Veil Observation. Your Opinion?

[roostershooter7]

I have two veils that I use from time to time. One is a yellow veil that is attached to a pull-over jacket, and the other is a black veil that I drape over my head and shoulders.

When I am using the yellow veil I find it harder to see larvae and eggs in the comb, but when I wear the black they show up better, and I can see them clearly.

Any reason for this? Does the yellow mess with your depth perception, or something along those lines?

[summerbeegirl]

The yellow is harder to see through. The black is easier b/c your eyes ignore it - like wearing sunglasses. It has no color to distract you. Black absorbs light rather than reflecting it. Yellow absorbs all but the yellow spectrum, reflecting it back into the world. The ease of sight through black screen/netting is why some veils that you buy have black screen to see through and yellow netting to cinch around your neckline. I hope that makes sense...

[Michael Bush]

The black will be more likely to be attacked if you have really hot bees and the yellow less. But you can see through the black better, as you have observed.

[conifer]

Along the lines of what Michael said, when I was reading up on africanized honeybees it was recommended to use lighter coloured veils as opposed to black.

[jim lyon]

All veils that I am aware of use black screen though the netting on top or bottom may be various colors. The "holy grail" of veils that no one has developed that I am aware of is one that uses screen that is black on the inside for ease of viewing through and white on the outside so as not to incite the bees so much. BTW I use a tulle veil that I bought a number of years ago thinking it would come in handy for occasional use, started using it and never quit, it is so much lighter and cooler than anything else I have ever used though it does take a bit to get used to the occasional wrinkle that can affect your vision. I tell others that there are only two kinds of beekeepers: Those that use a tulle veil and those that are too stubborn to try one.

[Michael Bush]

Last I checked www.beeworks.com was offering black and silver veils. The silver, was for AHB areas or very hot bees. The black was for typical bees.

[Barry]

Jim, what brand did you buy? Do you use a conventional bee hat (pith style) with it?

. . . Ace

[jim lyon]

I knew it! I got it from Dadant's and always keep it on a ventilated helmet. It's the type with elastic on the bottom, rarely get a bee inside and amazingly durable (believe me I have abused it for years). They are also so easy to clean up. And they are only $10. But wait theres more, order today and receive a second amazing Tulle veil absolutely free for only a small shipping and handling fee.....

[Barry]

Great, I'll give it a try. I don't like stiff veils that restrict head movement. I'm in need of a new veil anyway.

[jim lyon]

Not sure but you might have to order in the next 20 minutes to get the deal. If you havent used a veil with elastic on the bottom before they are a little "funky" to get into properly but well worth it once it is on. When first using it I assumed that you would be vulnerable to stings if/when the mesh touched your face but found that it rarely happens. There are two strings that tie to a loop in the back and then pass through 2 D rings. You have to put an arm between the loop and the ring on each side and above the string so that the strings actually go under your arms (hope that is clear). The result is a nice gentle seal with the strings passing from the back of your neck under your arms and back up to the front of your neck. The only time I ever have any bee leakage is if you are wearing extra layers of bulky clothing and you don't pull it a little tighter to compensate. In that situation it is also helpful if you have someone pull it over the back of your collar for you kind of like getting a jersey pulled over your shoulder pads if you ever played football. I wouldnt recommend it for use while applying oil based paints though.

[swarm_trapper]

i love the tulle veils the best part of them is that when you go from bee yard to bee yard you don't have to take it off just pull it down off the hat so it sits around your neck.

[jim lyon]

i love the tulle veils the best part of them is that when you go from bee yard to bee yard you don't have to take it off just pull it down off the hat so it sits around your neck.

Yes! Another member of the "Secret Order of the Tulle" That makes 3 that I am aware of. I have to confess that I have been in and out of mine a thousand times and I have never thought of just pulling it down off my hat. That has got to be the best labor saving idea I have ever read on here.

[rwurster]

I use a yellow tulle veil on occasion but i dont tie it, I just stick the strings in the breast pocket of my shirt and do my thing. It's only been used 3 times, but I like the ease of use with a baseball cap. The only drawback is the bees like to hit the dark part of my hair at the back of the cap since the veil cant cover it lol

[Barry]

Mine arrives Monday, so I'll give it the proper initiation into the Order.

[jim lyon]

Hopefully it still comes with directions for use and a lot of secret information including the "tulle handshake".

[Tom Davidson]

Hey there. I use the "hatless folding veil" and absolutely hate it. It mashes up against my face, and I can't see up while working on a ladder doing trap-outs. I have a helmet and am intrigued by the "magic of the tulle". But why are there string tops that fit around the helmet and elastic? Which wears out faster, and does the string tighten at the top at all?

[Barry]

I've had mine 9 months now and I'm a convert. The elastic around the neck seems excessively tight, but I've accepted that. I plan to meet up with Jim one of these days so I can perfect the tulle handshake.

[Tom Davidson]

I've had mine 9 months now and I'm a convert. The elastic around the neck seems excessively tight, but I've accepted that. I plan to meet up with Jim one of these days so I can perfect the tulle handshake.

Thanks, Barry!

[Lburou]

I have two old fashioned veils I've had for almost forty years (from Dadant and somebody else). The Dadant veil has more space between the vertical and horizontal threads....I use that one, it is a lot easier to see through. The older I get, the more important visibility is.

[Katharina]

I've made my own with tule from the fabric store. You can go with green or brown, if you feel that black my be an issue with bees. Haven't had a problem yet. I use mine on a hat from Walmart's camping isle.
http://www.klamathbeekeepers.org/Bee..._a_budget.html