You can spend some money on these items. Mostly all new beekeepers are fear being stung. A little FYI you are going to get stung. You see some Beekeepers who wear nothing to very little or get dressed up like they are going into battle. The number one thing when it comes to protection is your eyes.......... If you get stung in the eye you can go blind. So at the least wear eye protection.
Do not wear dark clothing, fuzzy materials, or clothing made of animal fiber. Unless you are trying to look like a bear. Bees hate that and will sting you. Light colors are best, white or tan.
I will start out with the Ultra breeze jacket, http://www.honeymoonapiaries.com/suit/suit.htm . I have read great things about it and how it helps you stay a little cooler in the heat. I will let you know more after I have used it.
Beginners who fear getting stung should look into a good pair of goat skin gloves. Many beekeepers you will see do not wear any hand protection they find gloves to be cumbersome and will risk a few stings for the ease of handling. Form fitting gloves seem to work such as used in lab work they not only help in reducing stings but help with sticky fingers from honey and propolis.
Angry bees tend to attack ankles first because they are at the level of the hive entrance. Do not wear dark socks. Secure pant legs around ankles with Velcro or rubber bands to reduce stings.
Do not wear any perfumes or colognes when working with bees because strange odors attract curious bees.
I would suggest beekeepers who fear getting stung shouldn't be beekeepers.
ReplyDeleteAny prospective beekeeper needs to accept that at some point in time, they will get stung. It's all part of the fun of playing with stinging insects.
A beekeeper will find that the more calm, relaxed and easy they move around the hives and handling equipment, the less they will get stung and the less they will agitate the bees into stinging.
One can't be that relaxed and easy moving if they are constantly terrified of being stung. Fear makes one jerky and hesitant, it affects how one reacts to bees presence.
Think of a bee sting as a friendly smack on the arm or wherever from a good friend trying to teach you the right way to do a task. It's a correction that will make you better when you do it the next time.
Just my two cents,
Big Bear