A beekeeper’s uniform: the beekeeper’s suit

When I used to think of beekeepers, one of the images that came to mind was of someone dressed in a white beekeeper’s suit looking after a hive. The bee costume is truly one of the trademarks in the hobby. The beekeeper suit has only one purpose: to keep the wearer safe from bee stings.

The only way to be a successful beekeeper is to be a successful hive manager. This means that you must know what is going on inside the hive, therefore, you must open the hive periodically. That means putting your body among hundreds of buzzing bees. OH!

Honey bees are generally good natured and try to avoid humans. They only bite if they are being threatened or if their home is threatened. When you enter the hive, they feel that their home is threatened. The reason you use the smoker is to calm the bees. For those who become more aggressive, you need protective clothing.

The full beekeeper suit provides the most complete protection. It consists of a complete suit that covers the entire body. A good suit will be quite “baggy” and baggy. If the suit is too tight, it could easily be pinched through the fabric of the suit. The suit should also have a full closure around the ankles and wrists to prevent bees from entering the suit. A full outfit also includes a hood, or at least a wide-brimmed hat and veil. The veil gives you the ability to see and at the same time protects your head, face and neck.

One problem with bee suits is that they tend to get hot. IF you can find one that allows some ventilation, you will feel more comfortable. Bee costumes come in many styles, fabrics, and prices. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

Don’t forget that your shoes are part of your bee costume. You should wear shoes that do not expose the lower legs and ankles.

Gloves are optional. Some beekeepers say that heavy gloves restrict their dexterity and cause them to have buttery fingers when working with the hive. This agitates the bees more than working with light gloves or without gloves.

They say that animals can smell fear. I think bees can “smell” lack of confidence. The first few times you open the hive you will feel uncomfortable and you will not be sure what you are doing. Therefore, for the first season or so, I would recommend that you wear a full beekeeper suit. Once you have gained some experience, you will be more confident and the bees will notice, they will also be more used to you being in the hive. At this point, you can better decide whether or not you need the full suit or just baggy clothes and a veil.

If you are stung by a bee, it is best to stung your hand. The stinger is easier to remove because you can see it better than if the stinger were in the face or neck. The hand is also harder and less sensitive than the face.

It is a fact of life that if you raise bees, sometimes they will sting you. A full beekeeper suit will minimize the chances and is well worth the cost.

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