We have several new folks on the forum who are getting bees this season. Comments on a couple of threads have mentioned bee suits, either where to get them, how nice and protective they are, or don't wear them when you're working a hive in view of your neighbors so they don't think there's serious danger. (I'm just summarizing here...)
So, for the newbies, I thought a discussion about what we wear when working our bees might be in order. When I started in 1970, there wasn't much information or alternatives available. Simply stay away from wool, dark colors, leather, etc. I started with boots, blue jeans taped around the top of the boots, an old long-sleeved white shirt, and veil. Gauntlet style bee gloves.
Now, I still wear boots, jeans taped to the top (don't like the little darlings crawling up my legs), and old long sleeved white shirt, veil. If the bees seem cranky, I'll don the gloves after a few stings.
Personally, I don't see the need for an expensive bee suit.
Opinions?
opcorn:
So, for the newbies, I thought a discussion about what we wear when working our bees might be in order. When I started in 1970, there wasn't much information or alternatives available. Simply stay away from wool, dark colors, leather, etc. I started with boots, blue jeans taped around the top of the boots, an old long-sleeved white shirt, and veil. Gauntlet style bee gloves.
Now, I still wear boots, jeans taped to the top (don't like the little darlings crawling up my legs), and old long sleeved white shirt, veil. If the bees seem cranky, I'll don the gloves after a few stings.
Personally, I don't see the need for an expensive bee suit.
Opinions?