WO2021225457A1

WO2021225457A1 - Systems, apparatus and methods for thermal control of beehive pests

Info

Publication number: WO2021225457A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2021/050081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair Roy BELL; Brent Nicholas BELL; James Stephen Emslie; Vijay PREMA; Gareth Paul Bell
Original assignee: Hivesite Limited
Priority date: 2020-05-08
Filing date: 2021-05-10
Publication date: 2021-11-11

Abstract

A thermal pest treatment system for installation in a beehive is disclosed. The system includes a base unit including a heating element, the base unit supporting a brood box of the beehive. A cover unit is provided to a top of a honey super box supported by the brood box, the cover unit including a photovoltaic power generation device and an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device. At least one controller of the cover unit controls heating of the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box to perform a heat treatment.

Description

SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR THERMAL CONTROL OF BEEHIVE PESTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus, and methods for thermal control of pests within a beehive, particularly the Varroa mite.

CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based on the provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application No. 764300, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a parasitic bee pest, that lives on both adult bees, as well as in unhatched brood cells. Adult bees are weakened by the Varroa mite, while unborn brood is irreversibly damaged due to the transfer of viruses such as deformed wing virus.

[0004] Varroa mites directly affect individual bees via the consumption of bee fat body tissue. Varroa mites cause a reduction in the bee's immune response thereby allowing viruses to ravage individual bees. The virus damages the body and brain of the bee reducing or eliminating its ability to contribute to the hive. For example, the deformed wing virus renders the wings of the bees useless, so they cannot forage. In the case of viable wings brain damage means the bees cannot find their way back to the hive after foraging. Viruses are found inside Varroa mites, and therefore the mites are a vector to introduce and spread viruses between individual bees and beehives.

[0005] Bees have very little natural defense against the mites. Occasionally some bees, in some hives, have learned to remove the mites by grooming, however, these hives are rare. These bees can be more aggressive which is an undesirable trait for bee-keepers.

[0006] Mites find their way inside the hive attached to bees. Although blind, the mites navigate using pheromones to find and crawl inside brood cells, moving between the cell wall and the larvae, through to the royal jelly that is left by the bees for their larvae. The mite crawls inside the food on the bottom of the cell and starts feeding. The mites have tubes to breathe through while in the food. After the bee pupa has finished all of the food the mite crawls onto the bee pupae and starts feeding on the bee pupae. It then, firstly, lays a male egg on the inside of the cell wall, and then several female eggs. The male will mate with the new females. The adult mites leave the cell when the bees emerge from the cell and attach themselves to new adult bees. Once a hive becomes infected with Varroa Mite the population will grow exponentially if unchecked, manifesting in severe weakening of the hive both due to the parasitic effect of the feeding mites and due to transmitted viruses ultimately leading to the bee colony collapsing.

[0007] It is notable that since Varroa mites have been introduced into New Zealand feral colonies (i.e. bees that have split off from domestic hives and are now living in the wild), do not last for more than one season. And in fact, feral bee numbers have been greatly reduced. It can be concluded that beehives cannot sustain themselves in the presence of Varroa mites without beekeeper intervention.

[0008] Chemical treatments are widely known for use in combatting the Varroa mite, for example those based on synthetic pyrethroids, and are typically applied to the hive multiple times in a year. These treatments are costly, introduce pesticides into the environment, are semi-toxic to bees, and are subject to resistance. A commercial beekeeper with many hives faces considerable management, economic, logistic, and biological challenges using this approach. Each site visit costs money and time, and the total number of sites that one beekeeper can look after is limited by the number of visits they must make to each site.

[0009] For example, Fluvalinate is embedded in synthetic polymer strips and placed within the hive so that the bees can rub on the strips and transfer chemicals throughout the hive. The activity of the strips starts to decline within 8 weeks of application. Therefore, if the strips are not removed, lower concentrations of the chemical mean that a percentage of the mites are not killed and therefore those remaining mites will pass on their resistance to subsequent generations. As a result, one visit must be made to the hive to put the strips and another visit must be made to remove the strips. Also noteworthy is the cost of the treatments, as well as limitations around their use during the honey flow.

[0010] Exposing Varroa mites to temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius is known to kill juveniles and adults depending on time and duration. Flowever, there remains room for improvement with regard to currently known thermal treatment solutions, particularly for use in commercial operations.

[0011] For example, a number of such heat treatment systems require site visitation and manual operation or observation to perform a treatment - therefore having many similar issues to chemical treatments with regard to practicality and commercial viability. In contrast, automated systems are known which alleviate these issues, but have significant capital costs which reduce their viability (especially when scaled for use in commercial operations).

