No matter how well you rethink your procedures, or what tools you have available to make beekeeping easier on yourself. Sometimes in the end, it just comes down to the fact that you need a little help from a friend.

So what are some effective ways in which you can recruit some help in maintaining your beehives?

• Cash - Probably the most effective, and obvious way is to simply pay someone a set fee to maintain your beehives. This fee would vary depending on how much labor you want from them. Do you only need their help once a month and only assist you with a little lifting while you do everything else? Or do you need them to come out multiple times per month and do it all? 

• Products - Instead of cash, perhaps someone would be interested in helping you in exchange for a portion of your honey, wax, or propolis

• Equipment - Perhaps you can find a beekeeper who is interested in getting more equipment (if you haven't noticed... it is quite expensive!) and you happen to have some extra equipment lying around. You can use this to barter for their assistance

• Knowledge - You can also exchange beekeeping knowledge for beekeeping labor. This is known as an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are a very ancient manner in which people with sought-after skills were able to get free labor in exchange for passing on how to perform those skills. There are a plethora of new beekeepers with strong bodies willing to lend a hand in exchange for the chance to work hives with someone who knows what they are doing. 

Even if you are a new beekeeper and don't have the knowledge to exchange YET... don't let that discourage you from this form of barter. There are people out there with no hives but want to have the chance to work with bees. There are also people who just want the chance to work with bees with another person to make the situation a little less scary or intimidating. So even if you are brand new, this can be a chance for each of you to learn together!

• Land Lease - Many people live in areas where they can either not have bees, or are not comfortable having bees. Allow them to place their bees on your land in exchange for them helping you with yours. It is a win-win!

• Think outside the box - Above are just some of the examples of how you can get help with your hives. There are so many more... all one has to do is think of what someone else may want, and give them that in exchange for what you want... help with your bees.