Ian’s idea for his original Sentinel Pro Bee Suit came when a beekeeper friend developed anaphylaxis after being stung.Ī bee’s stinger is between 1.5 mm and 3 mm long. “I simply cannot understand why nobody thought of it – if you’ve got a suit that fits properly, you are more comfortable, which makes you more confident with the bees.” The ‘Queen Bee’ beekeeping suit, which is available in European and UK sizes 10-24, comes in a light lilac colour, as dark colours can encourage bees to attack. Indeed, we can also make bespoke suits if required.” All beekeeping suits are a generic size, but to be truly comfortable you need something fitted for your size – one size does not fit all. “The important factor is the cut of the suit to accommodate the different shapes of women. “So, as well as exploring the market, I began researching women’s clothes sizes, and made some prototypes.
“There are over 40,000 registered beekeepers in Great Britain of which a large percentage are women, and I was surprised to find there wasn’t a specific women’s beekeeping suit of this type available. Says Ian, who also sells his honey at his farm shop, He has developed the ‘Queen Bee’ suit following calls from women beekeepers who wanted a suit more tailored to the characteristics of the female body. With a growing number of women taking up beekeeping, a Welsh beekeeper is launching a ‘virtually sting proof’ bee suit specifically designed for women.įollowing requests from women beekeepers, Neath beekeeper and farmer Ian Roberts has created a female version of his revolutionary Sentinel Pro Bee Suit – aimed at all beekeepers and hobbyists.