Bee gloves

[mtnb]

I bought some duraflock on the recommendation of divemaster and have not looked back. Yep they cause hands to sweat a lot but have great dexterity.

http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=49052.msg426573#msg426573

I've finally bought some of these too. Can't wait to try them out. I've been using some ventilated goat skin gloves. I like them too.

[Captain776]

I would like to work around the bees and not wear all the gear.
The next time I inspect the hive, I am going to just use smoke at the beginning and as necessary and see how it goes.
Last full inspection, I had long sleeve shirt, veil, and cotton gloves, not one Bee came near me.

When you watch video clips, many Beekeepers wear nothing, like The Fat Beeman, J P the Beeman, and many others.
Look at clips of J P the Beeman, he is removing huge wild colonies and never wears protection.
Do stingers go through latex / nitrile surgical gloves?

Bruce

[cao]

>I would like to work around the bees and not wear all the gear.

Wear what you are comfortable with.  But I would advise to always protect your face.

>The next time I inspect the hive, I am going to just use smoke at the beginning and as necessary and see how it goes.

A little smoke goes a long way.  If you smoke them to much they can get a bit upset.  Typically they just need enough to distract them from what you are doing.

>Last full inspection, I had long sleeve shirt, veil, and cotton gloves, not one Bee came near me.

When your hive(nuc) is small there aren't enough guard bees to waste attacking you.

>When you watch video clips, many Beekeepers wear nothing, like The Fat Beeman, J P the Beeman, and many others.
Look at clips of J P the Beeman, he is removing huge wild colonies and never wears protection.

Even JP has a full suit handy for the mean hives.  And most of the Fat Beeman videos I've seen he's dealing with a smaller hive.  Experience will tell you when the bees are in a pissy mood.

>Do stingers go through latex / nitrile surgical gloves?

I don't know the answer about the gloves since I've never worn gloves when working my hives.  I do take the occasional sting on the hands though. 

 

[paus]

I have some heavy 22 mil gloves That I use on bad hives and cut outs. Just working hives I usually go bare on casual inspections, but on a real inspection I use 9mm nitril gloves that are reusable BUT they CAN sting through them.  Goodluck Captain

[jimineycricket]

I quit wearing nitrile gloves after I got stung through them.  (very sweaty)  I only wear a veil and light colored shirt and use smoke. I get a sting one in a while. Oh well.

[sc-bee]

Ohhh there are times JP wears a suit.... he gauges the pissyness of the bees  The other fellow you mentioned... keep your bees on a constant feed of sugar and you too could have stingless bees... 

[BeeMaster2]

Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim

[Acebird]

Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.

Does he have scubba equipment?  LOL

[tjc1]

Anyone have a link to the ventilated goatskin gloves?

[tjc1]

A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim

Yes, this is what Michael B recommends and it does work really well.

[bwallace23350]

Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim

Good idea. Do you suite up much when doing this?

[Captain776]

Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim

Similar to what I have been doing but just waiting 1-2 minutes, now I will wait lol ng ER after initial smoking.
Last full inspection, after smoking, I set the smoker on the table beside the hive and I noticed that a light bit of smoke was coming out of smoker and wafting across the top of the hive so I put it down so it wasn't smoking the hive too much.

[Acebird]

I noticed that a light bit of smoke was coming out of smoker and wafting across the top of the hive.

Perfect,  How do you train the smoke?  I put mine on the hive next to the one I am working and it ignores the hive I am working on and goes right in my eyes or nose.  Then I get mad and move it ten ft away.  The smoke is more annoying then the stings.

[BeeMaster2]

Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim

Good idea. Do you suite up much when doing this?

I did the first time I tried it on my agressive hive then found out that I did not need it. I took that hive apart last weekend, to split it, with no suit and they were as calm as the rest of my hives.
Jim

[bwallace23350]

Part of JP trick is he smokes himself up real good before working the bees.
A new trick I just started is smoking the bees 10 minutes before I work on a hive. Then I smoke it 30 seconds before opening it. Even my strongest hives are gentle after following this procedure.
Jim

Good idea. Do you suite up much when doing this?

I did the first time I tried it on my agressive hive then found out that I did not need it. I took that hive apart last weekend, to split it, with no suit and they were as calm as the rest of my hives.
Jim

Interesting stuff. I hope to never have very aggressive hives but good to know if I do.

[JackM]

I find that bees can sting through leather.  I simply put on 3 pairs of  5 ml nitrile and not sure if they can't get a grip or it is adequate, but I don't get the stings and I can feel things like bees bumping.  So again, the cheapest works best for me.  Just have to be careful the sleeves cover them well.

[Captain776]

I noticed that a light bit of smoke was coming out of smoker and wafting across the top of the hive.

Perfect,  How do you train the smoke?  I put mine on the hive next to the one I am working and it ignores the hive I am working on and goes right in my eyes or nose.  Then I get mad and move it ten ft away.  The smoke is more annoying then the stings.

I had a lucky breeze in the right direction........no skill involved.

[erbs honey]

I might just get some good goat skin gloves. I am not allergic to stings but don't particularly like them either. I would just rather protect my hands.

Yes, me too.  I prefer working without gloves, but I don't like getting stung.  I try not to use them, but think I will more often than I do.

[bwallace23350]

I might just get some good goat skin gloves. I am not allergic to stings but don't particularly like them either. I would just rather protect my hands.

Yes, me too.  I prefer working without gloves, but I don't like getting stung.  I try not to use them, but think I will more often than I do.

Yeah stings are no fun. I wear gloves because I don't like getting stung/

[Captain776]

Yesterday I did a full inspection, added a frame and a top feeder without protection and was very comfortable and so were the ladies.