Bee suits, jackets, veils and gloves: how to choose protective clothing that fits and works.
A good bee suit is what lets you work a hive calmly instead of flinching at every bee. For most beekeepers, the best choice is a ventilated three-layer mesh suit. It stops almost all stings and stays far cooler than cotton on a summer afternoon. If you keep bees in a cool climate or want…
Beekeeping gloves protect your hands and forearms from stings while you handle frames. The best beekeeping gloves for most people are goatskin gloves with a long canvas sleeve and a ventilated mesh band at the wrist. Goatskin is thin enough to feel a frame and tough enough to stop most stings, and the long sleeve…
A bee jacket covers you from the top of your head to your waist, with the veil zipped on. It is the favorite protective gear of many experienced beekeepers: cooler than a full suit, and quick to pull on for a ten-minute check. The best choice for most people is a three-layer ventilated jacket, which…