[Max Morgan]

I did a removal yesterday and got stung multiple times through my bee suit on my arms and back. This normally doesn't happen and, for the life of me, I can't figure out what went wrong. Any ideas? I was only wearing a tee shirt underneath.

 

[Moots]

I did a removal yesterday and got stung multiple times through my bee suit on my arms and back. This normally doesn't happen and, for the life of me, I can't figure out what went wrong. Any ideas? I was only wearing a tee shirt underneath.

What kind of suit? Were you positioned in such a way that your suit was pulled tight around where you got stung? (i.e. bending over, reaching, etc. etc.)

Or, maybe you're like me and too much good holiday eating has affected the fit of your suit!

 

[Mr.Beeman]

Sure Max..... just rub it in why don't ya?! lol
We had a removal that went that way last season. The bees were on the defensive and never let up. We took multiple stings through a suit AND jeans.

 

[NewJoe]

I get stung occasionally through my suit. Most of the time its when one gets in a fold or if the suit gets pulled really tight to my skin. Heck I have even been stung through leather gloves!

 

[Michael Bush]

Usually when I get stung, as mentioned, the suit is tight because of my reach or bending or it's too small or it's wet and stuck to my skin...

 

[Tenbears]

Cut outs are the most physically taxing thing one does while wearing a bee suit. We all know that and tend to use lightweight suits when doing a cutout, so we do not get overheated. There in lies the problem. When a lightweight suit gets sweaty it clings enabling the angry bees who's home is being pillaged to get a stinger through. It's a rough life this Beekeeping thing, But someone has to do it!

 

[jim lyon]

A mesh shoulder pad jersey similar to this worn under your coveralls will keep them from sticking to your upper back and shoulders without extra bulk when you are trying to stay cool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-Mens-D...6?pt=US_Mens_Athleticwear&hash=item3a8a25f5ee

 

[butch043052]

Seems like I get stung thru my suit when I'm raising my arms and the bee or bees get underneath my arm and they nail me when I put my arm back down to my side.

 

[Ryanjax]

I got stung in the chin the other day with my suit on. I must have had my head just right to be rubbing my chin against the veil.

 

[Kamon Reynolds]

I got stung in the chin the other day with my suit on. I must have had my head just right to be rubbing my chin against the veil.

Yup had that happen except on my forehead.

 

[TalonRedding]

Thanks for the tip Jim.

 

[TalonRedding]

Cut outs are the most physically taxing thing one does while wearing a bee suit. We all know that and tend to use lightweight suits when doing a cutout, so we do not get overheated. There in lies the problem. When a lightweight suit gets sweaty it clings enabling the angry bees who's home is being pillaged to get a stinger through. It's a rough life this Beekeeping thing, But someone has to do it!

Well said!

 

[Michael Bush]

>We all know that and tend to use lightweight suits when doing a cutout

I'd say my ventilated suites are much heavier, but much cooler and they are what I always wear for a cutout. You can't stop and take a break very well during a cutout so you need to be able to not faint from heat stroke. Ultra-Breeze is hard to beat.

 

[Tenbears]

>

I'd say my ventilated suites are much heavier, but much cooler and they are what I always wear for a cutout. You can't stop and take a break very well during a cutout so you need to be able to not faint from heat stroke. Ultra-Breeze is hard to beat.

I agree totally and would not be without mine either. but have been guilty of the earlier on numerous occasions.

 

[Max Morgan]

What kind of suit? Were you positioned in such a way that your suit was pulled tight around where you got stung? (i.e. bending over, reaching, etc. etc.)

Or, maybe you're like me and too much good holiday eating has affected the fit of your suit!

This community rocks and, thanks one and all for your replies. In rethinking this I think what resulted in so many stings on this particular cutout was the fact that I was lying on my back, underneath a trailer, and my suit was lying flat on my arms, legs, and chest. These particular CA feral bees were also highly agitated. I actually got nailed twice as soon as I got out of my truck and before I even had time to suit up. I also like the suggestion of an Ultra-Breeze bee suit. In addition to the extra protection, it would probably keep me cooler on those 100 + days in Southern California.

 

[barberberryfarm]

I would like to add one more plug for the Untra Breeze suit if I could. Last summer I got stung over 75 times through my cotton/polyester suit. It was 90+ degrees with the humidity about the same and my "off the cheap rack" suit was soaked with sweat after about 10 minutes, which I later found out really torques them off when they get a taste of it. A week later my Ultra Breeze suit came in the mail and I haven't been stung since. Definitely a win-win as there are also no more dead bees from stinging me!!

 

[jimsteelejr]

Sweaty and sticking to the skin get you every time. Its like the bees have radar.

 

[Max Morgan]

I would like to add one more plug for the Untra Breeze suit if I could. Last summer I got stung over 75 times through my cotton/polyester suit. It was 90+ degrees with the humidity about the same and my "off the cheap rack" suit was soaked with sweat after about 10 minutes, which I later found out really torques them off when they get a taste of it. A week later my Ultra Breeze suit came in the mail and I haven't been stung since. Definitely a win-win as there are also no more dead bees from stinging me!!

I'm convinced! Every review on Amazon.com for the Ultra-Breeze suit has been 5 stars. Come this swarming season in couple of months and having completely soaked through my bee suit several times doing removals this past summer, I'll probably pick one up.

 

[virginiawolf]

Wow! The ultra breeze suit really gets great reviews on Amazon. With those reviews and the endorsements on here I may have to get one. In July there was a few days where one thing led to another and I started getting thirsty and by the time I got to water I was dangerously overheated. These suits are pricey but if one will keep me from falling over from the heat with a headache it will pay for itself. I usually just like to where a jacket with a veil but when I had a defensive hive I put on the full suit. I usually get stung kneeling down or bees getting between the gloves and the jacket occasionally up through the pants but that can all be remedied by velcroing things tight which I get complacent about because usually the bees don't attack. When they do I tend to put them back and get away. For a cutout that's not necessarily an option so it sounds like this suit is the way to go.

 

[jredburn]

I wear a baseball cap inside my hood to keep the bees off my face while looking up at a cutout.
I don't wear leather gloves because the bees will sting the glove and that attracts other bees. I use the thick Polyester gloves from a garden store. The bees won't sting them.
I work in African country and some times the bees get really nasty so I carry a spray bottle of soapy water. I squirt the soap straignt up in the air as a mist and let it settle on my hood and back. Then I spray my jeans and ankles. It won't keep every bee off of you but it sure helps.
I also wash my suit frequently and I let it soak in the soapy water, then hang it up to drip dry without rinsing it. That keeps the bees off quite well.
Regards
Joe