AU2019204596A1 - Device and method for the monitoring of a beehive - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for monitoring a beehive incorporating a brood nest, said apparatus including: a first and second electrically conductive array, said first array being located internally at the base of said beehive; said second array being located internally above a brood nest of said beehive; and an electrical measurement device, connected to both the first and the second array, that is capable of measuring the electrical impedance between them to a level of at least 200 MO. Figure 1 Figure 2 111:46

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE MONITORING OF A BEEHIVE

Technical Field [0001] The invention relates to the field of apiary and the constructions of beehives. In particular, the invention relates to an improved beehive, device and method for the monitoring of conditions in beehives likely to indicate the state of health of the hive population.

Background of the Invention [0002] One of the great pleasures of beekeeping is that bee colonies tend to be quite autonomous, so that by providing the colony with a hive or box of a suitable size, with removable frames, we have a means of inspecting the general health of the hive and also monitoring the quantity of honey that the hive has in storage.

[0003] With a degree of patience, reasonable weather conditions, a book and a comfortable chair, the apiarist can generally obtain a reasonable indication of the wellbeing of a beehive by direct observation. With the help of a smoker, an inspection can be undertaken on the inner working of the colony, if so required. In any case, however, to do this requires the apiarist to maintain a physical presence.

[0004] The occupation/hobby of bee keeping be greatly enhanced if there were some means available to remotely indicate the condition of a bee colony. If such remote monitoring were available, then some of the advantages might be: monitoring the readiness of the hive to swarm; assessing the condition of the queen and whether or not she has successfully mated; monitoring the disease related problems affecting the hive; indicating the presence population of pests such as black beetles; monitoring the condition of the hive during severe weather events; managing the problem of drifting bees; monitoring atmospheric odours that may affect the colony; providing a research platform that may assist in the resolution of other beekeeping problems.

[0005] There have been a number of methods described over the years in an attempt to develop an electronic means of understanding the condition of a colony, or its desire to swarm.

[0006] Typically, these have involved very simple measures such as weight cells connected to networks that allowed the transmission of changes in the mass of the

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 hive. This has proved useful in some respects, but not in a way that allows more sophisticated interpretation of bee colony conditions or health.

[0007] A device was developed some years ago that used a simple audio frequency amplifier with a microphone, placed in a hole cut in the side of the hive, so that the internal noise of the hive could be monitored. As the main frequency generated by the bees is around 280Hz, an audio filter was used to remove this frequency, making it possible to hear other frequencies being generated by the bees. With this instrument, it was found that up to three week’s warning of swarm preparations could be obtained.

[0008] However, practical and robust embodiments of this type of sound monitoring device are not readily available.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device that ameliorates at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention [0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for monitoring a beehive incorporating a brood nest, said apparatus including: a first and second electrically conductive array, said first array being located internally at the base of said beehive; said second array being located internally above a brood nest of said beehive; and an electrical measurement device, connected to both the first and the second array, that is capable of measuring the electrical impedance between them to a level of at least 200 ΜΩ and/or an alternating voltage range of 0 to 150 millivolts.

[0011] A ‘brood nest’ is the area of the hive where the queen bee resides and where young bees are raised.

[0012] The array as defined above is an electrically conductive member that spans the majority of the internal dimensions of the beehive and is capable of providing a relative electrical potential with reference to another such array inside the beehive. For example, the first array may be an electrically conductive coil, mesh, grate or sheet. Similarly, the second array may be an electrically conductive mesh or grate, such as a queen excluder.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0013] A ‘queen excluder’ is a selective barrier inside the beehive that allows worker bees but not the larger queens and drones to traverse the barrier. It usually takes the form of a metal grate or grid, and in the present context would be made from an electrically conductive material.

[0014] The electrical measurements device may be simple multimeter that is capable of measuring both the electrical impedance and the alternating voltage between the two metal plates. The impedance range is 0 to 200 ΜΩ megohms and an alternating voltage range of 0 to 150 millivolts.

[0015] The invention provides a novel and hitherto non-obvious way to measure an output from a hive that can be shown to relate to the environmental conditions in and around the hive that impact on hive health and/or productivity.

[0016] The inventor has discovered that measurement of electrical impedance and the alternating voltage between two conducting members placed on either side of the brood nest can act as proxy for determining the condition of the hive.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a beehive incorporating a brood nest and incorporating apparatus as defined above.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring the condition of a beehive incorporating a brood nest and incorporating apparatus as described above, said method including the step of measuring the electrical impedance between the first and second arrays to a level of at least 200 ΜΩ and an alternating voltage in the range of 0 to 150 millivolts.

