Author Topic: Use of Tyvek Suits for Bee Suit (Read 15813 times)

jataylor · « **on:** August 04, 2012, 08:49:23 am »

I'm a NewBee and my hobby has generated a lot of interest among my friends about my hive. Would like to take them up close and personal, but cann't afford an extra Bee Suits. Does anyone have experience with the disposable Tyvek suits? Thinking I could get several wears out of one. They seem to cost about $5.00 apiece and appear to be fairly sting resistant. Welcome advice. Thanks.

iddee · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2012, 08:57:47 am »

They work, but very hot. A simple veil would be money better spent.

2Sox · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2012, 11:05:45 am »

Best thing for casual onlookers is a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt, and a mosquito net used for hiking, over a baseball cap. Costs between $5 and $7 at Sports Authority or some such store. Face covering is the most important thing as most of us know.

Beregondo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2012, 12:17:42 pm »

Quote from: iddee on August 04, 2012, 08:57:47 am

They work, but very hot. A simple veil would be money better spent.

I have to disagree.
I've worked spent many hours working (not in beekeeping) in Tyvek.
Tyvek is not "very hot".
It's Way Too Stinkin' Hot to wear unless it is so cold outside that you shouldn't be in your hive anyway.

Most bees can be worked with just a veil.
If your guest is nervous, have them wear long sleeves.

David McLeod · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2012, 12:20:03 pm »

I have to agree with all the above.

2Sox · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2012, 12:56:42 pm »

On a related topic: I've discovered a particular brand of nitrile glove to work bees is like Kryptonite against stings. My wife is a physician assistant and brought home a box of Medline's "Aloetouch Nitrile" gloves one day and they are incredible! I use them on every cut-out I do and never get hand stings unless I grab a bee hard. I've watched bees grab hold of my hand and try to sting through with no success. Not all nitrile gloves are created equal. Some are much too thin and you can get stung as easily as naked skin. I've tried lots of others but Medline is the way to go.

I found the best place to get them is online at Cheapchux. I'm going to do a separate posting on this.

AllenF · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2012, 04:39:58 pm »

Back in the day (30 something years ago) we never had bee suits. Just the veil, gloves, jeans, and a thick long sleeve shirt. We knew there were suits out there, just nobody wore them. You can buy a veil and most everyone has the others in the closet.

Larry Bees · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:26:15 pm »

Quote from: 2Sox on August 04, 2012, 12:56:42 pm

On a related topic: I've discovered a particular brand of nitrile glove to work bees is like Kryptonite against stings. My wife is a physician assistant and brought home a box of Medline's "Aloetouch Nitrile" gloves one day and they are incredible! I use them on every cut-out I do and never get hand stings unless I grab a bee hard. I've watched bees grab hold of my hand and try to sting through with no success. Not all nitrile gloves are created equal. Some are much too thin and you can get stung as easily as naked skin. I've tried lots of others but Medline is the way to go.

I found the best place to get them is online at Cheapchux. I'm going to do a separate posting on this.

I went to that website and there are many different types of gloves listed there, Which glove are you talking about? Larry

AllenF · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:28:48 pm »

I bought my nitrile gloves off the shelf at Graingers.

Larry Bees · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:35:17 pm »

I don't think that we have a Graingers near me.

Is the key word to these gloves, "Nitrile" ?

Are there different thicknesses of the material in the gloves?

Larry

AllenF · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:48:23 pm »

I got a box of blue nitrile gloves that has a pic of a hand snagging a fork and not tearing on the box. (but they do tear with me on the metal tops) They may sell those glove at Home Depot or Lowes. And there are 23 Grainger locations in Florida. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml Also look at the auto part store for a box.

marktrl · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:50:30 pm »

Larry, there's a Graingers in Altamonte Springs on Douglas Ave.

