Thursday, May 15, 2014
Been busy!!!!
I've been pretty busy lately. Softball is over (thank goodness) and now it's the last weeks of school which is always crazy!!!! A lot has been going on around here but one project I wanted to share today is my home made bee suit! I'm super excited to get started on this. I got an XL mans button down shirt at Goodwill for five bucks. My plan is to cut out the button parts, hem it and put a really long zipper there instead. The collar that folds down will stick up with a Velcro fastner to keep it closed up around my neck and I will cut the cuffs off the sleeves, hem them and put a Velcro closure on them to keep the bees out :) The pants also bought at Goodwill for five bucks are scrubs with lots of pockets. They are size Large so they are loose on me. The ankles have elastic it's a little loose since I have toothpick legs but I think with my boots on a bee would be hard pressed to make it's way in there. I'm not going to do anything to the pants except sew them to the shirt. So for ten bucks, a zipper, and some Velcro I'm going to have a homemade bee suit :)))))))) No luck on capturing a swarm yet. I might have to beg a bee keeper for some if I want them this year :)
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Is it heavy enough fabric to keep the stingers out? I would recommend putting loops on the cuffs to go around your thumbs so the sleeves don't pull out from under the gloves while working. Also a loop on the back to attach the hood to so it doesn't fall forward and expose the back of your neck.
ReplyDeletePatience with the swarm you have until July before you can say they are done swarming around these parts. Keep putting in lemon grass oil and they will come if there are any hives around. They love that stuff.
The fabric isn't too light but it's not real heavy either. I tried on a bee suit once and it was a lot heavier, way too big, and $85 :/ The bee keepers I have talked to said baggy/loose is the key to not getting stung. Thanks for the input on the sleeves. I didn't think about that and I was still trying to work out the hood issue :)
DeleteI didn't realize swarm season was so long. I've seen more bee's in the yard this year. I don't know if I'm just more aware of them or if there is just more. I need to trek out to my traps and put more oil. It was cold the last couple of days I should have done it then, we are having a bit of a snake issue this year :p
This is great! I have put off bee keeping simply because of the cost to get it set up. Keep posting your updates, as I am very interested.
ReplyDeleteI have spent about $200 on equipment, tools, and such. It's a little more than I wanted to spend but if the end result is a hive full of bee's it will all be worth it :))))
DeleteGood thinking, making your own suit like that. Good luck with it and hopefully not too many stings.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sunnybrook, I just hope I end up with bee's that could sting me :)
DeleteUnless they make scrubs and mens shirts a lot thicker in your area than here, I don't think your fabric will be thick enough to keep the stingers out. My bee suit is like a light weight canvas. It is thicker than blue jean material. I have only had one sting in the few years I have been bee keeping and that was when I propped a frame against my middle to look at it and there was a bee on the bottom. She stung me when I squished her.
ReplyDeleteMost of the people I talk to either just put on a veil with their normal clothes or don't wear a suit at all. The ones that suit up are commercial beekeepers and the commercial beekeeper told me just to get an oversized light colored men's shirt because it's hotter that Hades in the Summer. Do you think the bee's have tried to sting you but the suit kept them from it? I'm hoping for happy bee's that love me and don't feel suicidal, lol!!!!
DeleteMy bee "shirt" is a thick canvas type material. I just wear light beige men's work pants. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping this outfit will be enough. Hopefully I will get to test it out soon too :)
DeleteI would love to have bee's but since I go into anaphalatic shock if I get stung not a good idea at this homestead...LOL....I carry my trusty epi-pen with me when I am outside...have fun with them and I hope you get lots of honey!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I have been wanting to raise bees for a long time but never have taken that step.
ReplyDelete