[0019] Now will be described, by way of specific, non-limiting examples, preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0020] Figure 1 is a photograph of a disassembled beehive with a displaced queen excluder sitting on top, forming part of an apparatus according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a photograph of two multimeters capable of being used as part of the apparatus according to the invention.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0022] Figure 3 is a photograph of a disassembled beehive incorporating apparatus according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is a graph showing the recorded impedance of a hive with a SHB infestation.

[0024] Figure 5 is a graph showing the recorded impedance of two hives following exposure to high temperature.

[0025] Figure 6 is a graph showing the recorded impedance of a hive with a SHB infestation that is subsequently cleared.

[0026] Figure 7 is a graph showing the recorded impedance of a hive during a very hot day.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0027] Some knowledge of the inner workings of a beehive, together with a basic understanding of electronics and of a modern digital multimeter, of the type commonly sold in hardware stores and routinely used by electricians and others, will be helpful in the understanding of this work.

[0028] A typical modern beehive is an enclosed (wooden or plastic) structure in which honeybees live and raise their young. They usually consist of: a bottom board that typically has an entrance for the bees; boxes containing frames for brood and honey, the lowest box for the queen to lay eggs, and boxes above where honey is stored; and an inner cover and top cap providing weather protection.

[0029] It is common to use a grate-like structure called a queen excluder between the lowest box and the upper boxes to keep the queen and brood nest separate from the other parts of the nest, as the queen will be too large to pass through the grate.

[0030] For present purposes, it is required that the queen excluder be made of a conducting material, typically metal.

[0031] In a typical hive, there are three types of bees, who in various ways are important to the wellbeing of a colony of bees.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0032] The hive, under normal circumstances, will have only one queen, who has at least two important functions. The first is that she is an egg-laying machine, this being an extremely important function, particularly in the spring and summer when large numbers of young bees are required. Her second equally important function is the production of pheromones, which keep the other female worker bees happy and, if strong enough, reduce the hive’s desire to swarm but instead remain in the present hive.

[0033] The worker bees are undeveloped females and undertake many duties, some of which are age related. These bees are smaller in size and are able to move through a queen excluder, unlike the queen who is a larger and longer bee. The worker bees are responsible for all housekeeping duties and for the looking after and feeding of the Queen and the early stages of brood rearing. After a couple of weeks, the worker bees will undertake what is called an Orienteering flight’ which enables the bees to navigate backwards and forwards to the hive. These workers which are the bees that we see in the garden, are responsible for the gathering of the four essential products necessary for a beehive to survive: nectar, pollen, and as required, water and propolis. The worker bees also take on another important responsibility: guard duties. In the summer the worker bees often only survive for a period of around six weeks.

[0034] The third type of bee is the drone, which is a large bee and like the queen, is incapable of moving through the queen excluder. The drone’s main function is to mate with other queen bees on the wing; this obviously happens in the spring and summer months. There often are no drones in the hive during the winter months; the exception to this would be a strong hive, which may still maintain some drones at this time.

[0035] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a metal queen excluder with a conducting wire electrically connected, is placed in the hive above the brood nest. A metal plate, with conducting a wire electrically attached, is placed under the brood nest on the bottom board. This, in essence, provides two conducting surfaces, with a large number of bees therebetween, as illustrated in figure

1.

[0036] In order to avoid any space between the lower metal plate and the bottom board becoming a haven for pests, such as the Small Hive Beetle (SHB), it is preferred that the plate is a flat piece of steel, cut to the exact size of the bottom board (i.e. to the outer edge of the board) and placed under the risers.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0037] It should also be mentioned that there has been a modification commonly made to typical hive bottom boards in recent years, where a wire mesh with an aperture of 3.333 mm and a wire size of 0.900 mm has replaced the inner part of the bottom board to help with maintaining a suitable temperature and perhaps help control the population of small black beetles. It is equally possible to make an electrical connection to this mesh.

[0038] The above described hive structure is characterised by a situation where we have a large number of worker bees with a queen bee and possibly some drones between two metal plates, together with a number of frames of wax that will have various stages of brood. There should also be honey stored around the outside of the frames, with some pollen mixed with honey and is the main food source for bee larvae. The boxes above the excluder are accessible to the workers bees only and will be used for storing honey if the weather conditions are favourable. When this system is used, the removal of honey is not so difficult, as the queen has not been able to produce eggs and larvae above the excluder.