Larry Bees · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2012, 07:54:49 pm »

Thank You Allen and Marktrl ! Larry

AllenF · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2012, 11:24:28 pm »

Why you are shopping, check out this bee suit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kuchofuku-Air-Conditioned-Beekeeper-Suit-Cooling-bee-keeping-summer-clothing-/400310461914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d345ce5da#ht_2576wt_975

2Sox · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2012, 11:45:02 pm »

Here is the link to the gloves at Cheapchux:

http://www.cheapchux.com/alniexgl.html

Larry Bees · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:22:22 am »

Thanks 2Sox for the ordering link. I just ordered a box of large and a box of X-large. That's a great price and shipping is included in the price. I don't need to drive over to Orlando now. Larry

Larry Bees · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:25:56 am »

Quote from: AllenF on August 04, 2012, 11:24:28 pm

Why you are shopping, check out this bee suit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kuchofuku-Air-Conditioned-Beekeeper-Suit-Cooling-bee-keeping-summer-clothing-/400310461914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d345ce5da#ht_2576wt_975

Thanks for that link AllenF, I just bought both of them! :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau: :lau:

2Sox · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:40:21 am »

Happy to be useful, Larry. :)

vmmartin · « **Reply #18 on:** August 05, 2012, 10:37:58 am »

Larry, I thought Bud broke you of gloves? ;)

vmmartin · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2012, 10:40:06 am »

jataylor, it might not serve for "hands on" for your friends, but one of the mosquito tents could serve as an observation bunker for several of your friends at one time.

Larry Bees · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2012, 12:39:54 pm »

Quote from: vmmartin on August 05, 2012, 10:37:58 am

Larry, I thought Bud broke you of gloves? ;)

Hi Mike!

WRONG !!!

I went back to my bee suit and gloves as soon as I got back from Mississippi. I was using the gloves that your friend gave me, (his name has slipped my mind right now), but only have one pair left. When I have my bee suit and gloves on, I'm very calm when working my bees. Without them, I'm a nervous wreck!!!

June and I really enjoyed meeting you at Bud 4 !

Larry

duck · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2012, 01:10:00 pm »

ive used tyvek, they work well when u get into a mean hive. considering its what they wrap new houses with to seal then up, they dont breathe. you can soak yourself with the water hose and get it over with! there are some gloves called raven, that are puncture proof 17 a box. I am doug with the bees and get stung all the time.

Sour Kraut · « **Reply #22 on:** August 05, 2012, 01:11:13 pm »

First, what is the intended first-use of Tyvek ? Answer: Vapor Barrier wrapped around houses.

Second, what do we do when we work in hot weather ? Answer: We sweat. A lot.

Third, what is the effect of surrounding one-self with Tyvek while sweating? Answer: Nothing good.

While you could get away with it short term, trying it over an hour or more's work would be inviting heatstroke or worse.

In. My. Opinion.

Gary

jataylor · « **Reply #23 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:33:22 pm »

Great idea. Could also serve as a great classroom for kids learning about beginning bee keeping. I'm going to look into it. Thanks.

AllenF · « **Reply #24 on:** August 05, 2012, 09:00:10 pm »

You can buy very cheap jackets and suits on Ebay that are imports. You are getting what you pay for I bet. But they are good for starters.

duck · « **Reply #25 on:** August 06, 2012, 12:59:35 am »

or just save a little and get an ultrabreeze!

JPBEEGETTER · « **Reply #26 on:** August 06, 2012, 02:05:07 pm »

I use the nitrile gloves from Harbor Freight, have been for years, but they are disposable. They have 3 different thicknesses The white Hospital type are 3 mils, the blue are 4mils, the black are 7 mils thick (too thick) but nondestructive. I use the blue if you are stung the bees do not loose their stinger and only feels like a prick. Plus they are only $5.99 per 100. I do a lot of cut - outs and Traps and if the bees are irritable i wear them. I also wear a pull over mosquito top and the gloves only, hung my Dadent suit up in the bee house. Have those pull overs for sale $15. & $20. med, l, XL.

Larry Bees · « **Reply #27 on:** August 06, 2012, 05:08:09 pm »

Thanks JPBEEGETTER for the information and welcome to the site.

We already have a JP on this site and he really is a "beegetter". :-D

Larry

JPBEEGETTER · « **Reply #28 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:00:37 am »

Thanks for ww Larry, Yes I know . Am looking forward to meeting him. Have already met Iddee , he is the reason I am in here. Met him at our monthly meeting Sat. night (Forsyth County Beekeepers Assoc.) Winston-Salem NC. Had Michael Bush for speaker. Great time. I have developed a containment box for trap=outs and Iddee wants me to share . Will at later date. Thanks again for ww.

Pre-Bee (Rowan) · « **Reply #29 on:** August 08, 2012, 11:15:40 pm »

Yes, tyvek is hot but it is what I've been using since I got my bees this year. Try telling your friends to bring their swimsuits to wear underneath, and if you are going to be wearing them for longer than one hive, drink something cold before you go out.