Homemade Bee Suit

If you are going to be handling buzzing, stinging creatures (bees, wasps, etc.), you need some form of protection. A heavy-duty, good-quality bee suit will keep bees from overwhelming you and causing serious injury. You do not have to search around town or on the Internet. You can make a decent, functional bee suit out of a few items that are inexpensive or that you may already have.

Making the Helmet

Find or purchase a wide-brimmed pith helmet or construction helmet. Any hard helmet with no openings on top will work for this suit, but the two aforementioned types work well. You will need thick, transparent mesh fabric to attach around the perimeter of the helmet. Cut the fabric to a length sufficient to go around the helmet completely and wide enough to leave a few inches of space between the fabric and your face. Attach the fabric securely with hot glue or a strong adhesive, leaving no gaps or spaces where bees can squeeze through.

Gathering Other Materials

The key to a good bee suit is sealing it off so that no creatures, except for you, can get inside. Purchase a heavy-duty, one-piece, cloth or synthetic painter's outfit. Choose something that is impenetrable to small stingers, but is also comfortable and flexible.

You also will need an attached hood and shoe covers, a pair of tall, heavy boots and strong, thick, arm-length gloves.

Attach your homemade bee helmet to the painter's outfit with hot glue, adhesive or by sewing it on. Leave only enough room for the zipper to be reached.

Putting on the Suit

Always wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt under your homemade bee suit in case any creatures manage to get through. These can be sweat pants and a thin shirt if the weather is especially humid and hot. Wear thick socks, but no shoes since you will be wearing the boots.

Put on the painter's outfit with attached hood and helmet. Put on the boots and gloves, tucking the painter's outfit into the boots and gloves, which should fit very snugly. Use large rubber bands around the wrist cuffs and ankle cuffs of the uniform--at least two for each cuff. This may be uncomfortable, but will provide more protection.