Hi there, my problem with the veil was it came away from the seam, agree the clarity is fine. My bee inspector made the recommendation of tucking the veil inside the suit before washing, but when I called the supplier they said it should be removed to prevent tearing in the machine. Also to keep well away from the Velcro which can also tear it.
I have a full-body suit, but I have been contemplating getting a jacket, because It would be so much easier to get into than a full suit. You asked, "How do you stop bees crawling up inside the suit from the back when you bend forwards?" I wonder whether a belt, fitted firmly around the waist, would hold the jacket close enough to the beekeeper's body to prevent bees from climbing inside the jacket?
Yes that would work but I'm wondering if you are getting bees trying to crawl up your jacket a full suit is indicated anyway?
Me neither, wrists and ankles mainly.
I have mostly jackets .. never had bees try and get up inside from the waist band - I have a couple of full suits for visitors and one bomb proof one for the rare occasion when I've had to deal with a really pissy colony. If I'm doing messy jobs around the bees I have a thin painters bib and brace overall that goes comfortably under the jacket.
I changed to a jacket for pure convenience having hopped about on one leg trying to get a full suit on and wellington boots in the Association apiary car park. A Lyson jacket with round veil from Abelo together with asda cheap jeans works for me and I've sorted out a couple of hives from hell in that ensemble without stings. (Who was that at the back who said where there's no sense there's no feeling?)
I don't use wellies, mostly work boots and during the summer its sometimes just trainers and I've never really had many stings to my ankle until I dropped a box of bees on my foot! Now that smarted!!!!!
I do not like bees crawling anywhere on the inside of my clothes!
Sorry, I wish I could help. It must take me 30 seconds to get into my suit which is far short of your requirements. I didn't realise your garden was a potential danger zone.
How do you protect your head while wearing a dickies overall?
Having recently had a massive localised reaction to a sting on my wrist(I was digging in the veg patch when the little blighter crawled up my sleeve!), my GP has advised me to very careful around my hives. He initially suggested I might want to reconsider bee keeping but I think the look of horror on my face told him that this was unlikely to happen so he suggested have a look for better protection. Anyway I’ve been looking at sting ‘proof’ bee suits and there are several on the market ranging from ridiculously expensive to quite reasonable. This is the most reasonably priced and its uk/ Welsh made so this pleases me! Sentinel Queen Bee Women’s Beekeeping Suit
Has anyone got a view or experience of these suits (or any others)?
Velcro or parcel tape around the wrists and a double layer of light clothing under my beesuit is enough for me. Rarely stung and if I do get one it is usually my fault.
