How to Make a Beekeeping Suit

Two beekeepers work on their hive.

Beekeeping can be a fun hobby or business except for one thing--the bees. If you aren't careful, you can wind up with some nasty bee stings. However, a good beekeeper's suit should minimize the problem of bee stings while allowing you to work with your hives. You can buy a beekeeper's suit or you can make an effective one fairly easily.

Things You'll Need

• Light-colored coverall
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Elastic
• Small-opening netting
• Boots
• Leather gloves
• Sewing machine
• Velcro

Instructions

1. Buy a light-colored coverall and sew elastic to the wrist and ankle openings. The elastic helps seal the coverall and keep bees out. The light color makes you look less threatening to bees. You will also want to add Velcro around the neck of the coverall so the neck opening can be closed off once you are dressed.

2. Wear boots that reach above your ankles and can be fastened tightly.

3. Wear leather gloves that extend above your wrists. Look for a pair that fit snugly at the top and don't flair open, which invites bees in.

4. Sew small-opening netting to the brim of a wide-brimmed hat. Allow the netting to drape about four inches below the neckline of the coverall. Add Velcro around the bottom edge of the netting. (Be sure you have matching Velcro pieces on the netting and coverall; in other words, sew the hook-type on one piece and the eye-type on the other piece.)

5. Put the hat on first when dressing. Then step into the coveralls and fasten the Velcro on the netting to the Velcro on the neckline of the coverall. You have now shut out the bees. Then you can put on your boots and gloves.

References

• Beekeeping Basics
• Backyard Beekeepers Association

Resources

• Elements of a Beekeeper's Suit