A beekeeping suit, jacket, and veil are a beekeeper’s first line of defense against bee stings. Wearing these protective clothing correctly helps keep you comfortable while reducing the risk of getting stung.
When choosing a beekeeping suit, choose one that fits well. A baggy suit or one that is too tight can leave gaps in the fabric where bees can enter.
Cotton
Beekeepers wear a cotton beekeeping suit to protect their skin from bee stings while checking hives. It comes with a hat, veil, and jacket.
It is made from heavy, breathable cotton fabric. It is comfortable and allows your skin to breathe so that you can work for hours without overheating.
It also has gathers around the wrist and ankle to prevent bees from getting into it. Moreover, the hood is designed for visibility. It is a great choice for beginner beekeepers. It is also detachable, which makes it easy to clean and store.
Nylon
If you are looking for a beekeeping suit, it is important that you consider the material it is made from. This will help you choose the best one for your needs.
Cotton has been the traditional choice for bee suits for hundreds of years and it remains a popular option. It is thick enough to prevent stings from reaching your skin and it also offers a loose fit to keep you comfortable during hive handling.
Nylon is not as common but has been used more recently. It is less breathable than cotton and is more likely to stick to your skin as you sweat during beekeeping.
Velcro
A Velcro beekeeping suit is a full-body suit made of cotton or nylon with a hat and veil. The hat sits on the top of your head and the veil falls down from it. It is tucked into the suit, and usually fastened with either a zipper or Velcro.
The jacket is made from thick, breathable cotton with gathers at the ankles and wrists. It is fastened to the hat and veil with a zipper or Velcro.
Hats
The hat and veil are an important part of the beekeeping suit as they protect you from the stings of bees on your head, face and neck. Bee stings on the face or neck are painful and can cause severe swelling and discomfort.
The beekeeping hats and veils are available in many styles and materials. They include hats that are attached to a helmet (plastic or fiber), with a zipper or tie downs, and one piece hat and veil combinations.
Generally, hats are made of heavy-duty woven cotton that is comfortable and offers good protection. Some hats are ventilated, which means they feature mesh and foam panels along the sides that allow air to circulate through them without bees being able to enter.
Gloves
The gloves are an important part of a beekeeping suit as they provide protection to the hands. They are also essential for handling honey.
Bee stings can be painful, which is why it is important to wear the right gloves. Leather gloves are an excellent choice for beekeepers.
Aside from protecting your hands from bee stings, they also offer dexterity and comfort. These gloves are made of high-quality materials that make them durable and long-lasting.
Boots
Beekeepers often use boots or wellingtons (rubber boots) to help protect their feet from stings. Wellingtons provide good ankle support and have a strong grip to avoid slipping when working around the hive or in wet conditions.
In addition, elasticated ankles ensure a snug fit around the beekeeper’s shoes or boots. This prevents bees from crawling up into the pants and releasing their stings.
Bee suits come in a variety of styles and designs. Some of them have separate hats and veils, while others include a hood and veil together.
