Beekeeping Veils

A beekeeper's veil (bee veil, beekeeping hood, net veil) is a protective headpiece with a front of fine wire or tulle mesh that protects the face, eyes and neck from stings. It is the most indispensable piece of protective equipment; even a beekeeper without gloves or a suit should never open a hive without a veil. A good veil keeps the mesh away from the face, gives good visibility and leaves no gap where it joins the clothing.

Why is a beekeeper's veil so important?

Defensive bees are drawn by carbon dioxide and breath, and head especially for the face and around the eyes. A sting on the eyelid, lip or neck swells quickly and can close the eye; stings near the eye are also dangerous in their own right. A veil protects these areas and lets the beekeeper work without panicking, with slow movements.

There is also an indisputable rule: the mesh must not touch the face. When a bee lands on mesh that is touching the face or nose, it can sting through it. That is why every design is based on keeping the mesh a few centimetres away from the face.

What types of beekeeper's veil are there?

Round veil (hat veil)

This type has a cylindrical mesh section that fits over a wide-brimmed hat or a stiff hoop. The brim keeps the mesh away from the face and gives protection from the sun. As a separate piece, it is used with a jacket or suit and tied at the waist or chest with cords or elastic. The field of view is wide; however, if the hat slips in the wind or when bending, the mesh may come close to the face.

Fencing veil

It takes its name from the fencing mask. It fits over the head like a hood, enclosing the head, with a taut, hemispherical mesh at the front. It is usually attached to a jacket or suit with a zip. Internal wire or spring supports keep the mesh away from the face. It is light and well ventilated, and stays in place when you bend. Today it is the most common type on suits and jackets.

Round-hood zip veil

This type combines the stiff hat of the round veil with the hood of a suit: there is a hoop like a hat brim inside the hood, and the veil is zipped to the body. It combines the wide view of the round veil with the bee-tight seal of the fencing type.

Simple net and folding veils

Cheap veils that go straight over the head, with a weak hoop or none at all. They are useful as a visitor's or spare veil, but because the mesh tends to come close to the face, they are not recommended for regular use.

What to look for when choosing a beekeeper's veil?

• Distance from the face: Put the veil on and bend and turn your head; the mesh should not touch your nose, forehead or cheek at any point.
• Visibility: Veils with black mesh at the front give much better visibility; a black surface does not reflect light. White or light-coloured mesh glares and makes it harder to see small details such as eggs.
• Mesh material: Wire (metal) mesh is more durable and does not get crushed; tulle mesh is light and foldable but tears easily.
• Attachment: Waist or chest ties on separate veils; a zip on suits and jackets. The end of the zip should have a flap or Velcro cover.
• Ventilation: In hot climates, mesh panels at the sides and back of the veil reduce sweating and fogging.
• Size and glasses: If you wear glasses, make sure the hoop does not touch them; choose a suitable size for children and larger heads.

How do you seal the joins between the veil and clothing?

Bees find the smallest gap, and even one bee inside the veil can end an inspection. The gaps most often overlooked are:

• Zip ends: The points where the veil zip ends and meets the jacket zip.
• Neck and shoulders: With separate veils, the fabric skirt should be tucked inside the collar or tied firmly over the jacket with the cords.
• Drawstrings: A loosely tied cord leaves a gap when you bend; passing the cords under the armpits and tying them at the front is a secure method.

If a bee gets inside your veil, don't panic: walk a few steps away from the apiary, calmly open the veil and let the bee out. Opening the veil at the hive lets more bees in.

How do you look after a beekeeper's veil?

1. Check before every use: A small tear in the mesh or a split seam cancels out the whole protection. Hold it up to the light to check.
2. Repair: Small holes can be closed with a fine needle and thread or a suitable patch; for a large tear, the mesh should be replaced.
3. Washing: The veil is washed by hand in lukewarm water with unscented soap to remove the smell of sweat and alarm pheromone. The wire hoop and wire mesh must not be crushed or spun in a machine.
4. Drying and storage: Dry in the shade; sunlight makes tulle mesh brittle over time. Store folding models without putting weight on them.
5. Spare: Keep a spare veil in your apiary bag; it also comes in handy for visitors.

Common mistakes with beekeeper's veils

• A veil that is too small: The mesh touches the face and leads to stings.
• Light-coloured front mesh: It impairs vision; details are missed when looking for the queen and eggs.
• Leaving the attachment loose: A cord that comes undone when you bend and straighten, or a half-closed zip, lets bees in.
• Working with a torn veil: Thinking "a small hole won't matter" is the most common cause of stings to the face.
• Not giving visitors a veil: Everyone who comes near the hive should wear a veil.