Have you ever wondered why beekeepers’ suits are white? Is it a coincidence? Well, you are not alone. This is a question that lingers in many people’s minds. Not only are the suits white, but also the beekeeper’s caps, veils, and polos. There is a good reason behind this. Come with me as we unveil the reason behind this dominant color.

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Why are bee suits white?

Honey bees are hostile to dark colors such as brown, grey, or black. As it turns out, they have evolved to protect themselves against their enemies. The dark colors resemble the ruthless predators (bears, raccoons, and skunks) that attack their colonies. The bear, their arch enemy, is famed for robbing honeycombs and honey from the combs. 

The white color is calm. It doesn’t threaten these buzzing creatures. They remain unbothered even when a beekeeper removes frames and honey supers in and out of the hive. 

Secondly, most beekeeping work and inspection takes place on sunny days. The white color reflects light other than absorbing it. This makes it comfortable for the beekeepers working on hot sunny days. 

Are bee suits reliable?

Bee suits offer one-piece coverage and help to keep regular clothes clean. It gives confidence, especially to novice beekeepers knowing they are protected from head to toe. They are often made with multi-layers of fabric, providing ample protection from bee stings. Most are made from cotton, making them relatively lightweight and breathable. 

However, you should ensure that you have completely closed all zips and fasteners since bees can use even the tiniest openings to access your body.  This scenario is horrible since you can’t take off the suit to remove the trapped bees without letting dozens more in. A bee can also sting through a bee suit if given sufficient time. Its lancets are sufficiently strong and can work through the fabric. However, most stinging cases are when a bee has found its way through the suit. Wearing other pieces of clothes under a bee suit minimizes the odds of the stinger touching your skin. 

Bee suits are not for everyone. They can become hot and bothersome, especially in summer; hence some people do not see the extra protection worth it. If you are not used to it, walking around with them for extended hours can be a bit uneasy. They can also be expensive, especially when added up to other start-up costs. You can use alternative attire if you have not decided whether to take it up as a hobby. Other Precautions to Take While Working with Bees

As a beekeeper, you will get stung from time to time even while wearing a full-body bee suit. Bees are famed for being the best crawlers and will find even the smallest opening to crawl through. They can use tiny tears in the suit, an unclosed zipper, or a sleeve that you haven’t tucked in properly. 

On top of wearing a bee suit, here are other basic precautions-

Use a smoker

A bee smoker is a vital device that helps to calm the bees while you are doing an inspection. The smoke is a non-poisonous way to relax the bees by masking the pheromones they use to communicate with each other. 

Work in conducive weather

Unfavorable weather affects the bees’ mood. The perfect days to work with bees are clear, moderately warm, and dry days. The ideal time is around midday when the sun is high in the sky to see the hive and the components well. Again at this time, most worker bees are away foraging. 

Work Calmly

Injuring the bees and banging the frames or supers will trigger a defense reaction from the bees, which may cause you to be stung. 

Avoid Blocking their Flight Path

Beehives have an opening that bees use to fly in and out of the hive. Blocking this path by standing in front of the door triggers aggression from them, causing them to sting.

Types of bee suits

Bee suits consist of a jacket, a trouser, head and face protection. Combined with good-quality beekeeping gloves, they offer the best protection against bee stings. These are available as a complete unit or individual components. They are mainly made of cotton and poly-cotton canvas material. In recent years ventilated bee suits made of several layers of mesh are also rising in popularity. They allow more ventilation and help you feel more relaxed, especially in the hot summer heat, although they are a bit heavier.  It consists of long sleeves and long legs with elastic at the ends to close up your wrists and ankles. Here is what to look for when buying a suit

• Quality fastenings and zippers to keep off crawling bees 
• Comfortable fabric that is able to shield you from bee stings
• Strong and sufficiently deep pockets able to carry some items such as a  hive tool
• Easy to get into and out
• One that will keep you cool and ventilated
• Allows you to work comfortably

How do honey bees see color?

Honey bees see colors differently from us. While we see wavelengths that range from 390 to 750, they perceive wavelengths in the range of 300 to 650 nanometers. They are able to see ultraviolet colors that are invisible to us. On the other hand, the red hue appears black to them. Surprisingly, they can distinguish colors five times better than us. They are able to differentiate between flowers that may look the same color to a human. This is crucial to the bees since they are able to know the flowers with nectar and pollen. Some flowers provide nectar guides, such as pansies and sunflowers, that can only be seen in the UV spectrum. 

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FAQs

Is it a must for a beekeeper to wear white?

While the default color in beekeeping is white, a beekeeper can wear any other light-colored clothing. Some suppliers make bee suites available in different light colors. However, you should ensure that the clothing is well-fitted so that bees cannot access your body and get trapped in it. Other optional colors include lilac, orange, aqua, and beige. 

If you wear a colored bee suit, will a bee mistake you for a flower? 

Although a bee is attracted to bright colors, their vision is excellent for distinguishing between a flower and clothing. They can also smell the food sources(nectar). Again, they can sense the electric field surrounding a flower. These buzzing creatures don’t see colors as we see them. For instance, they see ultraviolet colors that are invisible to humans. 

How can you avoid bee stings? 

Since most crops rely on bees for pollination, there is a high chance of encountering bee stings even if you are not a beekeeper. Fortunately, bees only attack when they feel threatened; hence, avoiding anything that poses a danger to them is good. For beginners, a full bee suit gives ideal protection. Ensure the clothing is white and avoid dark accessories such as watches to avoid provoking the bees. You should also avoid cologne and perfume as these annoy the bees and make them attack. 

Should you wear a loose or tight-fitting bee suit?

While a tight-fitting suit may look trendy, it may restrict your movement while bending or stretching. Choosing a loose-fitting suit that will allow you to move unhindered is advisable. It also reduces the chances of a stray stinger contacting your skin. 

How much does a bee suit cost?

The cost of beekeeping suits ranges from $50-$250 depending on the quality and the supplier. With beekeeping rising in popularity, supplies and equipment have become easier to find. Thankfully, many bee suits last for an extended period with proper care. If you are unsure whether the venture suits you, you can try a cheaper one.