Beekeeping in the heat of summer can be dangerous if you aren’t careful, but we can’t neglect our bees just because it’s hot outside. The best time to open hives to work with your bees is usually in the middle of the day — but when the forecast calls for high heat and humidity, that middle-of-the-day suggestion could be dangerous. On hot days, shift your beekeeping to earlier in the day, if possible. And plan ahead: make sure all your tools and equipment are ready ahead of time so you can get started promptly. Explore our top three tips for beekeeping on hot summer days.

1) Dress for the weather

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Protective clothing can add to the physical stress on your body, so when deciding what to wear under your bee suit, choose breathable clothing items. Lightweight pants or shorts and a breathable cotton T-shirt will help keep you cooler than heavy denim jeans or clothing made from synthetic materials. Or, choose tech fabrics designed for comfort in summer heat, including moisture-wicking and cooling T-shirts or temperature-regulating pants.

Beyond your clothing, consider items designed to improve your comfort. Wear a sweatband to help keep sweat out of your eyes. Depending on the material you choose, a sweatband can even provide a little cooling.

Best protective beekeeping gear for hot weather

  • Many people find that an English-style (fencer’s) veil feels cooler than a veil with a hat band and brim, since it allows for more airflow around your head. But be careful: It also provides much less sun protection than a hat-style veil for bald beekeepers.
  • The best bee suits for hot weather are constructed with layers of mesh for protection and include vented panels for breathability. You may prefer to wear a vented jacket or a part-vent jacket instead of a full unventilated suit — the most comfortable gear for chilly spring/fall beekeeping might not be the most comfortable option for hot summer beekeeping.
  • Choose cooler options when it comes to gloves, too. Leather gloves with elbow-length canvas sleeves may trap heat and sweat. If you’re comfortable with it, try wearing smaller nitrile gloves while you work, instead of full-length gloves. Or if you’re very comfortable, try wearing no gloves at all!
  • Sometimes a big bee suit or jacket is more protection than you need. Many beekeepers are happy with a hat-style or helmet-style veil over their own loose, breathable clothing.  The fewer layers of clothing you wear, the easier it will be for sweat to evaporate. (But bees may also manage a few more stings, so balance your decision!)
  • Or you can go the other way: Some of Betterbee’s beekeepers opt to wear nothing BUT their bee suits on really hot days. The suit protects the beekeeper, and there’s no extra fabric inside to hold sweat or heat against your skin.

Protective Gear Tip – Wash your bee clothing and gloves regularly. Grubby, stiff-from-dried-sweat gear feels hotter because it traps more heat due to the dirt embedded in the material. “Breathable” fabric has a harder time “breathing” if it’s clogged up with sweat and grime.

2) Consider proper health and hydration

Beekeeping drinking from a water bottle through their beekeeping veil.

Hydration is critical during beekeeping. Find a way to make it work like our Head Beekeeper Anne because you've got to make sure you keep drinking water on hot days.

Self-care doesn’t take a vacation simply because you have work to do. Always ensure you’re protecting yourself by checking in to see how you’re feeling. Just like when playing sports or exercising, follow these guidelines for safety in hot weather:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before heading outdoors, and keep steadily replacing lost fluids with lots of water or sports drinks throughout your tasks and after you head back indoors. The electrolytes in sports drinks are particularly important if your body is losing a lot of needed salts through copious sweating. 
  • Use sunscreen on any exposed skin, and reapply every 90 minutes. Though most sunscreens don’t prompt a reaction from bees, remember that bees are sensitive to odors, and monitor their behavior if you’re wearing a new brand of sunscreen. 
  • Wear a wide-brimmed beekeeping hat to keep the sun off your face and keep harsh summer sun out of your eyes for even more protection.
  • Tie a wet bandana, cooling scarf, or even a portable electric fan around your neck to help regulate your body temperature. A cold ice pack in the pocket of your beekeeping jacket (NOT against your bare skin) can be a relief on very hot days.
  • When working in the heat, fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can help your body retain and regulate moisture. Avoid drinks containing caffeine.

Don’t forget to protect your bees from the hot weather, as well. They need an adequate water source, shade, ventilation, and hive access to take refuge from the sweltering heat. Sometimes, it’s better — for you and your bees — to wait until the heat subsides to complete your work in the hive.

If you begin to feel nauseated, faint, or crampy, you’re moving out of the realm of simple hard work and possibly into the danger zone. Rest in the shade or your air-conditioned vehicle, then close up the hives and call it a day. The bees will be relieved to get back to managing the conditions of their hive on their own terms — and you can reduce your chances of heat exhaustion.

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3) Bring a helper

Especially when harvesting honey, an extra set of hands can be a huge help. Even the shallowest boxes, when full of capped honey, are heavy and awkward to carry. The bees probably aren’t happy about the disturbances, either. Two people working together makes lifting off the boxes much easier, reducing strain and speeding up the process overall. Perhaps most importantly, a helper may reduce the total time your inspection takes, and therefore the total amount of time you need to be out in the heat. 

Beekeeping ought to be a pleasure, at least most of the time. Don’t tempt fate by working in overheated conditions. Your bees still need attention during the heat, but if it’s just too hot to open them or you can only do a cursory inspection before heading indoors, that’s fine. It’s just not worth risking your health! For more beekeeping tips, explore our Beekeeper’s Guide.