5.1 Personal protective gears

Honey bees defend their colonies by stinging, and a disturbed colony can send hundreds of bees at a beekeeper within seconds. Personal protective gear (PPE) places a barrier between the bees and the beekeeper's skin, so that work in the apiary is calm, safe and efficient. Example: a training apiary for new beekeepers insists that every trainee is fully dressed in protective gear and that a first aid kit is at the apiary before any hive is approached. Good gear does not replace good technique, but it lets the beekeeper work without panic, and panic is what usually leads to rough handling and more stings.

5.1.1 Bee suits

A bee suit is a loose, full-body overall worn over normal clothing to stop stings reaching the arms, legs and torso. It is made from thick, tightly woven fabric, usually cotton or a cotton blend, that the sting cannot easily pass through. Example: a farmers' group that keeps a community apiary buys one suit for each member who handles hives, plus two spare suits in different sizes for visitors and trainees.

Features of a good bee suit

• Light colour: Bees tend to react defensively to dark, rough or furry-looking objects, so white or pale colours are calmer to work in. Light colours also stay cooler in the sun.
• Loose fit: The fabric should hang away from the body so that a sting cannot reach the skin. A tight suit lets stings go straight through.
• Closed openings: Wrists and ankles must be fastened with elastic, Velcro or straps so that bees cannot crawl inside. The zip must be covered by a flap.
• Thick, tight weave: Thin or worn fabric allows stings to pass through. The weave should be dense enough that light does not show through easily.
• Pockets with covers: Pockets hold small tools such as a hive tool, but they must close firmly so that bees cannot enter.
• Ventilation: Suits that allow some air movement reduce heat stress, which is important when working in hot weather.

Care of a bee suit

• Wash the suit regularly with mild, unscented soap, because strong perfumes can irritate bees and the smell of old stings can attract them.
• Check seams, zips and the veil attachment for holes after every use and repair them immediately.
• Dry the suit fully in the shade before storing it, so that mould does not weaken the fabric.
• Store it in a clean, closed cupboard away from rodents and insects.
• Replace any suit whose fabric has become thin, because worn fabric loses its protection.

5.1.2 Veil

The veil protects the face, eyes, ears and neck, which are the most sensitive and dangerous places to be stung. It consists of a mesh screen held away from the face by a hat or frame. Example: a school beekeeping club gives each student a hat-and-veil set before the first visit to the school apiary, because a sting near the eye can cause swelling that blocks vision for hours.

What to check in a veil

• Distance from the face: The mesh must stand well away from the nose and cheeks. If it touches the skin, a bee can sting through it.
• Mesh type: Fine, dark mesh is usually easier to see through than pale mesh, giving clearer vision of the combs. It must still be fine enough that no bee can pass through.
• Neck seal: The join between veil and suit must be fully closed with a zip, strap or tucked drawstring. Bees most often get into a veil through a gap at the neck.
• Condition of the mesh: Small tears should be mended at once with strong thread or replaced, because bees find even tiny holes.
• Comfort and visibility: The veil should be stable on the head and allow free movement of the neck, so that the beekeeper is not tempted to remove it.

If a bee gets inside the veil, the beekeeper should move quietly away from the hive, then take the bee out slowly rather than slapping at it.

5.1.3 Gloves

Gloves protect the hands, which are in constant contact with frames, hive boxes and bees. They should reach well up the forearm and overlap the sleeves of the suit, with elastic or a long cuff to close the gap. Example: a commercial apiary buys goatskin leather gloves for the workers who lift heavy honey supers, because the thick leather also protects against splinters and rough wood.

Points on choosing and using gloves

• Length: A long cuff that covers the wrists and part of the forearm prevents bees from walking up the sleeve.
• Fit: Gloves that are too loose make handling frames clumsy and can lead to dropped frames, while gloves that are too tight allow stings to reach the skin.
• Balance of protection and sensitivity: Thick leather protects best but reduces feel, so beginners often start with leather and move to thinner gloves as they gain confidence.
• Sealing the sleeve: Pull the glove cuff over the suit sleeve and close it with its elastic or a band so there is no gap.
• Cleaning: Stings leave a scent that can attract more bees, so gloves with many stings should be washed and left to dry in the shade.
• Inspection: Check for holes or cracked leather before each use, and replace damaged gloves.

5.1.4 Boots

Boots protect the feet and ankles from stings, because bees that land on the ground often crawl upward along the legs. Closed, sturdy footwear also protects against sharp objects, rough ground and falling hive parts. Example: a farmers' group with hives along a farm fence line gives its members light-coloured rubber gumboots so that the same footwear can be washed after work among the hives.

