Asian Hornet protective suit PRO

If you have ever had to approach a nest of Asian hornets (Vespa velutina), you know this is not about “a couple of stings”. Once the nest feels threatened, the attack comes in a swarm, with workers hitting the suit, searching for gaps, stinging again and again and even spitting venom at your face. A conventional beekeeper suit is simply not designed for that.

This certified and patented suit specifically designed for Vespa velutina was created for exactly that scenario: to provide real protection in high-risk interventions without turning the operator into a rigid, immobile statue. It is built with a double-layer system and padded polyester that creates a safety chamber between the sting and the skin, offering protection against stings up to 10 mm long while still allowing good mobility.

The structure combines an outer beige fabric (65% polyester / 35% cotton, 240 g/m²), an inner 100% polyester padding of 200 g/m² and an internal lining again 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 240 g/m². The result is a technical garment of around 4 kg, light for the level of protection it offers, with a cushioned feel that absorbs impacts and repeated stings.

All critical areas of the body have been carefully designed: elastic cuffs at wrists, ankles and feet, gaiters with three anchoring points (including a strap under the sole) and a front metal zipper with double slider, protected by a full flap with velcro closure. The hood is attached by a nylon zipper with slider and separator and closes onto itself to avoid any gaps, which is crucial when Asian hornets go for the face.

The head area is one of the strongest points. The suit includes a helmet certified to EN397 with ratchet adjustment and chin strap, fitted with a polycarbonate visor certified EN166 1B 3 and reinforced with aluminium. This visor protects against impacts and, above all, against venom spray that hornets may direct at the eyes. The hood provides wide peripheral vision, up to about 180–360º, thanks to the plastic/glass fibre mesh coated with Teflon, 2x2 mm, and features specific padded protection from the nape to the ear area, where many stings tend to concentrate when you work bent over.

Your hands are protected by certified EN388 gloves, rubber-coated for puncture resistance and with a Kevlar lining, joined to fabric gauntlets with elastic at the end so that there is no exposed skin between glove and sleeve. At the bottom, gaiters with upper and lower elastic plus a third strap under the foot prevent hornets from entering through the trousers, even when walking through brush or climbing ladders.

Designed for real field work, the suit includes a spray holder on the leg and another on the back with elastic straps to carry a second aerosol when the nest is very large or located high up. The adjustable belt with quick-release nylon buckle helps distribute weight and keep the suit in place during long interventions.

The beige colour is not just aesthetics: it was chosen to reduce contrast and the risk of being detected during approach and retreat. Vespa velutina relies heavily on differences in heat and contrast; a neutral, low-profile shade helps the operator blend in better with the surroundings, especially when working on walls, trees or structures.

It is important to understand that this is a specialised intervention garment: ideal for firefighters, pest control teams, local authorities and beekeepers who remove nests, but more bulky and warmer than a conventional hive suit for daily use. It does not replace good practice (distance, planning, clear escape route, suitable tools and sprays), but it makes a huge difference in safety when the nest activates and the attack becomes massive.

Integrated technical specifications: outer beige fabric 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 240 g/m²; inner padding 100% polyester, 200 g/m²; inner lining 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 240 g/m²; hood with glass-fibre mesh coated with Teflon, 2x2 mm, and wide vision; padded protection from nape to ears; helmet certified EN397 with polycarbonate visor EN166 1B 3 and ventilation holes; nylon zipper on hood with slider and separator; front metal zipper with double slider and full flap with velcro; spray holder on back and on leg with elastic straps; adjustable belt with quick-release nylon buckle; EN388 certified anti-sting rubber-coated gloves with Kevlar lining and elastic gauntlets; gaiters with upper and lower elastic and a third strap under the sole; total weight of the set around 4 kg.