Choosing the Best Beekeeper Outfit: What You Need to Know

Becoming a beekeeper can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby, but you should always keep safety in mind when keeping bees. Your main defense when keeping bees will be a protective outfit. Beekeeping can be dangerous, and even deadly, but as long as you have the correct beekeeper outfit, you can remain safe and have fun!

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Choosing a Hood

The hood or veil of a beekeeper outfit is the most important as you should always protect your neck and face, even if you protect nothing else. It is, of course recommended you protect your entire body, but the head should be a top priority.

Most veils and hoods are one-size-fits-all. You will likely want to get a detachable hood if you have an entire suit, as you can take it off if needed. Choosing a ventilated hood will also give you extra comfort, as it can get hot and stuffy in the beekeeper hoods.

Vest, Coat or Suit

Your next choice should be to decide if you want to wear a vest, which will just protect your chest, a coat, which will protect your torso and arms, or a full suit, which covers your whole body.

Vests generally will either have the veil built in or will be a separate piece. They are made of a protective mesh and cover the torso only. Your arms will be exposed. They are usually well ventilated, but will not let any errant stings into the covered area. Anything that is exposed is open to being stung.

If you choose a coat, most cover from the neck to your waist, including your arms. Some have a hood built in, others you need both pieces. They usually have flexible elastic at the openings of the arms and waist so bees will be unable to enter and get inside your coat. If you are just wearing a coat, it is recommended you have strong denim pants to protect your legs. Though bees can still sting though denim, it can offer better protection than other materials.

If you choose an entire suit, you are getting the best protection. You will be protected from head to toe when you put the hood and veil on. The suit is generally one piece, with elastic and zippers where the wrists and ankles will emerge. They can also zip to some special bee keeping boots.

Gloves

If you are a beginning beekeeper, gloves are always recommended. Most keeper gloves are made of strong leather and generally go from the tip of the fingers up to the mid forearm or elbow. It is important that you make sure your gloves fit correctly. Gloves that are too large can allow bees to get inside and can make it more difficult to maneuver your hands.

Smoker

There is one necessary accessory to any beekeeper outfit...a smoker. A smoker will help keep bees under control and prevent upsetting the hive when you collect honey. The smoker works by calming the bees and by masking the “alarm pheromones” bees will give off when they sense danger. There are many types of smokers available as well as different fuels to use in the smokers.