From page 15
net veil, the bottom of which
is fitted with a drawstring. The
brim of the hat ensures that
the veil does not touch
exposed skin such as ears and
cheeks and the drawstring
ensures that the bottom edge
of the veil can be securely
fastened over the shoulders
and chest to seal the head
and neck off from bees. Even
then, bees sometimes manage
to crawl in under the veil, and
that can be a scary thing for a
beginner beekeeper, espe-
cially because this happens
when one is in the middle of
some carefully planned task
involving one's hive.
To protect the body, arms and
legs a white zip-up overall is
worn, and added protection
is recommended by wearing
a vest and heavy long-sleeved
shirt or jersey, and heavy
trousers under the overall,
because a bee's sting can
easily penetrate the fabric of
an overall and reach the skin
underneath.
Hand protection is achieved
by heavy industrial rubber
gloves fitted with elasticised
gaiters that pull up over the
arms. While these protect the
hands from stings they tend to
make one's handling of
intricate components in the
hive somewhat
clumsy.
Foot protec-
BEEKEEPING
tion is by way of boots, with
the bottoms of the overall
tucked in.
Of a beekeeper's hand-held
equipment by far the most
important item is the smoker.
This is a metal can with a
spout and bellows. The can is
filled with a combustible
material, and reams have
been written about what
makes the best material to
burn in a smoker, which is lit
and which smoulders slowly
to provide clouds of the cool
white smoke with which the
beekeeper keeps his charges
calm, and with which he
encourages them to move to
where he wants them.
Next comes a hive tool, a
metal device shaped like a
Left: A bee brush. Above: Hive tool
17
www.sasmallholder.co.za
mini crowbar which the
keeper uses to prise open the
hive, and to lever out the
frames of the super or brood
chamber.
Finally, there is a bee brush, a
thin, soft brush used to
remove bees from frames,
hive surfaces etc without
injuring them.
This is the basic specialist kit
that a beekeeper will need
before embarking on his
passion. Added to this list of
course will be various
containers, buckets etc used
Continued on page 18