Knight of the long stingers

[MartinL]

Let's hope for the best.

Didn't a recently deceased Hollywood starlet sing about that?

 

[Hivemaker.]

To paraphrase an old boy I heard talking at this year's Welsh convention - 'It seems to me that people are cashing in on people's fear of being stung by selling suits of armour, in the end, I pity the bees - people with no concerns about a sting or two are not going to be careful about handling their bees.
Maybe try worm farming instead - no chance of a sting there'

Tend to agree with him, we never wear bee suits here, much more comfortable, especially when its warm weather.

 

[eltalia]

Tend to agree with him, we never wear bee suits here, much more comfortable, especially when its warm weather.

Precisely.
"Warm" being subjective I'll put a number on the conditions here (FNQ - Aussie) which
defines the point beyond which you'd best get well used to adopting a way different
approach to the bulldozer beesuit brigade or get used to either "blimp mode" in
appearance 0r suffer sensitive tingling of many a body part/zone, for days at a time.

Anything between 16-22C/@60% rH is doable in light cotton/denim kit and a veil as
minimal restrictive mobility. Beyond 22C - regardless of humidity - if you haven't clear
vision and 'breathing' shirt and shorts you'll soon be a lather of sweat and beyond
'comfortable' which then translates to stress levels bees hone in on.
Beyond 30C I'd defy anyone to do more than 30minutes in a suit and not dehydrate
to the point the best that could be expected is cramps, the other end of the scale being
sudden onset unconciousness.
Beekeepers get stung, Fact... throw in those venturing into rescues - involving chainsaws
and powertools - and lacking awareness of bees "in a mood" then;
1. murder masses of bees in "saving bees"
2. never progress beyond "rip 'em out, box 'em"
... is the best depth of professionalism ever experienced.

Bill

 

[Madge]

It's a possibility, I took all the frames out, lined them up along the fence, (it helped remove the angry bees and no danger of cooling any brood) then tipped the box upside down & banged it on the ground so it emptied completely. ...

That’s aggressive beekeeping!

 

[MartinL]

That’s aggressive beekeeping!

No need for it with the bees on the cricket field.

Calm as you like, Jacket/veil, no gloves usually the max PPE required, they still have stroppy days (when the jaspers are about + if it gets blustery).

However they often welcome in wasps with the same relaxed attitude are not quick to build up in spring & need to be fed for Winter!

Still need to take a peek at what's going on at the allotment, so full suit ready for later.

 

[Anduril]

Revisit. A better review from one of the Welsh IMYB candidates. Gives a tally of stings to nitriles and suit. https://youtu.be/YLzb1-pNWbA

 

[maddydog]

At the end of the video he said he's going to try it on a nasty hive, I thought he already had!

 

[MartinL]

Revisit. A better review from one of the Welsh IMYB candidates. Gives a tally of stings to nitriles and suit. https://youtu.be/YLzb1-pNWbA

Looked more like a "low budget" advert.
Does anyone have experience of these suits??

 

[Stiffy]

Can’t speak highly enough about my Oz suit, only stings I have taken was down to operator error when I didn’t zip the hood up!
Although from Australia, it was delivered very quickly.
S

 

[GuyNir]

I’m a bit concern hearing it’s easily catches on things. My hives are in a woodland area, lots of bramble around, so I’m not sure...
Real concern?

 

[Beefriendly]

Like any material if you catch it on barbed wire it will rip. It's not delicate and is quite hard to tear, but it's not bomb proof....but it's cool and BProof.
Last summer I was beekeeping in speedos and Oz suit only....it was most pleasant....
My only concern is the airmiles as made in Pakistan---via Oz to UK.

 

[MartinL]

S.W.M.B.O. is pestering me for a decision.
I've nailed it down to;

1. Oz Armour
2. Sheriff S36
3. Sentinel ProII

I was leaning towards the Sentinel, although for my height they say I should have a 37"waist!
I thought I was putting on weight when I struggled to button my 30" jeans.
So, am I going to end up with a suit like the Michelin Man if I go for the Welsh option?

 

[Anduril]

S.W.M.B.O. is pestering me for a decision.
I've nailed it down to;

1. Oz Armour
2. Sheriff S36
3. Sentinel ProII

I was leaning towards the Sentinel, although for my height they say I should have a 37"waist!
I thought I was putting on weight when I struggled to button my 30" jeans.
So, am I going to end up with a suit like the Michelin Man if I go for the Welsh option?

Oz Armour is a similar sized waist.

 

[MartinL]

Oz Armour is a similar sized waist.

So, I'm an unusual size when compared against an Ausie or Welshman,

does this have anything to do with sheep???

 

[Anduril]

So, I'm an unusual size when compared against an Ausie or Welshman,

does this have anything to do with sheep???

No. But it may have something to do with beating the English at rugby.

 

[Bryang]

No. But it may have something to do with beating the English at rugby.

Love it Graham

 

[MartinL]

No. But it may have something to do with beating the English at rugby. ��

So they swell up every 5 years then??

 

[MartinL]

Have gone with the one with best size guide.

Sheriff

 

[manek]

Good luck Martin with the nasty hive. I feel your pain (going through something similar myself).

 

[deemann1]

S.W.M.B.O. is pestering me for a decision.
I've nailed it down to;

1. Oz Armour
2. Sheriff S36
3. Sentinel ProII

I was leaning towards the Sentinel, although for my height they say I should have a 37"waist!
I thought I was putting on weight when I struggled to button my 30" jeans.
So, am I going to end up with a suit like the Michelin Man if I go for the Welsh option?

I went with oz armour medium jacket, I'm 5'11 and skinny 31' waist perfect fit