They make money by pollinating crops for farmers and by selling honey. Beekeepers must have certain equipment to work with bees. First they must have a bee veil that usually hangs around a plastic helmet and fits closely around the neck. This keeps the bees from stinging the beekeeper around the face and head. When bees are angry they usually try stinging as close to the eyes as possible, so the veil is very important.
Beekeepers use smoke to calm the bees down.
They do this by making a small fire in the smoker and squeezing the bellows to make the smoke come out. When bees are frightened they send out a special scent to alarm the other bees to attack. When a beekeeper uses smoke on a beehive, the bees are no longer able to smell the alarm scent so they keep on working in the hive. Beekeepers use special clothing to protect themselves from stings. Many commercial beekeepers feel that bee suits and gloves are too bulky and hot.