[0012] Aspects of the technology of the present disclosure are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

[0013] Further aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. SUMMARY

[0014] According to one aspect of the present technology there is provided a beehive having a thermal pest treatment system, including: a base unit including a heating element; a brood box supported by the base unit; at least one honey super box supported by the brood box; a cover unit provided to a top of the honey super box, the cover unit including: a photovoltaic power generation device; an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device; at least one controller configured to: control heating of the heating element through delivery of power from the electrical energy storage device to the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box.

[0015] In examples, the beehive includes: a queen excluder provided between the brood box and the honey super box, including: a barrier portion having a superior surface and an inferior surface, wherein the barrier portion includes at least one worker transfer portion having a plurality of worker transfer holes between the superior surface and the inferior surface, wherein each worker transfer hole is dimensioned to permit passage of a worker bee and exclude passage of a queen bee; wherein the barrier portion includes a continuous barrier portion proximate a centre of the queen excluder.

[0016] In examples, the at least one worker transfer portion includes a front transfer portion between a front of the barrier portion and the continuous barrier portion.

[0017] In examples, the at least one worker transfer portion includes a first side portion between a first side of the barrier portion and the continuous barrier portion, and a second side portion between a second side of the barrier portion and the continuous barrier portion.

[0018] In examples, the queen excluder includes a first baffle projecting from the inferior surface of the barrier portion between the first side portion and the continuous barrier portion, and a second baffle projecting from the inferior surface of the barrier portion between the second side portion and the continuous barrier portion.

[0019] In examples, the continuous barrier portion is inclined or curved in a superior direction between a front of the barrier portion and a rear of the barrier portion. [0020] In examples, each of the worker transfer holes includes a chamfered edge between the inferior surface and the superior surface.

[0021] In examples, at least a portion of the worker transfer holes are elongate slots.

[0022] In examples, the heating element only extends across a portion of the brood box.

[0023] In examples, the cover unit includes a cover body and the photovoltaic power generation device is provided to a superior facing surface of the cover body, wherein the photovoltaic power generation device includes a first photovoltaic cell portion and a second photovoltaic cell portion having a gap therebetween

[0024] In examples, the cover body includes a restraint locating feature on each side of the photovoltaic power generation device, wherein the restraint locating features align with the gap.

[0025] In examples, the cover body includes at least one drainage channel on a side of the photovoltaic power generation device.

[0026] In examples, the at least one controller is configured to automatically initiate a heat treatment at a predetermined time.

[0027] In examples, the at least one controller is configured such that initiation of a heat treatment is based at least in part on one or more detected environmental conditions.

[0028] In examples, the at least one controller is configured to: control charging of the electrical energy storage device to a first voltage; determine that a heat treatment is to be performed through heating of the heating element, and control charging of the electrical energy storage device to a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage; and determine that the heat treatment is complete, and control charging of the electrical energy storage device to the first voltage.

[0029] In examples, the brood box and the at least one honey super box have a Langstroth hive box configuration.

[0030] In examples, the at least one controller is configured to perform the heat treatment for the treatment of Varroa destructor mites.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present technology there is provided a beehive having a thermal pest treatment system, including: a plurality of beehives, each including: a base unit including a heating element; a brood box supported by the base unit; at least one honey super box provided to the brood box; a cover unit provided to a top of one of the plurality of beehives, the cover unit including: a photovoltaic power generation device; an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device; at least one controller configured to: control heating of each of the heating elements of the plurality of beehives through delivery of power from the electrical energy storage device to the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box.

[0032] In examples the beehive unit includes a support platform to which each of the plurality of beehives is mounted, wherein the support platform is configured to be placed on the ground in use. In examples, the base unit of each beehive is integrated into the support platform.

[0033] In examples, each of the plurality of beehives to which the cover unit is not provided includes a top cover, wherein a height of each of the plurality of beehives is substantially the same.

[0034] According to one aspect of the present technology there is provided a thermal pest treatment system for installation in a beehive, including: a base unit including a heating element, wherein the base unit is configured to support a brood box of the beehive; a cover unit configured to be provided to a top of a honey super box supported by the brood box, the cover unit including: a photovoltaic power generation device; an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device; at least one controller configured to: control heating of the heating element through delivery of power from the electrical energy storage device to the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box.

[0035] The above and other features will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a beehive having an exemplary thermal pest treatment system according to one aspect of the present technology.

[0038] FIG. IB is a perspective view of an exemplary base unit of the treatment system.

[0039] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an exemplary cover unit of the treatment system.

[0040] FIG. ID is a perspective view of an exemplary queen excluder of the treatment system.

[0041] FIG. IE is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary worker transfer hole of the queen excluder. [0042] FIG. IF is a cross-sectional perspective view of a brood box of the beehive with the base unit and queen excluder installed.

[0043] FIG. 1G is a cross-sectional front view of the brood box with the base unit and queen excluder installed.

[0044] FIG. 1H is a perspective view of an exemplary hive unit having an exemplary thermal pest treatment system according to one aspect of the present technology.

[0045] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary thermal pest treatment system according to one aspect of the present technology.

[0046] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary distributed system including the thermal pest treatment system according to one aspect of the present technology.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a graph of various traces during an exemplary heating cycle of the thermal pest treatment system.

[0048] FIG. 4A is a perspective thermal image of a brood box following a heating cycle of the thermal pest treatment system.

[0049] FIG. 4A is a side thermal image of a frame following a heating cycle of the thermal pest treatment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary beehive 1000 incorporating a thermal pest treatment system according to one aspect of the present technology. The present disclosure will discuss configuration and use of the present technology in the context of treatment of the Varroa Destructor mite ("varroa mite"). The beehive 1000 includes a base unit 1100, supporting a first hive box 1002 (herein referred to as brood box 1002) and at least one second hive box 1020 (herein referred to as honey super 1020). In examples, the brood box 1002 and the honey super(s) 1020 may utilize a Langstroth hive box configuration. A queen excluder 1300 is provided between the brood box 1002 and the honey super 1020, and a cover unit 1200 is provided to the top of the uppermost honey super 1020. For completeness, while the examples of the present technology are depicted and described herein with reference to use of the queen excluder 1300, embodiments are contemplated in which the queen excluder 1300 is not utilised.

[0051] Referring to FIG. IB, the base unit 1100 includes a base body 1102. The base body 1102 includes thermally insulating material to limit dissipation of heat in a downwards direction, for example through use of material such as a thermally insulating plastics material in construction of the base body 1102, and/or inclusion of one or more layers of insulating material. It is envisaged that the use of a plastics material may also assist in providing electrical insulation. Location ridges 1104 are provided on a superior surface of the base body 1102, to assist with locating the base unit 1100 relative to the brood box 1002. A base entrance 1106 in the form of an opening in the location ridge 1104 along the front side of the base unit 1102 enables bee entrance and exit from the beehive 1000. Fastener points 1108 (e.g., holes through which fasteners may be passed) are provided in each corner of the base body 1102 to assist with securing the base unit 110 in place.

[0052] The base unit 1100 further includes a heating element 1120 secured relative to the base body 1102. It is envisaged that the heating element 1120 may be releasably secured to the base body 1102, for example using clips or screws. In examples, the heating element 1120 includes a core panel (e.g. an aluminum core board) having one or more conductive traces (e.g. a single serpentine copper track). It will be appreciated that trace length, thickness and width may be configured to achieve a desired current, and therefore electrical to thermal conversion given a fixed voltage constraint from a selected power source. In examples, an air cavity may be provided below the heating element 1120 in order to enable airflow on superior and inferior surfaces of the heating element 1120.

[0053] A heating element temperature sensor (not illustrated) is thermally coupled to the heating element 1120, and configured to provide an output signal indicative of the temperature of the heating element 1120. A base central air temperature sensor 1122 is provided towards the centre of the heating element 1120, for use in measuring air temperature (as will be described further below). In examples, the base unit 1100 may include one or more further air temperature sensors - for example, disposed towards the rear of the base unit 1100 (i.e. the edge opposing the base entrance 1106).

[0054] A cable connector port 1124 is provided for connection through to the cover unit 1200. Referring to FIG. 1A, a main cable 1030 connects between the cover unit 1200 and distribution box 1040. Connector cables 1060a to 1060d connect between the distribution box 1040 and the respective cable connector ports 1124 of base units 1100 controlled and powered by the cover unit 1200, as described further below. [0055] Referring to FIG. 1C, the cover unit 1200 includes a cover body 1202, having a solar panel 104 provided to a superior surface thereof. The solar panel 1204 includes a first photovoltaic cell portion 1206a and second photovoltaic cell portion 1206b, having a gap therebetween. In examples, the cover body 1202 includes at least one drain channel 1208 - in the example illustrated a drain channel 1208 is provided on both sides of the solar panel 1204 - to encourage run-off of rain or condensation from the solar panel 1204. In examples, the solar panel 1204 have be curved or angled relative to a horizontal plane in order to further encourage run-off from the solar panel 1204 - either into the drainage channels 1208, or to the front or rear of the cover body 1202.

