the need to overcome the challenges. We’ve had people come to pick blueberries in our field, but when they saw the hives they didn’t pick and they asked if we had prepackaged berries that we could hand through the cracked car window because of a very strong fear. Congratulations David and Sheri for all your hard work.
You're rocking that Christmas sweater! Another informative and interesting video! Thank you!
Glad you like the seater. One year someone said they liked my jumper. I had to research that one 👚
Thanks David, always helpful. I just purchased your full video/class certification program with the black Friday discount you were offering and I look forward to learning more from you and your experiences. Thank you for offering the discount. Cheers to you reaching 100k!
Thanks Gary!!
So true! I got stung 8 times when it was lightly raining and they got in my suit. They were so mad, but, lesson learned . I really had to breath slowly and get myself together to go back in the following week. It was scary.
That was downright inspiring. I love it when you share about your experiences when you learned stuff. They make T-shirts like that: "Beekeeper: If I run, you run!" I think I'm with you and your dad about not jumping out of perfectly good plane. I'd like to get so I could work the bees without gloves but I'm afraid of that. I kept getting stung so finally I just went back to using gloves. You've inspired me to try queen rearing this summer. I'll likely just do that with my gloves on. :) Subscribed a while ago. Congrats!
David I would have to say I am guilty of much of what you say. Unfortunately, both my hives are now frozen out even though I fed them and wrapped them. I missed something this fall and will have to start again in the spring. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next video.
So so good! Awesome information David. Yes! You have nailed the problem right on the head. No wonder many of my Mentees give up on bees, or fail to inspect thoroughly or carefully in a manner that's not rushed or hurried. Actually, I've been keeping bees for 13 years and I still have some hesitations. But for the sake of my bees' health and wellbeing I get over it suit up, and trust my equipment (bee suit and gear). I even have a mean colony. Man that's challenging!!! But I know enough to often times wear double layers, my jacket and gloves, even two pairs of nitrile gloves! You are right! It's about starting small, gradually gaining confidence and learning things about bees and trusting your gear. Thank you. What an awesome video. Congratulations on your 1k subscribers. You deserve to celebrate. Video production is an art and a lot of work and teaching is a skill and talent. You have the talent and do a great job. For this we all thank you.
By the way David, I see you're also real close to 10 million views. Good luck hitting 110k tonight!
I was terrified when I installed my first nuc all by myself after having handled bees all of twice before that. But they swirled around me, checked me out, then got on to setting up house. So installing my second nuc was far less stressful. I've had bees for two years now and there have been exactly three stings in my bee yard so far. They're usually quite gentle bees.
My first sting in my second year of beekeeping was actually kind of a relief, after the two times I've been tagged by wasps and the resultant shrieking and jumping around (I don't react well to sudden sharp anything, whether it be noise or pain), turns out that for me, they're kinda like getting stuck with a sewing needle, which I do to myself rather a lot.
I still work my hives fully suited up and gloved and I even tape over the velcro tabs over my zippers because if I can stick my finger in there and get to my veil, a bee could make it... but I'd had nightmares before of getting stung and in my resultant freakout, dropping a frame or something important and making everything worse... also it's a relief to find out that bee stings are not on the very long list of things I'm allergic to, that was another concern I had.
The second sting couple weeks ago confirmed that I still don't react too badly to bee stings, that one felt like someone plucked a body hair, didn't realize I'd been stung till it started to burn a little and then I found the stinger in my pants. I put a baking soda paste on it right away, took out the sting and I only had a red spot for a few days, no itching or swelling like I've heard some beekeepers get. I'll probably always go fully suited up and gloved (I don't like the feel of insects on my skin) because that's what keeps me as confident and calm as I can be out there. I sort of approach beekeeping like I did horseback riding, do everything as safely as possible to prevent incidents, but know that they're going to happen and you'll just have to deal with it when they come up, then get back in there and do what needs to get done.
David, this is a great word - It will preach!
Thank you
Congratulations on 100,000 subscribers! YAY! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for sharing your stories with us new bee keepers. Best wishes
Great video David! We all appreciate your knowledge and mentorship!
Great Job David! So close to 100k! Congrats! God bless ya David!
Thank you very much! It's finally a count down situation!
You're at 100K! Oh man, congratulations!!!
Best advise I share with young people I meet or work with “Fear steals Life!”
Thanks for your great videos and all your time David. 🎉🎉 100,000 🎉🎉
So true! Thank you for helping me reach 100,000
David, what a wonderful motivational speech weaved into a discussion about bees! 🤗
Congratulations on making 100,000 subscribers! You make such great videos on bee keeping. You have helped me tremendously on my bee keeping journey. I just installed my winter bee kind and I'm prepared to get through my first western New York winter with bees. Thanks again David!
So, so. nice of you to say. Thank you for being part of my channel.
