History of bee suits

oxnatbees · Dec 28, 2021

I've heard Sherriff revolutionised beekeeping when they introduced the full coverage "fencing veil" bee suit in the 1960s. Is this true or just their advertising? Most products are an evolution of earlier ideas, but I've also found sources saying no one used bee suits in the 1940s, just veils. So I was wondering whether there really was a step change in protective gear, whether it was really just one company behind it, and what impact it had on beekeeping.

Poly Hive · Dec 28, 2021

On my site there is a 1930's video with people working hives with a veil and a couple of cuffs at their wrists. Look on Youtube for :

Swarm control and more in 1930's

Shenachie aka PolyHive

Bumble Bee Slim · Dec 28, 2021

Pieter Bruegel drawing from 1568

Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder_-_The_Beekeepers_and_the_Birdnester_-_WGA03528.jpg

jenkinsbrynmair · Dec 28, 2021

Look at the heathland beekeeping filums on yootoob - they wore veils woven from horse hair
There are even illustrations from mediaeval times of beekeepers wearing veils and full beesuits
Sherriff may have the right to claim 'invention' of the fencing mask type veil, but that's about it I think.

pargyle · Dec 28, 2021

Poly Hive said:
On my site there is a 1930's video with people working hives with a veil and a couple of cuffs at their wrists. Look on Youtube for :

Swarm control and more in 1930's

Shenachie aka PolyHive

Lovely film - it's amazing how so little has changed .... Note the insulation above the hives- probably worsted felt and sackcloth .... and now - 90 years on - some beekeepers STILL have not grasped how much this helps the bees. Even in the WBC hive with the feeder on top - sacking around the feeder with some sort of filling and on top of the feeder.