If you’re just beginning beekeeping, consult an allergist about any potential allergies you may have to bees, suggests Flottum. “By the end of the summer, you may have been stung a few times, no matter how careful you are,” says Flottum. And it’s likely when working with bees that, sooner or later, you will be stung. However, for many people, a sting is just temporarily painful. If you have a severe reaction, such as swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, nausea, or dizziness, you need to be seen immediately for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, which can be fatal. A topical steroid ointment or oral antihistamine can relieve itching. If possible, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. But you also should be able to move freely so that your movements aren’t awkward or you don’t trip over excess material.Īccording to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the first thing to do is use something stiff, like a fingernail or credit card, to scrape away the stinger and venom sac. The rest of the outfit should be loose for the same reason, says Flottum. The veil or face covering should be held away from your face so that the bees cannot penetrate the mesh to sting you. “You need something you can wear during summer days when you need to be working with the bees.”Ī beekeeping suit that doesn’t fit properly will not do its job to protect you. “In the heat of summer, it gets hot fast in a beekeeping suit,” says Flottum. Material that has a smooth texture is preferred because anything with a rough or fuzzy texture also mimics the coats of the bees’ natural predators, says Flottum.Ī beekeeping suit covers you head to foot, so it can become quite uncomfortable in some conditions. That’s because these colors don’t mimic the dark colors of their natural predators, such as bears and raccoons. Lighter-colored materials, such as white or khaki, are best because they’re non-threatening to bees, says Flottum. What to Look for in Beekeeping Suits Light-colored material But for hot climates, consider Humble Bee Aero Beekeeping Suit with Round Veilfor its breathable, aerated mesh fabric. Our top pick is BJ Sherriff Apiarist Full Suit with Integral Hood for its quality, durability and long history of product excellence in design. Material: Cotton-poly blend | Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL (custom sizes also available) | Color: White (custom colors also available) | Included Accessories: Fencing veil The nylon mesh is Sherriff’s proprietary ClearView, which allows you to see through clearly unlike less expensive veils that are made from mesh that has square holes which can obscure your view. The collar, front and ankles have heavy-duty zippers, with elastic at the waist and ankles for a better fit. It’s estimated to have a 15-year lifespan, so you won’t need to replace it after a few seasons. It’s a style that’s still in use and copied by many other manufacturers today.įor total protection, this suit is unmatched for performance and durability. Started in the UK in 1968, the company founder created this full suit design that has an integrated hood (also called a “fencing veil”), which can be unzipped and thrown back to rest on the shoulders when not needed. Sherriff is a well-respected purveyor of beekeeping clothing and accessories.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |