Proper protective gear

Wear a complete set of protective gear every time you work with your hives to prevent bee stings. A full setup includes a ventilated bee veil covering your face and neck, leather or goatskin beekeeping gloves extending past your wrists, and a full bee suit or at minimum a jacket with elastic cuffs. Choose light-colored gear, since dark colors and rough textures provoke defensive behavior in bees. Ensure zippers, velcro closures, and elastic bands seal tightly so bees cannot crawl inside.

Why It Works

Protective gear creates a physical barrier between your skin and the bee's stinger. Ventilated veils allow airflow while keeping bees at a safe distance from your face, the area most targeted during hive inspections.

Tips

• Inspect gear before each use for tears, loose seams, or broken zippers
• Tuck pant legs into boots and secure with rubber bands
• Avoid wearing perfume, cologne, or scented products when working hives
• Wash gear regularly to remove alarm pheromone residue from previous stings