Small me, XL bee suit
In all our short experience with bees, I’ve already learned a thing or two about bee suits. They are really a necessary part of having a hive, unless you want to be stung more or be paranoid about that tickling on your neck the whole time you’re checking your hive. None for me, thanks. I’ll wear a suit. But what’s really important to know about bee suits? Well, here’s my experience.
1. You can get a full suit or just a jacket. The jacket is less expensive and easier to get on, but the bees can get up under the bottom edge of it.
2. It’s okay to have a bee suit that’s a little big on you. If it fits tight, the bees can sting through it and get your skin. A little extra space between the suit and your next layer of clothing is good. Size small people can wear size extra large suits, they’re just kind of like gangster pants with the crotch clear down to your knees, so be careful climbing over fences with your suit on.
3. Bee suits come with different styles of hoods or veils. The ones with the hat attached to the suit make it kind of hard to turn your head in the suit. The funny looking collapsible ones are actually pretty comfortable as they don’t sit on your head. Our bee friend has a fancy hat and veil with a flexible neck gaiter. Oh, and if you are wearing any of these while driving, you will garner some strange looks from folks you pass.
A variety of veil styles
4. If you have hair longer than about an inch, tie and pin it up really well before getting the hood zipped on. Especially if there’s any kind of breeze. There is just no way to get the hair out of your mouth once the hood is on and you sure don’t want to be unzipping it once you’ve got the bees stirred up.
So there you have it. My beginner’s guide to bee suits from a beginner. Some things it just doesn’t take long to learn.