Beekeeping Trousers

Beekeeping trousers are light-coloured, heavy protective trousers with closable cuffs, worn together with a beekeeping jacket to protect the legs, waist and ankles from stings. For a beekeeper who does not wear a full suit, they complete the missing part of the protective outfit. The most important detail is the cuff: bees climb upwards from the ground, and an open trouser leg is the easiest way into the leg.

When do you need beekeeping trousers?

A full suit already covers the legs. Beekeeping trousers are needed by beekeepers who use a jacket with veil. A jacket is cool and practical, but leaves everything below the waist exposed; wearing proper trousers here instead of everyday jeans or tracksuit bottoms makes a real difference, especially in these situations:

• Kneeling in front of the hive: The fabric over the knees and thighs is stretched tight, and stings go through thin fabric.
• Honey harvest and carrying boxes: More bees fall to the ground and land on the legs.
• Defensive colonies: Bees target the lower legs and ankles.
• Apiaries with long grass: Bees that fall to the ground climb up the grass into the trouser legs.

What types of beekeeping trousers are there?

Cotton beekeeping trousers

Made from the same heavy, tightly woven cotton or poly-cotton fabric as bee suits. The waist is elasticated with a drawstring, and the cuffs are elasticated or zipped. They are economical and stand up to frequent washing.

Ventilated beekeeping trousers

Made from the same multi-layer mesh fabric as ventilated jackets. In hot climates and during the summer harvest they reduce sweating on the legs; their thickness largely prevents the sting from reaching the skin.

Everyday work trousers

Heavy denim or canvas work trousers will do for short jobs with calm colonies, but dark ones and those that sit close to the skin attract bees. If you wear trousers like these, the cuffs must be closed off.

Opening a hive in shorts or thin tracksuit bottoms is not recommended; stings on the legs may not be dangerous, but they make the beekeeper move suddenly and disrupt the inspection.

What should you look for when choosing beekeeping trousers?

The hem of the jacket should overlap the waist of the trousers. If the jacket is gathered at the waist with elastic, it should sit over the waistband of the trousers, with no gap in between.

How do you seal the cuffs and ankles?

The trouser cuff is the most commonly overlooked gap in beekeeping. Bees that fall to the ground or wander in the grass walk upwards and go in when they find a dark, narrow space. A bee trapped inside a trouser leg panics and stings.

1. Wear high boots: Rubber or leather boots that cover the ankle are the safest; do not go into the apiary in open shoes or sandals.
2. Secure the cuffs: Fit elasticated cuffs over the boot or tuck the trouser legs into the boots. With everyday trousers, tighten the cuff with tape, elastic or a Velcro ankle strap.
3. Pull your socks up: Wear thick, light-coloured, long socks; if necessary tuck the trouser legs into the socks.
4. Check: Squat and stand up again; see whether the cuffs ride up.

How to put on beekeeping trousers (the right order)

1. Thick socks and beekeeping trousers.
2. High boots; the cuffs are secured over or inside the boots.
3. Jacket with veil; the jacket hem comes over the waist of the trousers.
4. Veil zip and gloves.

Caring for beekeeping trousers

• Washing: Stings lodged in the fabric and the lingering alarm scent attract bees; wash them regularly with the jacket, using unscented detergent.
• Stains: Scrape off propolis and wax before they harden; honey stains come out easily in lukewarm water.
• Knees: The knee area wears out fastest; patch fabric that is getting thin.
• Cuff elastic: Slack elastic lets the cuffs slide up; replace it in good time.
• Storage: Store them in a dry place, cleaned of honey residue.

Common mistakes

• Wearing thin tracksuit bottoms or leggings with a jacket: Stings go through fabric that clings to the skin.
• Dark jeans with open cuffs: Both the colour and the gap create risk.
• Low-cut shoes: The gap between sock and cuff invites stings on the ankle.
• Slim fit: When you kneel the fabric stretches and stings get through.