Bee suits and hoods - any consistency in attachment zips?

[nelletap]

At a meeting with some fellow beekeepers yesterday one described washing an entire almost new all in one, losing the veil and having problems getting a replacement. Does anyone have any tips and does anyone know whether the hood from one suit will fit a different suit? I assume that probably a ring hood won't fit a fencing hood and vice versa.
Or for those who get boiler suits and then buy a hood and veil - does it work well - any tips re suppliers or in general re colour, what to check out as far as features are concerned.
Tricia

 

[circe]

buy the best you can - it is worth it. I bought a cheap in the sale one from Maisie and the plastic type netting you see through is too small and your face is nicely contoured for target practice and it doesn't hold shape after washing. I have a Sherriff expensive yes but excellent - BB wear is also very good - The last thing you need when opening a hive is no
confidence in the head protection part of your kit - whether in full suit or just a jacket. The sherriff and BB both have detachable hoods, easy to hand wash & put the full suit in the machine. You can also get them repaired or replaced for the suit if needed. hope this info is ofhelp.

 

[northernsoul]

Yes I wear a separate veil and boiler suit. The boiler suit is really thick, much thicker than a bee suit, I then wear a veil under it.(bee farmer type from Sheriff) Great protection at half the price of a bee suit.

Make sure you sew the pockets on boiler suit and don't make the mistake I made. I was in agony. Bee sting on love handles ouch.....

 

[Worldsend]

Im finding the veil on my suits constantly need darning -had to resort to that
# as the duck tape I was using was really blocking out my vision

 

[nelletap]

It sounds as though there is a gap in the market here; either a supplier who allows for a modular approach (to replace hoods or veils) or possibly for a more durable and/or machine washable option. Is it the temperature or the action of being tossed around that ruins the veils? Could washing them in a pillow case or similar ease the second problem?
One of the people at the meeting mentioned also gave links to some suppliers of netting so I'll share those -whoops not sure I am allowed to so pm me if interested.
Thanks also for all the tips here - buying a good suit is expensive enough without having to repeat the cost just because of a veil problem. As I am involved in a project I may need to buy an extra suit in case I need to go from one apiary to another and need to change so it seemed sensible to think about all possibilities.

 

[dudley]

I started off with a standard cotton overall and a tuck in veil, worked fine. When my apiary expanded i thought I should invest in some proper gear, so bought a BBwear suit. "It is so light and comfortable, especially when your out all day in the sun" I was told it was the best. Unfortunately I cant spend more than 30mins in direct sun while wearing it. And as a rule I do not usually perspire. Light and easy to move in, but being 100% polyester it does not breath at all.

 

[psafloyd]

buy the best you can - it is worth it. I bought a cheap in the sale one from Maisie and the plastic type netting you see through is too small and your face is nicely contoured for target practice and it doesn't hold shape after washing. I have a Sherriff expensive yes but excellent - BB wear is also very good - The last thing you need when opening a hive is no
confidence in the head protection part of your kit - whether in full suit or just a jacket. The sherriff and BB both have detachable hoods, easy to hand wash & put the full suit in the machine. You can also get them repaired or replaced for the suit if needed. hope this info is ofhelp.

Since reading on here people have put their hoods through the machine, I have washed mine a few times with the hood in a pillowcase and on a low spin. Take it out and spin the boiler suit faster. Job done.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

At risk of hi-jacking thread, but relating to Dudley's post - anyone any preferences to cotton vs poly vs mix?

 

[circe]

sorry for misleading any one but what I meant was a detachable hood is easy for hand washing & the rest of the suit (minus hood) goes in the machine..... I never machine wash the hood - always hand wash it. Wouldn't trust a machine...

 

[fincaazul]

At a meeting with some fellow beekeepers yesterday one described washing an entire almost new all in one, losing the veil and having problems getting a replacement. Does anyone have any tips and does anyone know whether the hood from one suit will fit a different suit? I assume that probably a ring hood won't fit a fencing hood and vice versa.
Or for those who get boiler suits and then buy a hood and veil - does it work well - any tips re suppliers or in general re colour, what to check out as far as features are concerned.
Tricia

A member of local association always washes hers by tucking the veil inside the suit and then zipping the suit up so the veil cannot come out. Works for her, I will try it when I eventually wash my suit.

 

[beebreeder]

I have 2 bb wear lightweight suits and always wash the whole suit as one piece, just do as above do up the veil zip and then zip the whole veil inside the suit, my older bb wear suit is getting towards ten years old.The suits are worn most days through the season as I amcaring for a considerable amount of colonies and rearing queens.