| The first line of defense when working with bees is | | | | more gentle feel of your hand while you work with |
| the clothing that you choose. To keep yourself safe, | | | | them. |
| you need to know what kind of clothing you need to | | | | Something that should not be overlooked is the |
| wear and decide whether or not you need a full | | | | personal hygiene products that we all use. Your |
| beekeeper suit. | | | | deodorant, hair spray, soap, and shampoo all have |
| First let's consider why you need to have special | | | | their own smells which may irritate or worse, attract |
| clothing when working with bees in the first place. | | | | the attention of your colony. You need to be |
| The main reason you need custom clothes is to | | | | conscious of which personal care products you use |
| prevent the honey, nectar, and most importantly bee | | | | and when you use them. Don't put an extra splash of |
| stings from getting on your regular cloths or skin. If | | | | after shave on just before heading out to your hive, |
| you don't wear proper clothing when working with | | | | you will most likely end up as a target of a swarm. |
| your hive and one or more of the bee byproducts | | | | When you are just starting out, the type and quality |
| seeps through, you could find yourself as the target | | | | of the beekeeping clothing you purchase will depend |
| of a swarm as soon as you start removing your suit. | | | | largely on the number of colonies you decide to work |
| Above all else you need to protect your face and | | | | with. If you just have one colony you can get away |
| neck, which is where the veil comes in. The veil is | | | | with some overalls and a windbreaker that is secured |
| basically a fine mesh net that allows you to see while | | | | with duct tape. You still need a good beekeepers hat |
| still protecting you. Sometimes bees will get inside the | | | | with veil, so don't skimp on that purchase. If you are |
| veil regardless of how well you protect yourself. | | | | starting up multiple hives you will most definitely need |
| Don't Panic! Calmly walk away from your hive and | | | | to get a professional level beekeeping suit. |
| remove your veil slowly, only then try and get the | | | | Something that most people overlook is that bee |
| bees out. Never try and remove your head piece | | | | colonies grow. When you are making your clothing |
| near the hive, this could set off a swarm. | | | | purchases keep in mind that a single hive can quickly |
| Professional beekeeping clothing is very smooth to | | | | grow into two or three hives, which will require a |
| the touch. The clothing is made this way to make it | | | | more significant investment in time as well as |
| harder for the bees to cling to it while you work. | | | | equipment. Purchasing the bare minimum clothing up |
| Boots are highly recommended to add an extra level | | | | front is usually good enough to get started, but you |
| of protection for your feet and legs. Once a bee | | | | will soon find that you need higher quality gear. |
| makes it into your shoe or your pant leg they can be | | | | You should also be careful when purchasing a used |
| very difficult to remove safely. Long sleeve shirts are | | | | beekeepers suit. It should be inspected to make sure |
| highly recommended and have the added benefit of | | | | that it is free of contamination and disease. Spending |
| being able to be duct-taped at the cuffs for an extra | | | | a little extra cash on a new beekeeping suit and |
| level of protection. Gloves are recommended for | | | | proper equipment can easily be made up in sales of |
| beginners, but you will find that the bees like the | | | | honey from a healthy bee hive. |