Should we get and use protective clothing?

Q. Since this will be our first hive, is purchasing a veil and gloves necessary?

A. My philosophy is start with maximum protection and when you get comfortable with the process and the bees, then remove protective gear as your comfort level requires. There is no reason that you should be stressed or nervous when tending to the bees. It is supposed to be a fun and relaxing experience!

Remember each bee colony has different attitudes. I have hives where the bees wouldn't even think of stinging me and others that really get agitated. Also, the time of day and the time of year is a variable. In the heat of the day much of the bee population is off in the fields, so this is a good time to work the bees, but it is also the time of the day when you most likely will be sweating like crazy in your gear. I "camel" up on lots of water and get really hydrated before working the hive in the afternoon.

Also the combs are very delicate because of the heat, so I never work the hive during a really hot day. Sometimes I will start without gloves so that I can be more precise in my movements. If I get one sting, I will put on the gloves, because the first sting will encourage another sting due to the scent it emits.

Although beekeepers do not recommend it, I use a bug jacket (http://www.bugshirt.com/ US $44.95) that has an attached mosquito hood and I put on a baseball cap to keep the mesh away from my face. I will also wear a thick undergarment. The bug jacket is not sting proof so you cannot have any places where the jacket touches your skin. Once my technique got better I stopped putting on any protective gear. The key is to "Know thy bees" and never run off waving your arms in the air.

This is what the "Bug " people say about the Bug jacket and bees: