Beekeeping dress - have we got it wrong ?

[Little John]

Today was hard work for me - a lot of hive manipulations.
And although it wasn't all that hot, temperature-wise, I had to change t-shirts and take cold showers several times to keep going. A lot of sweat gradually found it's way into my wellies, and I was squelching loudly by the end of the day. Working with hundreds of hives just doesn't bear thinking about.

Something is seriously wrong with the kit I'm using: contrast western-style dress with the all-encompassing dress that muslim women wear - you know - the head-to-toe covering with just a mesh grid to see out of. Ideal beekeeping garb, methinks.

There's an example of what I'm talking about on Ebay #310669583819 - a Full Length Burka with all the head bits. The dress 'as is' only costs £20 , and they are offering to make them to order.

Now women wear this kind of dress all the time in Egypt and Sudan - places which have seriously high temperatures. My guess is that the looseness of the material adds to the ventilation considerably, as opposed to the tailored-fit of western dress.

So - does the basic idea have any merit ?

LJ

 

[Arfermo]

Somebody might take a fancy to you maybe? Risky.

 

[MonseigneurBienvenu]

Bees crawling up?

Kind regards,
Ana

 

[enrico]

How do you block off the hole at the bottom, bees climb up!

 

[VEG]

your warm in a bee suit and want to wear one of those lol

What do you wear under your bee suit?
If it is really hot I just wear t shirt and shorts, take a water spray with me and spray through the veil.
How many hives are you working?

 

[enrico]

Be grateful it is hot enough to sweat....last year I barely worked one up!

 

[Little John]

How do you block off the hole at the bottom, bees climb up!

Ok - I'm not suggesting that this type of dress be worn 'off the peg', so to speak - there would have to be modifications made (hence my comment about the vendors willingness to modify such garments). Could be an interesting design exercise ?

LJ

 

[VEG]

Be grateful it is hot enough to sweat....last year I barely worked one up!

lol you need to try working in chainsaw trousers in this heat

 

[madasafish]

http://ultrabreezesuits.com/suit/order_2011.htm

is what one guy at our Association imported from the US. Expensive but he no longer sweats buckets.

 

[VEG]

http://ultrabreezesuits.com/suit/order_2011.htm

is what one guy at our Association imported from the US. Expensive but he no longer sweats buckets.

Wow expensive

 

[crazy_bull]

Wow expensive

Cheap, if you have to work a lot in the sun, operator comfort increases your productivity.

 

[VEG]

Cheap, if you have to work a lot in the sun, operator comfort increases your productivity.

How often do we have temps like this lol

 

[crazy_bull]

How often do we have temps like this lol

Oh yes I agree, perhaps not one for this country! Ha ha

 

[REDWOOD]

Bin your Wellies and buy some breathable hiking boots, bees don't like black, ice packs in your bee suit pockets

 

[nematode]

lol you need to try working in chainsaw trousers in this heat

That's just what I was thinking. I have just spent the last week climbing trees in those trousers. I would swap it for a bee suit anyday. Chainsaw trousers are insane, until you try and cut your thigh I imagine.

 

[VEG]

That's just what I was thinking. I have just spent the last week climbing trees in those trousers. I would swap it for a bee suit anyday. Chainsaw trousers are insane, until you try and cut your thigh I imagine.

I love mine in the winter and hate them in the summer. I make the lads in my team take regular water breaks.

 

[Suzi Q]

I am very relieved I moved my little apiary last winter, it was in full sun and now its under some trees, and gets dappled sunlight, and its cooler.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Just wear a BB Wear vest type veil when needed, shirt sleeves rolled up, weather is lovely and so are the bees.

 

[susbees]

Microfibre beesuit straight out of the washing machine...instant aircon. Then water spray it. Sorted.