Beekeepers have to deal with bees every day, since their hands are the closest to the bees, they get asked this question the most:
“Do the gloves protect against bees or can they still sting me?”
Most gloves won’t protect you completely from stings, however, the right pair of gloves still sting.
Safta Bee makes gloves and suits specifically made to be kept. So we go through all this, and we are going to know what to expect from bee gloves.
What Does “Sting-Resistant” Mean?
Most beekeeping gloves are made with thick leather, goatskin, cowhide, or layered synthetic materials. These are all materials that do not allow bee stingers to go through them and reach your skin.
That being said, not all gloves can make promises to protect from every potential sting. Some gloves may still allow a sting to go through because of the pressure and bee determination.
Therefore, though the wording may differ, some people may refer to the gloves as “sting-resistant” beekeeping gloves.
Why Some Gloves Still Allow Bee Stings
Even high-quality beekeeping gloves may allow the occasional sting due to:
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Skin Compression
If the glove is tight against your fingers, the bee's stinger has a shorter distance to travel before reaching your skin.
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Thin or Worn Areas
As gloves age, they can develop spots that become worn thin, especially in the thin fingertip and palm areas.
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Aggressive Behavior of the Colony
Defensive colonies may repeatedly sting, and they can do so with greater force.
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Poor Fit
Gloves that are too tight or too loose diminish their protective effectiveness.
Features of Good Quality Beekeeping Gloves
Good Quality Beekeeping Gloves
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Good quality beekeeping gloves should be made of thick, durable leather, or other layered materials
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Good quality beekeeping gloves should have long cuffs to cover wrists and forearms
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Good quality beekeeping gloves should have a compromise between movement and protection
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Good quality beekeeping gloves should be made of breathable materials to reduce sweating and increase comfort
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Good quality beekeeping gloves should be designed so that the material collapses against the skin
The goal of beekeeping gloves is to give a rare sting if that.
How Safta Bee Designs for Hand Protection
At Safta Bee we concentrate on real life apiary situations:
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Stinger resistant materials
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Reinforced stitching on wear points
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Lining for comfort and reduced compression
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Cuffs that integrate well with bee suits
This approach means that beekeeping gloves can protect you enough for you to work confidently and accurately.
Are beekeeping gloves really worth wearing?
Definitely.
They may not be sting-proof, but they help reduce the number of stings, and help protect from multiple stings to the hands, which is one the most sensitive areas of the body.
With good quality gloves, most beekeepers get stung very little, if at all. The level of protection provided is very important for comfort, confidence, and safety.
Final Verdict
Beekeeping gloves are not 100% sting proof, but they are sting resistant.
However, most gloves are made well enough that they should prevent most bee stings and greatly lessen the stinging sensation.
At Safta Bee, our goal is straightforward: making gloves and other protective equipment so that beekeepers can concentrate on caring for their bees, without the distraction of worrying about their hands.
When your hands are gloves protected, beekeeping becomes more relaxed, more safe and more enjoyable.