Points on choosing and wearing boots

• Closed footwear only: Sandals, open shoes and bare feet should never be worn in the apiary because they leave skin exposed to stings.
• Ankle coverage: Boots must reach well above the ankle, gumboots to mid-calf, so that the suit trousers overlap them with no gap.
• Trouser legs over the boots: The suit legs should hang over the boot tops and be secured with a band, strap or tight elastic so that bees cannot enter from below.
• Smooth surface: Smooth rubber is hard for bees to grip and is easy to wipe clean, whereas rough fabric or woven shoes hold sting scent.
• Light colour and good grip: Pale colours are less likely to provoke bees, and a non-slip sole is important on wet grass or uneven ground.
• Cleaning and drying: Wash and dry boots after use. Inspect the sole and sides for cracks that would let bees or water in.

5.1.5 Smoker

The smoker is a small metal device that produces cool, white smoke which is directed at the bees to calm them. Smoke interferes with the bees' alarm signals and makes them less likely to defend the hive, so the beekeeper has time to work. Example: a large commercial apiary with many hives keeps one smoker for each work team, and every smoker is lit and tested before the team leaves the store for the hive stands.

Suitable smoker fuels

• Dry grass: Easy to light and a good starter, but it burns quickly and must be topped up often.
• Hessian (sacking) or cloth from natural fibres: Burns steadily and gives plenty of smoke.
• Dry leaves and pine needles: Light easily and make a good starter material.
• Wood shavings or dry bark: Burn for a long time once started.
• Dried cow dung or rotten dry wood: Smoulders slowly and produces cool smoke that lasts.

Fuels that are treated with chemicals, such as plastic, rubber, painted wood, oily rags or synthetic fabrics, must never be used, because they produce toxic fumes that can harm bees and the beekeeper and can taint hive products.

Lighting and using a smoker

1. Collect enough dry fuel and place it close at hand, so that you do not have to leave the apiary to find more.
2. Put a small handful of easily lit material, such as dry grass, in the bottom of the firebox and light it.
3. Puff the bellows gently until the flame is steady, then add more fuel in small amounts.
4. Pack the firebox loosely with fuel, pressing it down lightly so that it burns and does not blaze, and puff until it is full of smoke.
5. Close the lid and test the smoke. It should be cool and white; if it is hot, thin or yellowish, add a handful of green grass or damp leaves on top.
6. Keep the smoker upright and puff gently as the work goes on, topping up with fuel when the smoke begins to thin.
7. When work is finished, stop the fire by blocking the nozzle with a plug of fresh grass or by emptying the embers into a safe place and cooling them with water. Never leave a smoker burning unattended.

Smoker safety and care

• The firebox and nozzle are hot, so the smoker should be carried by its handle and placed on bare ground or a stand, not on dry grass.
• During the dry season, extra care is needed to avoid bush fires, and a bucket of water should be nearby.
• Empty the ash and clean the soot out of the nozzle regularly so that smoke flows freely.
• Check the bellows for cracks and the hinge for rust, and replace damaged parts.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before the smoker is carried in a vehicle or stored, because a smouldering smoker can start a fire or fill a closed space with smoke.

5.1.6 First aid kit

A first aid kit holds the supplies needed to treat stings, minor injuries and early signs of an allergic reaction until medical help is reached. It should be kept in a clean, waterproof box, clearly marked, and taken to the apiary every time. Example: a community youth group that runs an apiary keeps a labelled kit in the vehicle used to travel to the site, with the contact of the nearest health facility written on the lid.

Treating a bee sting

1. Move away from the hive to a calm place, so that more bees do not sting.
2. Remove the sting at once, scraping it out with a fingernail or blade if possible, because speed matters most: the venom sac goes on pumping venom for up to a minute.
3. Wash the area with clean water and soap, then apply antiseptic.
4. Apply a cold pack or a cloth soaked in cold water to reduce pain and swelling.
5. Give an antihistamine or pain relief only as advised by a health worker, and not to anyone with a known reaction to the medicine.
6. Stay with the person for at least half an hour and watch for signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Difficulty in breathing or a wheezing sound.
• Widespread itchy rash or hives beyond the sting area.
• Dizziness, fainting, a fast weak pulse or confusion.
• Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain soon after the sting.

A person showing any of these signs needs urgent medical help. Call for transport immediately, lay the person down with the legs raised (unless breathing is difficult, in which case let them sit), and stay with them. A beekeeper with a known severe allergy should consult a doctor about carrying emergency medication and should not work alone.

Keeping the kit ready

• Check the kit regularly and replace used, damaged or expired items.
• Keep it in a place that all workers know and can reach quickly.
• Ensure that at least one person at every apiary visit has been trained in basic first aid.
• Record any sting incident, the treatment given and any follow-up, so that the team can learn and improve.
• Store the kit away from direct sun and heat, so that tablets, cold packs and dressings stay in good condition.