[0039] The inventor has typically used multi-strand insulated wire to connect the hive to the multimeter. The connection of the two wires to the hive is relatively simple: a short length of brass rod is soft soldered to the metal base board plate, arranged such that said brass rod extends out of the rear of the bottom board. This enables either a permanent wire connection (e.g. a soldered connection) or a temporary connection by means of e.g. an alligator clip, to the digital multimeter.

[0040] There are two methods of connecting a wire to the queen excluder. The wire can be soldered directly to the metal queen excluder. The second method is to solder a 1/8 brass rod to the side of the metal queen excluder, thus providing means of soldering a wire directly to the brass rod or using an alligator clip to make the connection to the digital multimeter.

[0041] The positive lead is connected to the queen excluder or above the brood nest, and the negative lead was then connected to the metal plate on the base board.

[0042] Figure 3 shows the brood box with a metal queen excluder with a wire attached with the base board, which has a metal base with provision to attach a wire connection at the rear.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0043] Care should be taken to keep the leads between the meter and the hive as short as possible, also taking care to keep the leads away from any fields, in particular any electrical mains wiring. Shielded cable has not been used, which may have helped produce more reasonable alternating voltage readings. It is preferred to use very short leads and take all readings as close to the hive as possible.

[0044] A high impedance multimeter can the connected to the two leads in order to measure impedance between the surfaces. It is recommended that impedance readings be taken at least 2-3 times per day, and preferably at least ten times per day, or more if automated.

[0045] With modern communication technology, it is possible to use the abovedescribed invention to provide a remote continuous monitoring system by using e.g. a Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi connection to the internet or a smart phone. It is preferred that any device that could be used to monitor the condition of a beehive should be simple to use, relatively easy to connect to a hive and the physical connections be able to withstand the rigours of commercial beekeeping.

[0046] A healthy hive in good weather in spring and summer will typically exhibit an impedance of around 200 ΜΩ. Stresses on the hive population will tend to cause the impedance to drop into the range of 30-50 ΜΩ. Such stresses can include: pest infestation; hot dry winds, cold temperatures, conflict between bees of different hives; etc.

[0047] All of these stressors are in turn likely to have a deleterious effect on honey production.

[0048] For a short period of time, a meter capable of reading values of impedance greater than 200 ΜΩ was used; however, this was found to be counterproductive, as during wet weather, as the impedance readings between wiring or switches gave confusing readings.

[0049] Rain unfortunately can confound impedance observations as it will also tend to depress impedance, especially in wooden hives. As a control, a hive with no bees can successfully be monitored in parallel, to filter the effect of rain or other environmental conditions.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0050] Different types of multimeter may be used, as shown in figure 2. Currently, the multimeter being used to measure the hive impedance is a Q1450, capable of reading impedance values up to 200 ΜΩ.

[0051] The hive will typically move into and out of what could be called ‘winter mode’ each year. This means that the hive impedance will change from a value in excess of 200 ΜΩ to a value below 50 ΜΩ in the autumn, reverting back to a value in excess of 200 megohm in the spring. There is a strong possibility that a low impedance is an indication that the egg-laying rate is very low. There are examples of a hive’s impedance being low because it is in winter mode changing back to an impedance above 200 ΜΩ if the winter weather changes from cold weather to warmer weather. It will revert back to a low impedance when the cold weather returns.

[0052] During periods of extremely hot and dry weather, normally during the months of December, January and February the hive impedance reading will drop below 200 ΜΩ during the hot afternoon sun, returning to a value above 200 ΜΩ into the evening. This could be an indication of the queen’s egg laying rate.

[0053] It has been observed that the impedance tends to be low when there are problems with the queen. It has been observed that most bee-related problems are often indicated by a low hive impedance, in particular infestation by the small hive beetle.

[0054] The recorded examples generally relate to a problem with the queen or hive and the various bee diseases, such as American foul brood disease, Nosema and Chalkbrood diseases. There are also examples of hives being poisoned. This is also indicated by a reduction in hive impedance.

[0055] Example 1: Small Hive Beetles (SHB) [0056] As the SHBs are native to a tropical/subtropical climate in Africa, they tend to be more of a problem in warmer climates. Generally speaking, they need temperatures above 20°C and will not survive in temperatures below 10°C. The type of soil around the hive can also influence their occurrence.

[0057] SHBs have become an increasingly greater problem for beehives and beekeepers in warmer climates such as in Sydney, Australia. For some years now, the incidence of SHB intrusions into the inventor’s hives has occurred almost each

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 year. This made it more difficult to manage the bees, but provided a significant amount of electrical data, thus providing a means of managing a hive with SHB infestation.

