Is it necessary to purchase a beekeeper’s costume? You don’t have to, but you might want to. The most common sort of beekeeping protective equipment is a suit, but there are many more options to explore. Don’t forget to take care of yourself while shopping for beekeeping gear. Most of us dislike being stung. I certainly do not. However, deciding what to buy to protect yourself might be a difficult undertaking.
Beekeeping safety apparel comes in a variety of styles and materials. You should be able to select one that suits your style and desired level of comfort while remaining within your budget.
It is permissible to use beekeeping protective gear
Are you one of those daring beekeepers who work honey bees without any bee protection equipment? While it is wonderfully comfortable, it is also hazardous. Blindness could happen from an eye sting. Why take the risk?
Even if you start out wearing a complete bee suit and gloves, you may decide to wear less later on. Perhaps all you’ll need is a beekeeper’s veil and hat. That is also acceptable. But don’t allow others to make you feel unsafe in your own bee yard. It is your journey as a beekeeper, not theirs.
Why is it necessary for beekeepers to wear protective clothing?
There are a few good reasons why beekeepers should wear protective clothes.
- To begin with, donning a beekeeping suit or beekeeper jacket significantly minimizes the number of stings you experience. In addition, all beekeepers should wear a cap or veil to protect their face and eyes.
- However, protective bee attire has a purpose other than sting prevention. It instills confidence, especially in younger beekeepers. Honey bees can detect stress. If you feel safe, you will move equipment with confidence and serenity. Wearing suitable protective clothing—at least, a beekeeper’s cap and veil—provides you with a sense of security. This enables you to work carefully and focus on something other than getting stung.
- Bees do not want to harm you. They sting to protect the colony. When they sting humans, however, they usually die later. Wearing a beekeeper outfit or veiling up can actually save some bee lives and yourself.
Collection of Different Types of Beekeeping Protective Clothing for Beginners
Beekeeper’s Hat And Veil
In fact, even if you only use it as a backup, you should have one. Every beekeeper should have a bee veil and a cap. During your next inspection, the sweet, docile hive of honey bees you manage might be having a terrible day. The character of a honey bee colony can change suddenly, and your hive may become aggressive.
Beekeeper hats and veils come in a variety of shapes and color combinations. A veil that attaches to a helmet is available (plastic or fiber). One-piece hats and veil ensembles are also fashionable. An affordable hat/veil combination is ideal for short inspections, taking photos, and allowing buddy to wear them while watching bees.
Best Beekeeping Suits
Full beekeeping suits are the “Cadillacs” of beekeeper safety clothing. Coveralls (complete with long sleeves and pant legs) are zippered to a hat/veil combo. Protective clothing and bee suits are available in a range of materials. A beekeeper can now purchase a bee costume made of cotton, nylon, or a special vented fabric.
Cotton suits (poly cotton) have been a long-standing favorite. This beekeeping suit is machine washable, lightweight, and has many pockets for storage. Cotton beekeeping costumes with a round hat/veil combo or the European style dome hood are available.
Many beekeepers prefer the dome hood because it provides better visibility and does not rest on the beekeeper’s head. According to some beekeepers, nylon bee coats are cooler than cotton bee jackets. They are significantly less weight and easier to store. The slick exterior of the nylon bee suit keeps bees from gripping clothing and stinging.
The ventilated suits are built on three layers of cloth, one of which is a unique waffle layer. This gives the fabric a thickness that prevents bees stinging from reaching your flesh. The numerous openings in the fabric allow the beekeepers to benefit from the prevailing breeze. However, the ventilated suits are all a touch heavy.
Leg bands protect your legs
Cotton bands with Velcro attachments are used as leg bands. Leg bands, which are wrapped securely around the legs of your jeans (or other non-beekeeping clothes), block bees from crawling up your leg.
Beekeeping gloves protect your hands
Beekeeping gloves are the most contentious component of beekeeping protective apparel. Typically, the gloves are constructed of leather or goat hide. Goat hide gloves are softer and more convenient to use. However, even soft gloves can make hive work more difficult. Gloves boost trust in new beekeepers. Consider the quality of your beekeeping gloves before purchasing them.
You want a decent fit to provide adequate grip control whether you choose cow leather or goat hide, insist on ventilated parts. When it comes to gloves, you sometimes get what you pay for, so keep quality in mind when comparing pricing.
Beekeeping clothing accessories
- Boots for the bee yard
Beekeeping Boots come in a range of attractive patterns. There is a pair to suit every style, from pure white to ones with charming bee motifs. You can do without beekeeping boots. Still, if it makes you happy, there is no harm in having a pair.
- Sweatbands are a must
Sweatbands are a must-have item for southern beekeepers. In fact, when it comes to bee protective apparel, a sweatband is toward the top of the list. A decent sweatband or two or three is an excellent investment for any beekeeper who lives in a hot region. You may need a sweatband.
Conclusion
Each beekeeper must pick what kind of safety equipment to wear. The most important thing is that you enjoy your bees while feeling at ease. That is all there is to do.
