Beekeeping suit and veil

A beekeeping suit and veil are the protective clothing for working with bees. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, full protection means a well-fitted suit, veil and gloves, and beginners are advised to start with a full suit.

A veil alone protects only the face, head and neck; a bee can still get inside, and drawstrings, Mississippi State University notes, loosen over time. The most protective veil zips onto a jacket or suit: once zipped, bees cannot enter. A jacket covers the torso and head, a full suit the whole body except hands and feet. Footwear should cover the ankle, and suit legs go over the boots.

A suit should not fit tightly: if it pulls across your back or presses the veil to your face when you touch your toes, it is too small. Fabrics are cotton or polycotton, or vented layers of netting for hot weather. Choose light colours: black, dark blue and high-contrast patches attract more stings, and smooth fabric gives a sting less grip.

Leather or goatskin gloves are worn over the sleeves and replaced every one to two years. Clothing should be washed, as dried venom on it triggers defensive behaviour. Use a mild unscented detergent and hang the suit to dry; folded, it may mould. Suit fabric can melt near a hot bee smoker.

Why this matters to you. The right suit does more than stop stings: it lets a beekeeper work slowly and calmly, and calm handling reduces the colony's defensive response.