[0058] It has been observed by the inventor that that when a bee colony, living in a hive (with an impedance monitoring device according to the invention installed therein) is struggling because of a large number of SHB in and around the hive, then the hive impedance as measured by the device will regularly and consistently fall below 200 ΜΩ.

[0059] Assuming that there has been no rain, which tends to depress hive impedance, the first indication that there may be a SHB problem would be the hive impedance dropping below 200 ΜΩ during the day and returning to a figure above 200 ΜΩ in the evening. A second stage of the infestation occurs when, after several days as the SHB infestation increases, the impedance tends to remain permanently below 200 ΜΩ.

[0060] There is also the likelihood that opening the hive for inspection and exposing it to sunlight can have a significant impact on the hive or SHBs. There is also the possibility that the SHBs in and around the hive may be affected by lawn mowing taking place nearby. This was verified by an increase in the hive impedance after some lawn mowing.

[0061] The invention provides a strong indication that a SHB infestation is progressing and therefore a warning sign that steps need to be taken to manage this.

[0062] Figure 4 graphically shows the recorded impedance of a hive with a SHB infestation. The features of figure 4 are interpreted in table 1 below>

[0063] Table 1.

X-Axis Point	Observation
18	Hive in ‘spring mode’ with impedance typically at or above 200 ΜΩ.
161-167	Rain

2019204596 28 Jun 2019

189-211	Low daytime impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
238-239	Rain
243	Low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
246	Low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
262-266	Low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
271	Rain.
273-275	Low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
284	Low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
289-292	Low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation evident.
295-297	Sustained low impedance in clear weather - SHB infestation progressing.

[0064] As observed, the hive had been experiencing an impedance below 200 ΜΩ during the afternoon but returning to a value in excess of 200 ΜΩ in the evening as the SHB infestation started. However, from point 295 onward the hive impedance remained well below 200 ΜΩ as the SHB infestation progressed.

[0065] Accordingly, the use of such impedance measurement can provide a useful indicator of SHB infestation, particularly where it is possible to remotely monitor the impedance by connecting the impedance meter to a wireless communication system.

[0066] Example 2: High Temperature/Loss of Queen [0067] Figure 5 shows the recorded impedance of two hives that have experienced environmental stress from high ambient temperatures in excess of 38°C. The hive has installed in it apparatus according to the invention.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0068] In this figure, Hive 1 impedance is represented by the blue line and Hive 3 is represented by the orange line. The x-axis represents time. It can be observed that Hive 1 is a relatively strong hive, having an impedance above 200 ΜΩ for the most part. Hive 3 is an apparently weaker hive.

[0069] The progress of the hives can be summarised in the table below:

X-Axis Point	Observation
2-4	Normal hives with impedances above 200 ΜΩ.
5-17	Impedance of both hives has dropped, and the hives’ function is apparently not normal, as indicated by a reduction in the impedance of both hives. This is being caused by exposure to maximum temperatures of above 38°C over a number of days.
31	Hive inspection reveals that Hive 3 now has no queen, likely due to the excessive heat. Its impedance remains low. A frame of brood and young eggs is removed from Hive 1 and placed in Hive 3. Hive 1 has returned to impedance of above 200 ΜΩ after the return of cooler temperatures.
53-62	Rain periods cause the impedance of Hive 1 to dip, then return to a value above 200 ΜΩ at point 62 in fiver weather. Hive 3 had been showing signs of recovery via higher impedance prior to the rain periods, but the rain periods have caused the Hive 3 impedance to become depressed again and the hive’s recovery has slowed.
125	Hive inspection reveals that Hive 3 now has a laying queen.
128	Hive impedance of hive three is now increasing, an indication that the laying queen is driving a return to normal function and concomitant higher impedance.

[0070] Example 3 - Eradication of Small Hive Beetle (SHB) Infestation

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0071] Figure 6 shows the recorded impedance of a hive fitted with apparatus according to the invention.

[0072] It can be seen that, initially (time point 1 - 22), the hive has an abnormally low impedance, this is an indication that all is not well with this hive.

[0073] At time point 23 a full hive inspection was carried out and confirmed a SHB infestation. This was cleared during the inspection.

[0074] It can be seen that from point 23 - 72 the hive impedance returned to at or above 200 ΜΩ as the cleared hive function returned to normal.

