Best glove?

[pjb1972]

Hi all can anyone recommend a good set of gloves and and hive smoker many thanks

 

[B+.]

Hi all can anyone recommend a good set of gloves and and hive smoker many thanks

The ones you don't have to use.

Seriously...I bought a Dadant smoker a few years ago....never use it! I bought a box of blue nitrile gloves...which I do use.
If you have bees that need excessive protection, I suggest that you should spend your money on better bees rather than equipment that only encourages you to use bees that need such equipment.

 

[Finman]

I suggest that you should spend your money on better bees rather than equipment that only encourages you to use bees that need such equipment.

That is the best advice.
.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've never been completely confident with nitriles so I use milking gloves which are a tad thicker but I found stings go through marigolds on occasion so it's down to the bees and technique.

 

[Thymallus]

I suggest that you should spend your money on better bees rather than equipment that only encourages you to use bees that need such equipment.

Investment in good stock is always good advice.

For what it's worth, investment in a large size smoke is good, it will burn material that struggles to keep going in smaller ones. Even if you don't need to use it very often if the bees are of good temper.

 

[Swarm]

Me too, nitriles tear and fall apart and you end up with flapping bits plus you'll never get another pair on with sweaty hands.
Marigolds for me.
Longer cuff is more imortant because they can sting through the gloves anyway. Long cuffs prevent them going in your glove. That's not too nice.

 

[Thymallus]

I've never been completely confident with nitriles so I use milking gloves which are a tad thicker but I found stings go through marigolds on occasion so it's down to the bees and technique.

Nail on head, it is a confidence thing with nitriles. And even when you are comfortable there is always the hidden bee under the frame lug.
But sometimes the bees determine the gloves! I have an extreme propolis hive that has to be examined to be believed, tears strong nitriles to bits. Have to examine with leather....which become webbed and need freezer treatment afterwards.

 

[B+.]

Nail on head, it is a confidence thing with nitriles. And even when you are comfortable there is always the hidden bee under the frame lug.
But sometimes the bees determine the gloves!

So true...
I wouldn't wear them at all except I'm trying to implement barrier handling incase there is ever foulbrood in the area

 

[Thymallus]

So true...
I wouldn't wear them at all except I'm trying to implement barrier handling incase there is ever foulbrood in the area

Hey they keep the propolis and all the rest of the grunge off your hands. Glove-less beekeepers make me grin....Just don't shake hands with them after a hive inspection.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Glove-less beekeepers make me grin.

Beekeepers dressed up like spacemen in their bee suits do the same for me.

 

[Thymallus]

Local mongrels and Cornish Amms will do that for you!

 

[Millet]

I put a link up a while ago regarding what gloves i use but i got ignored..
They are tight fitting and thick.. bee's can 100% not get through them and all you need to do is wash your hand's with the gloves on as you would without them on..i also use the same type of gloves when doing mole control and i'm onto my third year with the same pair.. the only downside to them is they make your hand's sweat..

 

[Hivemaker.]

Local mongrels and Cornish Amms will do that for you!

I have several colonies of Amm's, don't need a bee suit when working them either.

 

[Thymallus]

I have several colonies of Amm's, don't need a bee suit when working them either.

Are they Cornish though?
I have a couple of colonies of Amms from Ireland....which are fine.
Still not 100% confident in the no suit, but working on it.

 

[B+.]

Beekeepers dressed up like spacemen in their bee suits do the same for me.

I would sooner see people dressed up in beesuits than see them being stung by agressive bees.
As for gloves, it isn't a macho thing. Its a test for how they respond to human skin. I would rather test them for real rather than have a nitrile layer between me and the bees but its a compromise

 

[Hivemaker.]

Are they Cornish though?

No they are not, but i expect i would get on fine with them as well.

 

[Thymallus]

You little bee whisperer!

 

[Hivemaker.]

You little bee whisperer!

The secret is to have no fear, plus never shave, don't use smelly substances on your body, especially soap, don't wash too often, only bath/shower once a year (whether you need it or not) and don't change your cloths too often.

 

[Thymallus]

You have an understanding wife!

 

[pargyle]

Hi all can anyone recommend a good set of gloves and and hive smoker many thanks

My smoker was a cheap one from Latvia on ebay .. double skin - not the best finish but works fine. I never use it on the bees - just have it going as a comfort blanket. £12.50 inc postage.

Gloves .. I don't get stung much but if I do it's usually on the hands and because I've inadvertently trapped one of the little darlings. So .. I don't like stings so I tend to use a pair of marigolds and put a pair of blue nitriles over the top of them. The stings can't get through the two layers and when the nitriles get stuck up with propolis it's easy to put another pair on top.. You can still feel the bees with this combination which is important if you are going to avoid squashing bees. I've never liked the leather welding gauntlets and have only ever resorted to using them on a colleagues hive from hell. (I'd agree .. if you need these gloves you need a different queen !)