[0056] The cover body 1202 further includes locating features 1210, in the form of recesses, to either side of the solar panel 1204. A restraint, such as a strap, may be passed over the cover unit 1200 between the locating features 1210 and secured to a mounting point (for example a pallet on which the beehive 1000 is seated) to reduce the likelihood of the beehive 1000 being blown or knocked over. Superior facing surfaces of the locating features adjacent the solar panel 1204 - i.e. leading into drainage channels 1208 - are elevated above the solar panel such that the restraint does not bear against the solar panel 1204 and cause damage to same. In this example, the locating features align with the gap between the first photovoltaic cell portion 1206a and the second photovoltaic cell portion 1206b, such that when the restraint is in place the likelihood of shadowing on the photovoltaic cells is reduced.

[0057] Electronic components of the system, described further below, may be located within the cover body 1202. Such components may be protected from the elements, for example using an internal gasket to provide a rain seal, and/or membranes made of material that prevents ingress of liquid while allowing for egress of air and moisture.

[0058] The queen excluder is envisaged as keeping three main functions: (i) keeping the queen in the brood box 1002 so that the super boxes 1020 above contain pure honey, and no brood, for simplified harvesting at the end of the honey flow, (ii) allowing passage of worker bees between the brood box 1002 and the super boxes 1020 (in order to perform their roles, and also enable distribution of the queen pheromone ), and (iii) providing thermal separation between the bottom box and the topmost boxes, as will be described further below. Referring to FIG. ID, in examples the queen excluder 1300 includes a perimeter wall 1302, having an excluder front entrance 1304 on a superior edge of a front portion of the perimeter wall 1302 at a central location between the sides of the queen excluder 1300. The excluder front entrance allows enables bee entrance and exit from the beehive 1000 at a point above the brood box 1002.

[0059] The queen excluder 1300 includes a barrier portion 1306 bounded by the perimeter wall 1302. The excluder front entrance 1304 opens onto a superior surface of the barrier portion 1306. The barrier portion includes a front transfer portion 1308 adjacent to the excluder front entrance 1304, the front transfer portion 1308 having a plurality of worker transfer holes 1310. Each worker transfer hole 1310 is in the form of a slot, having sufficient width to permit worker bees to pass therethrough, but prevent passage by the queen. For example, the width of the worker transfer hole 1310 may be in the order of between 4 mm and 10 mm. For completeness, it should be appreciated that reference herein to a worker bee is intended to encompass bees having a forager role.

[0060] The queen excluder 1330 further includes lateral baffles 1312 projecting from the inferior surface of the barrier portion 1306 and extending between front and rear portions of the perimeter wall 1302 on either side of the front transfer portion 1308. The barrier portion 1306 further includes side transfer portions 1314 between each lateral baffle 1312 and a respective side portion of the perimeter wall 1302, extending between the front and rear portions of the perimeter wall 1302. Each side transfer portion 1314 includes a plurality of worker transfer holes 1310 distributed along its length - in this example, two columns of adjacent slots.

[0061] The barrier portion 1306 further includes a central barrier portion 1316 between the lateral baffles 1312, rear portion of the perimeter wall 1302, and the front transfer portion 1308. In this example the central barrier portion 1316 has a continuous surface in the sense of not including holes between its superior and inferior surfaces.

[0062] In examples, the central barrier portion 1316 is inclined, or curved, in a superior direction between the front transfer portion 1308 and a rear wall interior surface 1318 of the perimeter wall 1302. It is envisaged that this configuration may encourage warm air convection circulation towards the rear, away from the front transfer portion 1308. Reinforcing ribs 1320 are provided on the inferior surface of the central barrier portion 1316, together with a spacing support member 1322.

[0063] Referring to FIG. IE, each worker transfer holes 1310 may have a chamfered edge 1324 to encourage bees to pass through the holes 1310, rather than simply walking over them. Reference to a chamfered edge should be understood to mean an edge of a structure that is not perpendicular to the faces of the piece, such that there is a transitional surface between the two faces. It should be appreciated that the chamfered edge may not be planar - e.g. the transition between the inferior and superior surfaces of the barrier portion 1306 may be curved.

[0064] In examples the queen excluder 1300 may be made from a thermally insulating plastics material. In examples the material may be of a food grade in view of the potential exposure to honey collected from the honey super 1020.