[0075] Example 4 - Periods of High Temperature [0076] Figure 7 shows the recorded impedance of a hive fitted with apparatus according to the invention, during a day in which the environmental temperature rose above 30°C after midday.

[0077] It can be seen that initially during the morning (points 1-39) the hive maintained a relatively stable impedance value in the range 60-80 ΜΩ.

[0078] As the temperature increased after midday, the hive impedance began to decrease toward 30-40 ΜΩ: an indication that the hive is under stress (points 39 -59).

[0079] As the temperature decreased to approximately 22°C in the evening (point 59-67), it can be observed that the measured hive impedance returned to an impedance value of 60-80 ΜΩ, as experienced in the cooler morning conditions.

[0080] Example 5 - High Pressure System Causing an Increase in Alternating Voltages [0081] Under certain circumstances, it appears that a beehive can react to the movement of changing air pressure systems, e.g. systems moving from inland Australia and across the coast towards New Zealand.

[0082] Apart from measuring the impedance of a beehive, we can also measure any alternating voltages being generated by the bees.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0083] The preferred method of measuring and connecting to a beehive to measure the alternating voltages is the same as measuring the hive impedance. A digital multimeter is used that is capable of measuring up to 150 millivolts, as shown in Figure 2. The meter uses the wires connected to the metal base board and the metal queen excluder.

[0084] When a large high-pressure system approaches the hive location, there will typically be a distinct change in the weather: the temperature will typically decrease, the wind speed will typically increase, and it may rain.

[0085] On a normal day, the alternating voltage readings in the hive would normally give a value of 30 to 40 millivolts. However, under the above high pressure conditions the alternating voltage being generated will typically exceed 100 millivolts.

[0086] This event will typically last for a number of hours; the alternating voltage readings will return to a normal value after the high-pressure system has passed.

[0087] An example of this occurred on 10^th October 2013 in Sydney, Australia In a hive incorporating apparatus as per the invention.

[0088] This was a relatively hot day for October in Sydney, as the temperature had reached 35°C. There was a warm wind blowing from the south-west, but this appeared to have no effect on the hive impedance. It seemed to remain above 200 ΜΩ. The humidity was also very low.

[0089] There were measured indications that the hive was not normal. The alternating voltage readings had moved to a value above 100 millivolts, which is high. The field indicator LED was also on and hits were being registered. At about 11,00pm a southerly change moved into Sydney causing a drop in temperature. Impedance and alternating voltage readings taken the next morning had returned to normal levels of around 40 millivolts and the LED was off.

[0090] On the 12^th May 2019 another example was experienced. A large highpressure system was approaching Sydney, this system extended down towards Tasmania. On its arrival at the hive location, a high alternating voltage of approximately 100 millivolts was measured in the hive, together with hits. This would seem to indicate that the bees were responding to this drop in pressure.

2019204596 28 Jun 2019 [0091] A similar event was experienced on the 5^th April 2019, where an approaching high-pressure system generated alternating voltage readings, together with hits.

[0092] A further example of this occurred on the 3^rd June 2019: a high-pressure system was approaching Sydney, with a low-pressure system preceding it. This resulted in strong winds from the south, together with some rain. This event was again accompanied by an increase in the alternating voltage readings, which generated hits.

[0093] It should also be understood that high alternating voltages can also be recorded under other bee related changes to a beehive, an example of this would be swarming.

[0094] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above described embodiment is merely one example of how the inventive concept can be implemented. It will be understood that other embodiments may be conceived that, while differing in their detail, nevertheless fall within the same inventive concept and represent the same invention.

Claims (7)

1. Claims

   1. Apparatus for monitoring a beehive incorporating a brood nest, said apparatus including: a first and second electrically conductive array, said first array being located internally at the base of said beehive; said second array being located internally above a brood nest of said beehive; and an electrical measurement device, connected to both the first and the second array, that is capable of measuring the electrical impedance between them to a level of at least 200 ΜΩ and/or an alternating voltage range of 0 to 150 millivolts.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first array is an electrically conductive coil, mesh, grate or sheet.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second array is an electrically conductive mesh or grate.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second array is an electrically conductive queen excluder.
5. 5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the electrical measurement device is a multimeter.
6. 6. A beehive incorporating a brood nest and incorporating apparatus as defined in any preceding claim.
7. 7. A method of monitoring the condition of a beehive incorporating a brood nest according to claim 6, said method including the step of measuring the electrical impedance between the first and second arrays to a level of at least 200 ΜΩ and/or an alternating voltage range of 0 to 150 millivolts.