Working with bees, despite countless advantages, also carries some risks. Meanwhile, the issue of protecting the body against them is often neglected.
Of course, the attitude towards personal protection among beekeepers varies. Starting from people who would like to work with bees without any protection (which they sometimes do), to those who protect their bodies from head to toe.
Protection against stings
The absolute minimum should be a hat and a beekeeping shirt that protect the most sensitive places – eyes, face, neck, and, above all, the inside of the mouth. A bite in these places, even in healthy people, can have disastrous consequences. Of course, you can equip yourself with a full protective suit (protecting both the legs, torso and head), but this function can be successfully fulfilled by regular trousers combined with a sweatshirt and a hat.
The use of gloves is a controversial issue. There are many enthusiasts of working with bees with their bare hands. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from doing so (at least in healthy people who tolerate stings well), but people who want to work with beekeeping gloves should not be discouraged from doing so (which is done very often on beekeeping forums). It is a matter of individual choice.
Such equipment is not excessively expensive. For example: the hat itself costs PLN 40. a sweatshirt with a hat costs about PLN 150, and a complete suit costs about PLN 250. Leather gloves cost around PLN 40. It is worth adding that if properly used, such equipment will last for years. Only gloves have a slightly shorter lifespan, but replacing them does not involve large expenses.
What should you equip your first aid kit with?
A handy first aid kit must contain medications and dressings that we can apply in the event of an allergic reaction. From generally available preparations, you should buy calcium preparations and local gels that soothe allergies. After consulting a doctor, it is also worth giving her oral anti-allergic drugs. We will also need disinfectants that we will use to disinfect the sting sites.
It is a good idea for the beekeeper to have adrenaline preparations in his apiary, which can save lives in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. Not only the beekeeper himself (who is usually not allergic), but above all other people. Such preparations can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription, but it is also worth remembering that they must be stored in the refrigerator.
Not just stings
Of course, most of the hazards associated with working around bees involve the risk of being stung. However, the dangers do not end there. Modern beekeeping also uses a number of chemical compounds that, when in contact with the human body, can cause a lot of harm. This problem concerns some drugs (amitraz used to fight varroa, or organic acids), disinfectants (e.g. soda lye), or substances used to protect stored patches against barciak (sulfur, acetic acid). Most of these substances are corrosive to the skin, respiratory tract and eyes. Amitraz, however, is toxic and considered a carcinogen. Therefore, when using the mentioned substances, it is essential to use personal protective equipment. This is not only about gloves or protective glasses. When using amitraz or sulfurizing frames, you should wear a protective mask with filters that absorb harmful compounds.
It is worth adding that the mentioned protective clothing does not cost a fortune – the cost of glasses or gloves is symbolic. A mask with an absorber costs approximately PLN 180-200.
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