Beekeepers are stung an average of 58 times per year!8 But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right protective gear, you can prevent the majority of bee stings. Putting on protective clothing layers, like bee suits, isn’t the most exciting part of beekeeping. But, it plays a vital role in helping you continue doing what you love.
Below, you’ll find a list of different types of protective gear for beekeepers. From suits to gloves, you can explore the options that are right for you. The only compensation BeeAware is receiving for the following links is the joy of preventing more bee stings.
BEE SUITS
We’re starting with the protective gear with the most coverage: bee suits. A full-length bee suit is an investment worth making.
With it, you will fully protect your arms, legs, and abdomen. Plus, you can work with your bees without fear of being stung.
When choosing a suit, be mindful of the fabric you choose. The more cotton in your suit, the more durable it will be.
Ventilated garments made with mesh and synthetic blends will require more care but can also be much more breathable.
Humble Bee Ventilated Beekeeping Suit
Get this full bee suit in a size that works best for you, from xx-small to xxx-large. The 50% cotton and 50% synthetic blend will help keep you cool combined with ventilation panels. The veil is removable, and it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Ultra Breeze Jumpsuit
The Ultra Breeze jumpsuit has three layers of ventilated fabric, meant to keep you cool. The zippers run from ankle to hip. The opening allows you to keep your shoes on while getting in and out of the suit. Elastic wrist and ankle cuffs help keep bees out. Lastly, this jumpsuit comes with a hood.
Natural Apiary Apiarist Beekeeping Suit
This beekeeping suit from Natural Apiary is 65% cotton and 35% polyester. The veil mesh is non-flammable and easy to see through. You can choose from an array of colors, and the suit is machine washable.
Humble Bee Polycotton Beekeeping Jacket
If you think you’ll neglect to wear a suit because of the time it takes to put it on, opt for a jacket. While the protection isn’t the same, it is still much better than not wearing any. This polycotton jacket has an elastic waist and wrist, plus thumb holds. You can remove the round veil from the coat when needed. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.
BEE SUITS
We’re starting with the protective gear with the most coverage: bee suits. A full-length bee suit is an investment worth making. With it, you will fully protect your arms, legs, and abdomen. Plus, you can work with your bees without fear of being stung.
When choosing a suit, be mindful of the fabric you choose. The more cotton in your suit, the more durable it will be. Ventilated garments made with mesh and synthetic blends will require more care but can also be much more breathable.
Humble Bee Ventilated Beekeeping Suit
Get this full bee suit in a size that works best for you, from xx-small to xxx-large. The 50% cotton and 50% synthetic blend will help keep you cool combined with ventilation panels. The veil is removable, and it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Ultra Breeze Jumpsuit
The Ultra Breeze jumpsuit has three layers of ventilated fabric, meant to keep you cool. The zippers run from ankle to hip. The opening allows you to keep your shoes on while getting in and out of the suit. Elastic wrist and ankle cuffs help keep bees out. Lastly, this jumpsuit comes with a hood.
Natural Apiary Apiarist Beekeeping Suit
This beekeeping suit from Natural Apiary is 65% cotton and 35% polyester. The veil mesh is non-flammable and easy to see through. You can choose from an array of colors, and the suit is machine washable.
Humble Bee Polycotton Beekeeping Jacket
If you think you’ll neglect to wear a suit because of the time it takes to put it on, opt for a jacket. While the protection isn’t the same, it is still much better than not wearing any. This polycotton jacket has an elastic waist and wrist, plus thumb holds. You can remove the round veil from the coat when needed. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.
BEEKEEPER GLOVES
As a beginner beekeeper, leather gloves provide much more protection from bee stings.
Experienced beekeepers may opt for nitrile gloves, but below you’ll find thicker options.
Natural Apiary Ventilated Beekeeping Gloves
This glove from Natural Apiary is 16-inches long, starting at the wrist. It comes in your choice of goatskin or cowhide while also ventilated for the warm summer months.
