Bee Keeping - How to Handle Bees Safely

Though beekeeping can be potentially lucrativeessential clothing that help in bee sting safety.
and also is an interesting activity and hobby, it hasStandard coveralls are the best choice and they
its share of risks and dangers. The various risksare fitted with cuffs and bands. The length of the
and safety measures are as follows.coveralls should be enough to protect your ankles
First and foremost, the risk of honey beekeepingwhile bending to reach the bottom box of the
is getting stung by bees. You have to behive. Ready-made bee suits are also available
prepared for bee stings at some stage ofalong with protective gear that comes in the
beekeeping. Bees sting in order to protectform of bee veil that is attached to the suit's
themselves and their colony. While dealing withbody along with a strong hood.
bee stings, bee sting safety measures andTo provide safety to honey bees and from a bee
medical help should be availed off. The bee stingsting to the handler, gloves play an important role.
should be removed immediately to lessen theGloves can be of plastic-coated material or vinyl.
effect of venom. This can be done by scarping orThey must be strong and pliable in order to allow
plucking the sting.finger movement. Gloves that are attached to
Next step in beekeeping safety is wearingelbow length clothing can prevent bees from
protective clothing and possessing protectiveentering inside through the gloves. Footwear is
equipment. The protective clothing should bealso an important part of clothing while providing
smooth and light-colored as bees reactprotection from bees. Elastic boots are very
unfavorably to dark material or material made ofcommon.
wool. The clothing must be clean as bees hateAnother way of handling bees safely is by using a
some types of odors. You must be sure that thesmoker. Smoke provides stimulation to bees and
clothing does not have holes as bees are mostthey gorge nectar or honey. This process disturbs
likely to enter through these holes by crawling.their defective behavior making them easy to
Once inside, they might panic and sting.handle. Smokers should provide good stream of
A beekeeping hat is another type of protectivecool dense smoke. This will help in controlling bees
gear that is essential for bee safety and safetywhile opening the hive.
of the handler. A ventilated helmet can be usedIf you are using pesticides in and around beehives,
so as to keep the head cool in summer along withtake care not to let the pesticide fumes or
providing free flow of air. A bee veil offersresidue enter the beehives. This may be fatal for
protection from bees outside from stinging thethe bees. For bee safety, make sure you use
face. A folding wire veil that is fitted firmly on apesticides when there is no breeze or wind that
hat is an ideal choice.may carry the residue towards beehives.
Beekeeping suits and coveralls are also one of the