This is 150% accurate. Well said
I have had my hive since May of this year. I have NEVER found my queen. I know she's there from the eggs and different stages of larvae I see. My problem has nothing to do with fear at all. My problem is I am partially color blind and all of the colors of the moving bees blend together. The non-moving eggs and larvae are easy to find. As long as I can see evidence that like that, I am not going to worry myself trying to actually spot the queen herself. If I stop seeing eggs and larvae progressing through their various stages, I will hit up my local bee club and get some help from some of hte people there.
PS Congratulations on 100,000! Most people go to bed at 10:00, I am usually crashed out by 9... 11 is late LOL 🤣
It rolled over at 1:27 am 😄 Thanks for doing your part!
Congratulations on clearing the big 100k. You put in the effort and are constantly figuring out how to keep fresh topics🏆
Congrats on your 100,000 Subscriptions. Fear is a good topic to discuss. But, slow and steady is the way. No fear if you are protected. Most importantly, natural, minimal invasive inspections to the colonies is the best approach. Most beekeepers, are their worst enemies....just like how we deal with our lifes. Less us more. Live with nature....not to control it.
Dave, this is one of the best! You could add this to your online curriculum. I related to many of these points that I would have loved to get myself “grounded” before I started beekeeping eight months ago. You have been there virtually (with my mentor here in NC) and I plan to stay aligned with your logic and dedication to us all! Thankful in Cashiers, NC. Happy Thanksgiving!
The hive you're sitting next to must be the hive my queen came from. Most hives I can work in shorts, a t-shirt and a veil. The package I got last spring makes me wear the full suit with the zip-on hood. It's worth it though. It's also my best producing hive.
Great Talk David! Love your teaching style!
I been following you so long learned a lot from your video. Thank you. I got so excited you made 100k 🎉🎉🎉 congratulations
Dave, Great video as always. Congrats on 100K subscribers!! Please keep the videos coming!
I’m entering year four of beekeeping. My fear actually increased and then I found out I’m allergic which caused it to increase again. I try to remain calm and focused on what I’m doing. I try not to rush.
I'm laughing as this fear is me through and through. It is easy to become overwhelmed. Not to worry, I have a plan for the coming year.
You loose your fear when you get more experience and you forget to be scared. It helps if you give priority to a really good bee suit. I haven’t been stung since four months ago since I invested in a really good all in one suit. My first bee colony was evil and only changed when I replaced the queen. They stung everyone in the vicinity as well which made me very unpopular. All okay now two years later.
You certainly touched on a nerve with me about life fear.. I dearly love motorcycles and after a moderately painful wreck I’ve been unable to ride only because of irrational fear. Guess it’s my giant bee stinger.
My wife rolled one of our trucks on black ice one winter and she refuses to drive on ice and snow.
Fear of falling and fear of aloud sound. You are correct. Been wanting to do this for years. I didnt ruin most of my life with the usual suspects drugs, alcohol, or crime, it was the pursuit of comfort. This year im Facing my fears. Maybe I will rent or borrow a space for 2 hives.
Enjoyed this episode ...good life messages, still trying to get courage to put your ultimate course on my credit card ......hoping for cyber Monday deals ...
Congratulations on reaching 100,000 subscribers!!!
Thank you!!
David, Congrats on 100K . Great tip at the end of your video. I have Fall hive inspection fear! I'm afraid I'm going to accidently kill a queen 🐝 , I'm afraid that I'm going to start a robbing frenzy. Plus, the hives are a little more testy in Fall. Needless to say, I put off Fall inspections because of fear.. all due to past mistakes. Thanks for the push to conquer my fears.
Thank you Carla!
I was going to say courage but I will finish watching to see if I am in the ball park with your thinking.
Close enough 😄
Stings are keeping me from being a bee keeper:) I love bees and honey. I would be an awesome bee 🐝 keeper.. But, LOL I do not want to be stung.
Hi Lisa, none of us like being stung. Suits and gloves.
Congratulations David on 100k subscribers!!! I have been keeping bees for 6 months now and I have very much appreciated your videos!
Is there a good time to put on the candy board?
Thanks Jason! I put my candy boards on usually around the first day of winter, give or take a week or two.
@@beek I have been hearing that opening the hive breaks the propolis seal, and I agree, but the theory is that the bees cannot fix this seal in the winter and that could be bad for the hive with too much airflow. My question is, when I put the candy board (that I bought from you, thank you) on my hive on a 22 degree Utah day in December, I should be fine to hurry and place the candy board on top, but should I stress about the bees not being able to create a new propolis seal?
The propolis thing sound cool, but I've noticed it has not been a problem for me. But I do have to place something heavy on the top to keep it all together. 22 is fine if you work fast.
Great. Video for bees and life, thanks 🐝😁
I appreciate the kind words and feed back.
Wow 100K...wah-hoo!! Congrats! 👏
Thanks Michelle!
Congratulations for hitting 100k!
Thank you!
Congratulations! 🎉
🎊 Congratulations on 💯 k 👏 🙌 💙 ❤️ 💖
Thank you so much Lanah, all because you've subscribed for 9 months. I appreciate it so much
CONGRATULATIONS ON 100K!!!!
Thanks!
