As a beekeeper, it is important to choose the right gloves to protect you from stings. Nitrile gloves are a popular choice because they are thick enough to provide good protection, but still allow you to feel what you are doing. However, nitrile gloves can be expensive and they can make your hands sweat.
Do nitrile gloves protect from bee stings?
There are a few things to consider when determining whether or not nitrile gloves are right for you. you'll want to think about the fit of the gloves. Nitrile gloves come in a variety of sizes, so you'll want to make sure you choose a size that fits well. All of these factors will help you determine whether or not nitrile gloves are right for you.
The nitrile gloves protect the hands from getting stung by bees. The material is thin and the bees can sting through them; however, the material has a waxy feel to bees, so they are not particularly interested in it.
Bees are attracted to the smell of leather, and when I wear gloves made of this material, they are more likely to sting me. The stinger does not penetrate the skin, but it remains in the glove.
A pheromone is a chemical that is released by an animal that can alter the behavior of other animals. In bees, a pheromone is released when a bee is alarmed that tells other bees to be on alert. This pheromone can cause more bees to sting if they are close by.
I often wear nitrile gloves when handling bees, as they seem to be less inclined to sting the gloves. That being said, I have still been stung while wearing them - though it's usually when I accidentally press my finger directly onto a bee. All in all, I find that they offer some protection, but it's not foolproof.
Bees are able to sting leather because they recognize it as something that is similar to their own skin. While nitrile is something foreign to them, bees don't seem to know that they can sting it.
The Pros of Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves offer many benefits over other glove materials.
Cleanliness
Wearing nitrile gloves while working with my bees helps to keep them cleaner and healthier. By reducing the amount of exposure they have to my hands and other potential contaminants, I am helping them to stay strong and healthy. In addition, these gloves provide a barrier against stings, which is always a bonus!
I really like that I can change my nitrile gloves often to keep from cross-contaminating hives. I don't have to worry about using the same gloves for different hives and then inadvertently infecting them. This is a big deal for me, and it's one of the reasons I switched to nitrile gloves in the first place.
Sensitivity
Wearing nitrile gloves while working with beehives offers a number of advantages over not wearing gloves at all or wearing gloves made from other materials. Nitrile gloves allow for much freer movement of the hands and fingers, and I don’t have issues with my gloves getting caught up under frames or on other hive components. In general, it is easier to work the hive when wearing nitrile gloves.
Wearing gloves while handling bees is important for protecting your skin from stings. It's also easier to handle the bees because you can feel everything through your gloves.
I can usually feel when I put my finger on a bee, for example, and remove it before the bee is accidentally smooshed. I also like that I can feel temperature through the gloves. It's like an extra layer of skin that protects me from the elements.
Easy to clean
Nitrile gloves are less absorbent than leather gloves, so they require less time to clean. Nitrile gloves are also more resistant to wear and tear, so they last longer.
When I am working with bees, I like to keep a bucket of water near me. This way, if my hands get too sticky with honey, I can dip them into the water and wash it off. It's much easier than trying to wipe it off with a dry cloth.
In contrast to other materials like cloth, leather gloves become bulkier and more difficult to use when they get wet. They also tend to cling to your skin.
The Cons of Nitrile Gloves
While nitrile gloves are superior to leather gloves in many ways, they also have some drawbacks. One downside is that they are not as comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Another is that they can be more expensive than leather gloves.
Not environmentally friendly
It really cuts down on the amount of time I spend cleaning up after opening hives.If you manage a lot of hives, or inspect them frequently, you may produce a lot of waste in nitrile gloves. For some beekeepers, this can be a significant amount of trash. Wearing gloves while working with bees can help to reduce the amount of time spent cleaning up afterwards.
They keep my hands clean and protected while I'm working in the hive. However, they can get pretty dirty and smelly after a while. To offset this, I have made a dirty pile for my gloves. After wearing them, I put them in the dirty pile and bring them inside to wash them. That way I can wear them again. I try to wear the gloves until they rip.
Although this is a nice solution, I feel I still make more trash than I did when I wore the leather gloves.
The Sweat
If you're working in a hot environment, it's important to stay hydrated and take breaks often. Wearing nitrile gloves can help protect your hands from possible damage, but they can also trap sweat and make your hands uncomfortably hot. If you're going to be wearing nitrile gloves for an extended period of time, make sure to take breaks often to let your hands cool down.
Use or not
Both nitrile gloves and leather gloves have their own characteristics. Whether to use them is only up to your own preferences. It is best to use the right gloves in the right place.
