[ron capri]

Yes, I have one of the bee proof suits, all mesh. It is breezy and cool. I love it. Mine was offered by Mann Lake, I believe.

I recommend the round veil with supportive rim, hat or whatever.

[ron capri]

Hi Susan, i’m ready for 3 right away. I’ll call early am if you’re up. possibly 4, …still checking.

thanks,
Ron

[ron capri]

I got the vent suit from Mann Lake over a year ago. Love it… It’s really fun and reliable so far… but for heavy commercial use i would predict the need for two or three suits in rotation… Heavy cotton suit in cooler weather, of course… Brushy mtn. has a nice one.

Washing suits should be done in a front-loader washing machine as there is no agitator to twist and tug at the materials. Short cycle is enough. Hoods/veils should be removed and hand washed. Cotton suits can be tumble dried, but the vented suit is better off hanging on clothes line.

*** The mesh of a vented suit is sensitive to heat… so if you contact your smoker when carrying it or whatever, the mesh will melt ! This happened to my suit when someone borrowed it… So i bought some white mesh fabric and stitched a nice patch to re-close the wrist area. :o)

good luck.
bee cool.

[ron capri]

Hi Andrew – Thanks for the post… I went there this morning to have a look at it… fortunately i had the equipment handy so I was ready to work, and here is what i found in there so far:

it’s an odd spot and subject to cars running it over somewhat, but anyway…

First the utility box, under the lid, had some comb hanging from the lid, some brood, some honey and some new empty comb. Not alot, but cockroaches occupied the utility box chamber and were no doubt robbing the comb. Maybe a thousand bees in this section. Queen had obviously been there recently, as there was open brood and workers still in larval stages…

Second, the two PVC pipes that emerge up into the utility box from below are clearly the main entrances to much larger chambers underground. Traffic there is super heavy and continuous.

SO, although i cut away the superficial comb and cleared the utility box of what few bits were there, the rest of the job is going to be a trap out, or just leave them BEE !

IF opinions recommend a trap out, I can try to prepare a box and set it out there for a week or two. Or anyone with a bee-vac can make shorter work of it. This is a robust and healthy colony from what i am seeing so far. Rather docile too.

Whatcha’ think ?
-Ron

[ron capri]

Hi Susan… you can CC me as well on any extra boxes as they come. i’ll be working to make 1 or 2 existing hives ready to receive from next week onward…

last year boxes went well. thank you.

thanks, Susan !
Ron

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