Great video, Congratulations on your 100k
All because of you Lou!
Excellent video David
Many thanks!
Great video David. What you say is true. I'm not afraid anymore but I understand how fear can interfere with everything.
QUESTION FOR YOU: I'm getting my second hive next year, and will need to keep it close to my first hive because the location is the sunniest place in the garden. Yet should I have the entrance to the second hive pointed in a different direction from the first one? Or does it matter? Thanks
A future video, great question.
Congrats on the milestone 100k
Thank you so much 😀
Congratulations on 100k subs!
You played a big part Luke, thank you.
My first bees where very meen, I was 15 . Now I'm 52 tomorrow, my bees Now are so gentle. I wish the first hive I had where. But it helped me over come my fear by being smart about it.
Nice.
I wanted to be the first to congratulate you but it looks like I’m just a little to early! As always another great video!
Thank you
I have seen bees roll out of a bee hive like angry little aliens. The hive had been closed for a few days. I don't remember why. But, they started to pour out of every tiny crack that opened up. And then they came for the bee suit just looking for even the tiniest of holes. Nothing got in but dang. They were angry bees!
I found this online: Bees don't smell fear. However, they detect fear pheromones released when an animal or human is afraid by the secretion of adrenaline or cortisol. Essentially, their olfactory system enables them to collect scents and establish their meaning. So, even though they don't smell fear directly, they have a keen sense of smell for perceived threats from secretions of adrenaline.
Citizen Scientist 👍
Good life lesson here thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
I've never had any fear of bees... I used to pet them when I was very young.. I have worked the hive in a t-shirt, as seen in my videos.. You will also see I go get my gear as soon as they get agitated, as they do later in the season. I got stung this last season 4 times by wasps (Yellow Jackets, German wasp) it was WAY more painful than the 2 stings I got from my bees...they barely hurt at all, and were a little itchy for a few days.. the wasp stings on the other hand were so bad I had full muscles swelling up in both arms and both legs, I needed cortisone cream to get through and it lasted a few weeks.
My wife got stung yesterday int he hot tub on her pinky and she said for some reason the pain radiated all the way up her arm.
My bees love me and I go that extra mile for them My spare time I just set with them they just sit on me when I work with them I just use a vail and little smoke
No joke when we were young and dumb my friend and I knocked down a bee hive with a rock but I didn’t think he actually hit it so I stop running and that’s when I saw a swarm chasing him.
I have thought to this day me not running didn’t make me the target. I don’t know for sure but boy am I glad I didn’t get it. He had bees all over in his hair and his clothes.
Now on being scared I’m never afraid to admit it for sure. I went sky diving and everyone asked to my suprise why I wasn’t scared in the video. I had to explain I was crapping my pants. But I did what I wanted to do and have be happy about it ever since.
Now as a race car driver I can tell you I can control a car better than anyone who’s timid every time. There’s no competition once you master it. You can get your car sideways and bring it back around if you don’t panic but if you panic it’s done. Prepare for impact
I can attest to this, I've been keeping bees now for seven years now. this season I had some hives that were very 'hot' (aggressive). I opened the hive expecting to do a quick look, no big deal, I didn't have on all of my safety gear. They lit me up, in all my years I've never been attacked like that, I had to get a hundred feet away before they left me alone. I had a panic attack and blacked out for just a moment, as I sat there on the ground I calmed my breathing, got past the dizziness in a few minutes. I got back up went and got on all of my gear this time and went back at it, finished what I needed to do and went home. I still feel the panic come up when I'm recounting this right now, but I don't let it stop me. In my life I have gone through a lot of pain, hurt and real fear the kind you could die from. I have survived so far and I'm better for the experience, it's how you learn, you grow from it, and you're alive. I'm not talking about just the physical, I mean the emotional expression of who you are. How you want the world to know the truly authentic you, to be seen and heard. Fear is there to give you information not to stop you, it's the point of choice, how am I going to move forward. Thanks David
I like what you said that fear is there to give you information not to stop you.
@@beek Thanks, I do a lot of work for myself on Social and Emotional Intelligence. Fear being a real base emotion, it there for everyone the real trick is listening to it with out it taking control. I do the work at The Wright Foundation for Social and Emotional Intelligence, part of the Foundation is it's environmental mission. As part of that mission I have been running their apiary (5 hives at this point) as well as work on restoring about 50 archers of native Wisconsin prairie with the intent to expand it. I live in Chicago proper and have one hive here and the WF campus is in Elkhorn WI. Looking at taking your classes right now and looking to eventually get EAS certified myself since education is a big part of my job with the bees in WI.
My full beesuit and my smoker are my friends. But I've been able to switch to nitrile gloves. There's a lot of truth in this video, but I thing I'm getting better
THANK YOU!
Great video👍👏
Thanks Charlie
congrats on the 100K subscribes
Couldn't do it without GREAT people like you for subscribing for 2 years now.
I thinks you Worked a lot old man take care.
100 k reached, congraz :)
Thank you so much, and a recent subscriber. Cannot have done it without you.