2.1 Personal protective equipment (PPEs)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the clothing and gear a beekeeper wears to keep stings, propolis and dirt off the body while working in the apiary. Honey bees defend the colony instinctively, and a disturbed colony can release many stinging bees within seconds. Proper PPE lets the beekeeper work calmly, which keeps the bees calmer too, and it protects the face, hands and feet where stings are most likely and most painful. Example: a farm that inspects its hives every fortnight issues each worker a suit, gloves and gumboots before any hive is opened.

Bee suit

A bee suit is a full-body garment, usually a one-piece overall or a jacket with matching trousers, that keeps bees from reaching the skin. It includes a veil that protects the head, face and neck, which are the areas where a sting is most dangerous and most likely to cause swelling that blocks vision. The suit is worn over ordinary clothing, so it should be loose enough that stings cannot reach the skin through the fabric. Example: an apiary with several workers orders suits in small, medium and large sizes so that workers of different heights can each work safely at the hives.

Features of a good bee suit:

• Light colour: White or pale colours are calmer for the bees, while dark colours tend to provoke them because they resemble animals that raid hives.
• Thick, tightly woven fabric: A sting cannot easily pass through thick fabric, and a tight weave also keeps out bees that crawl.
• Loose fit: Fabric that does not cling to the body keeps the stinger from reaching the skin and lets the beekeeper move freely.
• Secure veil: The veil should stand clear of the face, with a fine mesh that gives clear vision. It should be attached to a hood or fitted with a cord that closes it firmly around the neck and shoulders.
• Elasticated or closable cuffs and ankles: Elastic or Velcro closures at the wrists and ankles stop bees from crawling inside.
• Covered zips and pockets: Zips with a flap of cloth over them, and pockets that close, leave no gaps for bees to enter.
• Ventilation: Breathable fabric or mesh panels reduce heat stress, which matters when inspections are done in warm weather.

Steps for putting on a bee suit:

1. Check the suit for tears, loose stitches, damaged zips and holes in the veil mesh before putting it on, and repair or replace anything faulty.
2. Remove watches, rings and strong-smelling items such as perfume, because these can irritate bees or become trapped under the suit.
3. Put on thick socks, then step into the suit, or put on the jacket and trousers, over light clothing, and pull it fully up over the shoulders.
4. Pull on the gumboots, as described in the gumboots section below, and let the trouser legs hang outside the boots.
5. Zip up the suit completely and press down any flap that covers the zip so that no gap is left.
6. Fit the veil or hood so that the mesh stands clear of the face, and fasten the cord or zip around the neck so that no gap remains.
7. Close the cuffs and ankles with the elastic or fasteners, then put on the gloves and pull the glove cuffs up over the suit sleeves.
8. Ask a colleague to check you for gaps before approaching the hives.

Gloves

Gloves protect the hands, which are the part of the body most exposed when a hive is opened, frames are lifted and honey is harvested. The hands are also close to the guard bees at the hive entrance and the bees on the frames. Good gloves let the beekeeper handle frames safely while still keeping enough feel to avoid crushing bees, which would release alarm pheromone and increase stinging. Example: a training apiary supplies long-cuffed leather gloves to trainees during practical hive inspection sessions.

Types of gloves:

Qualities to look for in gloves:

• Long cuffs: The cuff should reach well over the wrist and ideally the forearm, so that the gap between glove and suit is covered.
• Good fit: Gloves that are too large make handling frames clumsy, while gloves that are too small may be torn or stretched thin at the fingers.
• Sting resistance: The material should be thick enough that a sting does not reach the skin.
• Flexibility: The fingers should bend easily so that the beekeeper can grip frames and hive tools safely.
• Light colour: Pale gloves are less likely to provoke the bees than dark ones.
• Clean and free of old stings: Old stings left on gloves carry alarm scent that can attract further stinging, so gloves should be brushed and washed regularly.

Gumboots

Gumboots are waterproof rubber boots that protect the feet and lower legs from stings, wet grass, mud, hive debris and sharp objects on the ground. They also make the join between the trouser legs and the footwear secure, so that bees cannot crawl upwards. Open shoes and sandals leave the feet and ankles exposed, and ordinary canvas shoes with laces can be pierced by stings and trap bees in the folds. Example: a commercial apiary gives its workers gumboots so they can work among long, damp grass around the hive stands.

Qualities to look for in gumboots:

• Height: Boots that reach at least mid-calf give more cover and make it easy to close the trouser legs over them.
• Smooth rubber surface: A smooth surface gives bees no folds or seams to grip or hide in.
• Light colour: Pale boots are less provoking to bees than dark ones.
• Good grip: A grooved sole stops slipping on wet ground, on hive stands and around the honey house.
• Correct size: The boot should allow comfortable walking and room for a thick sock, without rubbing the heel or toes.
• Sound condition: Cracks or splits in the rubber let in stings and water, so damaged boots should be replaced.

Steps for wearing gumboots correctly:

1. Put on thick socks that cover the ankles, as an extra layer under the rubber.
2. Pull the gumboots fully on, and check that the heel sits firmly and the toes have room.
3. Place the trouser legs of the bee suit over the top of the boots, not tucked inside them, so that bees falling from above cannot drop into the boots.
4. Close the ankle fastenings of the suit around the boot tops so that there is no gap.
5. Walk a few paces to check that the boots do not slip, and that the trouser legs remain closed.
6. Before leaving the apiary, remove stray bees and wipe off wax, propolis and mud from the boots, so that you do not carry bees or contamination away from the site.