Humble Bee Goatskin Beekeeping Gloves
Humble Bee’s goatskin gloves come with extended sleeves and elastic cuffs. It contains 60% cotton canvas and 40% goat leather, and they come in a range of sizes.
Dadant Heavy-Duty Ventilated
Leather Gloves
Dadant is a family-owned company offering an array of beekeeping goods. Their heavy-duty ventilated gloves come in white leather. Instead of an elastic cuff, they’ve added Velcro for a tight fit.
BEEKEEPER GLOVES
As a beginner beekeeper, leather gloves provide much more protection from bee stings.
Experienced beekeepers may opt for nitrile gloves, but below you’ll find thicker options.
Natural Apiary Ventilated Beekeeping Gloves
This glove from Natural Apiary is 16-inches long, starting at the wrist. It comes in your choice of goatskin or cowhide while also ventilated for the warm summer months.
Humble Bee Goatskin Beekeeping Gloves
Humble Bee’s goatskin gloves come with extended sleeves and elastic cuffs. It contains 60% cotton canvas and 40% goat leather, and they come in a range of sizes.
Dadant Heavy-Duty Ventilated Leather Gloves
Dadant is a family-owned company offering an array of beekeeping goods. Their heavy-duty ventilated gloves come in white leather. Instead of an elastic cuff, they’ve added Velcro for a tight fit.
BEEKEEPER HAT AND VEIL
The most essential piece of protective clothing you can wear is a hat and veil.
Being stung in the eye, throat, or face could have terrifying results, primarily if your body responds with an allergic reaction.
There are two styles of veils: fencing and round. A fencing-style veil looks like an upside-down “U,” with veiling only on the front and sides of your head.
The back is covered with fabric. In contrast, round-style veils are attached to a wide-brim hat. The veil falls around you 360 degrees.
Veils all have a system for attaching to jackets and bee suits, ensuring bees can’t sneak inside your protective garments.
Humble Bee Aero Beekeeping Veil
This fencing-style hood contains collapsible mesh and elastic shoulder straps. The 100% synthetic fabric is aerated to keep you cool and a tan color to keep bees calm. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Goodland Bee Supply Hat Veil
Goodland sells a round-style veil made of cotton and nylon mesh. It is hand washable and claims to allow for good visibility.
BackYard Hive Beeguardian Veil
This unique veil from Backyard Hive attaches to bee suits and jackets. You can flip the veil backward when you’d like. Also, the jute helmet comes with an adjustable helmet band.
BEEKEEPER HAT AND VEIL
The most essential piece of protective clothing you can wear is a hat and veil. Being stung in the eye, throat, or face could have terrifying results, primarily if your body responds with an allergic reaction.
There are two styles of veils: fencing and round. A fencing-style veil looks like an upside-down “U,” with veiling only on the front and sides of your head. The back is covered with fabric. In contrast, round-style veils are attached to a wide-brim hat. The veil falls around you 360 degrees.
Veils all have a system for attaching to jackets and bee suits, ensuring bees can’t sneak inside your protective garments.
Humble Bee Aero Beekeeping Veil
This fencing-style hood contains collapsible mesh and elastic shoulder straps. The 100% synthetic fabric is aerated to keep you cool and a tan color to keep bees calm. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Goodland Bee Supply Hat Veil
Goodland sells a round-style veil made of cotton and nylon mesh. It is hand washable and claims to allow for good visibility.
BackYard Hive Beeguardian Veil
This unique veil from Backyard Hive attaches to bee suits and jackets. You can flip the veil backward when you’d like. Also, the jute helmet comes with an adjustable helmet band.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM STINGS WITH THE RIGHT CLOTHING
Only half of all beekeepers wear protective clothing! Don’t be a part of this statistic. Add some protective beekeeper clothing, like a bee suit, to your closet ASAP. You, and your bees, will be glad you did.
