My 1st Suit

[philipm]

Don't forget the extras things like sleeve protectors to stop stings to the wrists and a baseball cap to help keep the veil off yor face. I started with a cheap suit and after some time progressed to a BB Wear suit, I still use the old suit as a standby .

 

[drex]

The advice I was given when I started was to get the best suit I could reasonably afford. I did so and it gave me confidence. Still use it today ( BB wear) but now also have sentinel pro. I bought a cheap jacket for quick tasks and the difference is obvious, but I am now well used to the bees.

 

[Barbie bee]

I have a swienty breeze suit and I love it. Great protection and fit and a cooling breeze on hot days!!! I got it from Hedgerow-honey.co.uk

 

[gmonag]

Don't forget a pair of wellies and tuck your trousers inside the wellies ....

OK, we are beekeepers so there has to be at least one different opinion...

If the suit has elasticated ankle cuffs, wear your suit legs outside the wellies. If you drop a box or frame down your leg, you will get a bootful of bees otherwise.

 

[pargyle]

OK, we are beekeepers so there has to be at least one different opinion...

If the suit has elasticated ankle cuffs, wear your suit legs outside the wellies. If you drop a box or frame down your leg, you will get a bootful of bees otherwise.

Theres nothing more exciting than the feeling of a bee crawling up your inside leg.....

 

[Newbeeneil]

I've got a BeeBasic full suit and I think its ok (although I do need to repair the seam where the mesh joins the hood). I've got a smock from them as well and thats ok. Each to their own I guess

I have a BeeBasic lightweight jacket which is my favourite and I use it for 95% of my inspections as its comfortable and easy to wear. In the 5 years I've owned it I have never been stung through it which is a better record that my Ozarmour suit that I wear on the other 5% (ok that's with nasty hives).
The down side is that the stitching is absolute CRAP and the seams are always coming apart and needing darning. (strange the bees don't seem to find the splits)
I still love it but I don't think I'll get another when this one bites the dust!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Theres nothing more exciting than the feeling of a bee crawling up your inside leg.....

Remember getting a few inside my veil when trying to find the queen in a mad colony.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Theres nothing more exciting than the feeling of a bee crawling up your inside leg.....

Its when they get past your knee and you have a frame of bees in your hand with that elusive queen on it when it really gets interesting!

 

[pargyle]

Remember getting a few inside my veil when trying to find the queen in a mad colony.

Ah yes .... that is even more exciting particularly when one is crawling across your cheek in the direction of a nostril.. it really takes nerves of steel to calmly walk away from the hives and very gently remove your hat or veil without exciting the little beggars ....

 

[Newbeeneil]

Ah yes .... that is even more exciting particularly when one is crawling across your cheek in the direction of a nostril.. it really takes nerves of steel to calmly walk away from the hives and very gently remove your hat or veil without exciting the little beggars ....

TBH if that happens nowadays I tend to squish it between my fingers and let it drop into the vail rather than try to get it out! Then find the gap!!!! Much easier.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

TBH if that happens nowadays I tend to squish it between my fingers and let it drop into the vail rather than try to get it out! Then find the gap!!!! Much easier.

they usually hed for the edge of the veil near the stiffener I quickly pinch her and leave it until the end of the inspection.

 

[Erichalfbee]

they usually hed for the edge of the veil near the stiffener I quickly pinch her and leave it until the end of the inspection.

I had a few and a few thousand trying to get in.
The gap was at the back where the zip meets.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I had a few and a few thousand trying to get in.
The gap was at the back where the zip meets.

yes, I've learnt a long time to regularly pat the areas with velcro to ensure they knit properly. That was the only thing that was telling on my ten year old much washed BBwear suit (now just held as a reserve) I often had the odd bee find their way through where the velcro had started parting again.

 

[Antipodes]

I had a few and a few thousand trying to get in.
The gap was at the back where the zip meets.

The most important thing in a suit is the joins/closure method where the zips meet..... how good they are and how well designed.

 

[user 819]

I've got a BeeBasic full suit and I think its ok (although I do need to repair the seam where the mesh joins the hood). I've got a smock from them as well and thats ok. Each to their own I guess

Nothing wrong with BeeBasic stuff, its's just my disliking of all in ones.

 

[Swn58]

I also have a couple of Buzz Work Wear jackets, that I tend to wear a lot. They are far easier to get on and off and are usually sufficient protection for swarms and generally operating around the apiaries.

 

[thorn]

OK, we are beekeepers so there has to be at least one different opinion...

If the suit has elasticated ankle cuffs, wear your suit legs outside the wellies. If you drop a box or frame down your leg, you will get a bootful of bees otherwise.

On the other hand, if you wear the legs outside the boots, a bee may crawl all the way up and, being frightened by what she sees, sting you.
i speak from experience. I now wear cycle clips.

 

[Sutty]

I've only recently got a bee suit, got to admit they make you feel secure. However many of my inspections historically have been with a simple veil over a t-shirt, over a boiler suit if doing something I expect to cause trouble. It does make you realise the sort of things wind the bees up!!
Similarly not wearing gloves means you feel the bees bouncing off your hands as they get mildly annoyed by too rapid movements Before they decide to sting, and you can slow to Tai Chi pace.
That said, you're in a bad place if they get nasty.

 

[Arfermo]

On the other hand, if you wear the legs outside the boots, a bee may crawl all the way up and, being frightened by what she sees, sting you.
i speak from experience. I now wear cycle clips.

Bees tend to walk upwards, witness what happens with a 'Taronov' board, and for that reason I have always tucked my suit legs into my Hunter (bought at local 'Charlies' store) wellies that have a handy strap and buckle arrangement at the top which ensures no downward access for any fallen bees.

 

[Murox]

I've only recently got a bee suit, got to admit they make you feel secure. However many of my inspections historically have been with a simple veil over a t-shirt, over a boiler suit if doing something I expect to cause trouble. It does make you realise the sort of things wind the bees up!!
Similarly not wearing gloves means you feel the bees bouncing off your hands as they get mildly annoyed by too rapid movements Before they decide to sting, and you can slow to Tai Chi pace.
That said, you're in a bad place if they get nasty.

As in having a plan, moving in a slow, balanced focused way with awareness and deliberation amongst other things?