the best veil ..... thoughts please ?

[Somerford]

So having started out 28 years ago with a simple over head veil tucked into a shirt to a smock box type veil and finally a full suit with a wide ring veil I thought I'd got a good bee suit until today.

I was rather hot in a shirt underneath and jeans when I got a stabbing pain between the shoulder blades as a madam found her stinger would pregnate 2 layers of sweaty clothing. Then followed a few more to damp shoulders.

What is the most bee proof (sweat proof) bee suit out there ? I ended up wearing a British army smock over the lot.

KR

S

PS I also removed 15 supers of honey off 7 colonies no wonder they were angry

 

[dpearce4]

So having started out 28 years ago with a simple over head veil tucked into a shirt to a smock box type veil and finally a full suit with a wide ring veil I thought I'd got a good bee suit until today.

I was rather hot in a shirt underneath and jeans when I got a stabbing pain between the shoulder blades as a madam found her stinger would pregnate 2 layers of sweaty clothing. Then followed a few more to damp shoulders.

What is the most bee proof (sweat proof) bee suit out there ? I ended up wearing a British army smock over the lot.

KR

S

PS I also removed 15 supers of honey off 7 colonies no wonder they were angry

sod the bees being angry I'm mighty pissed off that your doing so well lol.

PM Hachi he has a suit from the USA which is supposedly sting proof with airholes.

 

[Bee Bumble]

I have a vented suit from Mann Lake which is cool to wear and sting-proof so far (2 seasons). It is made from 2 layers of plastic mesh with a foam layer between so the bee stinger does not reach the skin. However, I am concerned that the foam may get thinner over time.
Thornes sell a version which is cheaper but I have not worn one yet. I think Maisemore also sell one too.
I am told BB wear have a 'sting-proof' suit but I do not think it is cool to wear - ask them.
Finally, you could buy a giant hornet-proof suit from Japan if you have about £1000 to spare, but they are hot to wear anyway.

 

[Obee1]

So having started out 28 years ago with a simple over head veil tucked into a shirt to a smock box type veil and finally a full suit with a wide ring veil I thought I'd got a good bee suit until today.

I was rather hot in a shirt underneath and jeans when I got a stabbing pain between the shoulder blades as a madam found her stinger would pregnate 2 layers of sweaty clothing. Then followed a few more to damp shoulders.

What is the most bee proof (sweat proof) bee suit out there ? I ended up wearing a British army smock over the lot.

KR

S

PS I also removed 15 supers of honey off 7 colonies no wonder they were angry

I have three different suits from different suppliers. They are all pretty good at keeping stings out - until I open a nasty colony - then strings get through all of them. I have found that to be really sting proof one has to wear another layer - and it gets very hot and uncomfortable. I would be surprised if there is a suit that is both sting proof and cool to wear - I should rephrase that. Not sweaty. Obviously a bee suit is cool as beekeepers are really cool.

 

[madasafish]

Ultra Breeze Beekeeping Suit with Veil

Read the reviews: http://tinyurl.com/zny2p4q

beekeeping acquaintance has one.. specially imported.. He love it.

 

[Motobiman]

I find a thin fleece underneath wicks the sweat away and seems to snag the sting before it reaches my skin.
Little b got me through two layers of gloves though the other day.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If I have to deal with a particularly agressive colony I wear the same long sleeved anti wicking shirt as I wear under my flak jacket, seems to keep me cool enough and keep the stings from penetrating far enough to hurt.

 

[Gribbee]

My Ultra Breeze is excellent, on hot days I have worn it with only a pair of shorts underneath and no stings. They are a little heavier than conventional suits but if there is a breeze blowing you can feel it.

 

[Magwat]

When I bought my present suit, 7 years ago, I was advised by the BBWear salesperson to have it really baggy - I am 5' 2" and my site is a medium. I wouldn't win any fashion prizes but I have only ever had one sting through the suit, when I squashed a bee between my arm and body when lifting a heavy box. Because the suit is baggy it doesn't pull tight when I move or bend over and even if there are bees on the suit they don't sting through the loose fabric.

 

[domino]

I just sweat, I figure if I'm dumb enough to take a hobby that requires you to put on a boiler suit and carry a tin box which is on fire I deserve everything I get.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

If I have to deal with a particularly agressive colony I wear the same long sleeved anti wicking shirt as I wear under my flak jacket, seems to keep me cool enough and keep the stings from penetrating far enough to hurt.

I just sweat, I figure if I'm dumb enough to take a hobby that requires you to put on a boiler suit and carry a tin box which is on fire I deserve everything I get.

+1 I took my marigolds off this afternoon after catching a swarm from my hedge into a poly nuc then inspecting 6 hives. Water (sweat) splashed all over the porch floor

 

[masterBK]

If beekeepers weigh themselves before and after a beekeeping session they can work out how much sweat is lost. Going through 28 hives in a beesuit on a hot day results in me losing about 3 lbs.

 

[Swarm]

Only three pounds? You're obviously not working hard enough
For a bad lot, just stick a hoody on under your suit and suffer for a while. I'm like a drowned rat after most inspections and could half fill a wine glass pouring sweat out of my marigolds, I'm considering using leather ones again.
Unless there is a breeze, I reckon I'd still sweat in an Ultrabreeze.

 

[Somerford]

Only three pounds? You're obviously not working hard enough
For a bad lot, just stick a hoody on under your suit and suffer for a while. I'm like a drowned rat after most inspections and could half fill a wine glass pouring sweat out of my marigolds, I'm considering using leather ones again.
Unless there is a breeze, I reckon I'd still sweat in an Ultrabreeze.

And that's an interesting point-I changed to some new gloves as well thinking the old ones were impregnated with a smell that infuriated the bees before (possibly thymol) yet it didn't make a blind bit of difference.

I too find my hands sweat profusely in marigolds (but they do seem to be more bee proof)

I like the suggestion of a baggier suit. Mine is an XL one but as I'm a tall lad (6'4") it does pinch on the shoulders hence the stings. Good call !

Maybe I need to find a baggy tall suit ! I particularly like the ring veil instead of the hoods - just personal preference.

and rubber gloves - where are the best suppliers ? or is the local supermarket the best ??

KR and thanks for the info so far. most interesting

S

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

and rubber gloves - where are the best suppliers ? or is the local supermarket the best ??

Just a suggestion; if going to Bookers to get sugar - grab a box of marigolds, that will last you quite a while.

 

[Somerford]

Just a suggestion; if going to Bookers to get sugar - grab a box of marigolds, that will last you quite a while.

lucky I have a bookers card then ! good call

 

[Swarm]

Went back to leather gloves today, much better. No finger rot, hands still sweat but absorbed instead.

 

[REDWOOD]

Ice packs in your pockets help


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[alfazer]

What about the actual veil material in terms of visibility when looking at young brood? Are there good ones and others to avoid?

 

[chrisb]

fan coold....lol