BEEKEEPING
Essential bee
clothing & gear
Want to be a beekeeper? Here are the
basic items and clothing that you will
need to be effective and safe
B
eekeepers in Europe
and North America are
often able to get away
with wearing not much more
than a veil over their heads as
protective wear, so docile are
their charges, and one often
sees European beekeepers
opening hives and working
with bees with bare arms and
hands.
Dressed for success, a beekeeper
with her smoker (though whether the
bees will be impressed by the
colourful boots is doubtful).
Not so, however, the African
bee, a much more aggressive
creature, which requires a
keeper to be fully clothed in
protective gear which, even
then, the bees will attack with
relish and real anger.
Thus, a South African
beekeeper needs a full
protective suit, heavy gloves,
boots and a veil, all assem-
bled in such a way that every
inch of skin is covered and
there are no nooks and
crannies through which the
bees can crawl to reach bare
flesh.
This, of course, makes
beekeeping in South Africa a
hot, sweaty business,
counteracted only slightly by
the fact that most beekeepers
work with their bees at night,
or at least in the twilight,
when it is both cooler and
when the bees are at their
most docile.
A beekeeper's attire, in South
Africa at least, comprises a
bee veil, which is usually a
white canvas hat with a broad
brim, not unlike a cricket
umpire's hat. All around the
brim is stitched a voluminous
Continued on page 17
SMART SMALLHOLDER
From page 13
factors. The drought and tick-
borne diseases have been a
concern , in addition to stock
theft.
But even with these chal-
lenges, the breed appears to
be adaptable enough that
Tiganis has manage d to keep
his herd numbers stable for
more than ten years.
For Tiganis, the Red Kentshire
has been a delight to own.
The practical benefits of the
breed and their sweet nature
have added to the status of
their uniqueness in South
Africa. He hopes his passion
for the small, white-faced
animals will encourage more
smallholders to investigate
this breed for themselves so
that it may get the attention
and high regard he believes it
deserves.
For more information:
Charles Tiganis, 082 723-
9508
15
www.sasmallholder.co.za