[0065] Referring to FIG. IF, the brood box 1002 is seated on the base unit 1100, with the queen excluder 1300 installed at the top of brood box 1002. The brood box 1002 has side walls 1004, and contains a plurality of frames 1006 spaced apart across the brood box 1002 between the side walls 1004 (i.e. such that the frames 1006 extend between the front and rear of the queen excluder 1300). Referring to FIG. 1G, the heating element 1120 does not extend across the entire width of the brood box 1002 - i.e. does not extend to at least one outermost frame 1006 on either side of the brood box 1002. Convection currents within the hive, driven by buoyancy, are significantly two-dimensional in nature between the frames. The frames 1006 act as thermal baffles, with air cavities between the frames outer frames 1006 and the side walls 1004 of the brood box 1002 presenting the greatest thermal loss due to conduction through the walls 1004 to the outside. This produces lateral cool zones 1008 within the air cavities. The side transfer portions 1314 are configured to substantially align with the lateral cool zones 1008, allowing for transfer of bees while reducing heat loss.

[0066] As a result, heat from the heating element 1120 is concentrated within central heating zone 1010. The queen generally lays eggs towards the middle of the brood box 1002 in a stand-alone hive (i.e. within the generally indicated brood region 1012, although the brood pattern is more typically a 3D volume similar in shape to a rugby ball). In a 10-frame box, the brood will mostly be concentrated in the middle six frames and the two outer frames on each side will predominantly have stored food sources (e.g. pollen and honey). The cooler areas further provide locations in which the queen may move if experiencing discomfort during heat treatment. Further description of the operation of the heating element 1120 is provided below.

[0067] FIG. 1H shows a hive unit 1400 including a support platform 1402, e.g. migratory pallet, on which multiple beehives 1000 may be mounted. While only the base units 1100b, 1100c, and 1100c of three of the beehives 1000 are illustrated, it should be appreciated that each includes a brood box 1002, queen excluder 1300, and at least one honey super 1010. A single cover unit 1200 supplies power to, and controls operation of, each of the beehives 1000 of the hive unit 1400. The external dimensions of the cover unit 1200, particularly height, may be selected to approximate typical beehive covers - therefore enabling even stacking of multiple hive units 1400 for transportation. Alternative examples are envisaged in which the components of the base units llOOa-d are integrated into the support platform 1402.

[0068] FIG. 2A shows an exemplary thermal pest treatment system 2000 implemented in beehive 1000 and hive unit 1400. The cover unit 1200 includes solar panel 1204 and solar regulator 1230 supplying at least one energy storage device of the cover unit 1200 (e.g. battery 1232). A battery management system 1234 regulates charging and maintenance of the battery 1232. Voltage regulator 1236 is controlled by controller 1238 to supply of power to the respective base units 1100. Controller 1238 controls various components of the system, and controls the receiving and transmission of data from and to various sources. For completeness, it should be appreciated that the various functions described as being performed by discrete components may be performed by an integrated device - and further, functions described as being performed by a single component (for example controller 1238) may be performed by multiple devices.

[0069] The cover unit 1200 is connected to distribution box 1040 by single cable 1030 having power and communication lines connecting to power bus 1042 and communication bus 1044 (for example, the "1- Wire device communications bus system). Controllable switches 1046a-1046d (for example, a transistor, MOSFET, or a relay) are controlled to deliver power to the heating element 1120 of the respective base units llOOa-d via the connector cables 1060a-d over the power bus 1042. Data from the base central temperature sensors 1122 and heating element temperature sensors 1126 is transmitted to the cover unit 1200 over the communication bus 1044.

[0070] In examples, external sensors - for example, environmental temperature sensor 2002, environmental humidity sensor 2004, and/or environmental pressure sensor 2006 - may communicate data to the cover unit 1200 regarding local environmental conditions. It is further envisaged that the cover unit 1200 may communicate with a local weather station to obtain data regarding local weather conditions.

[0071] It is further envisaged that various other sensing devices may be provided within a beehive 1000, for example one or more of: a weighing device in the base unit 1100, orientation sensor(s) such as an accelerometer or IMU, microphone(s), or optical sensors (e.g. detecting light levels). In examples, one or more components of the beehive 100 (for example, the cover unit 1200), may include a geolocation device (for example, a GPS locating device).

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2B, the beehives 1000 and hive unit 1400 may operate within a distributed system 2200. In examples, the hive unit 1400a is configured to communicate with a local remote device such as a user device (for example, smart phone 2202), and/or a dedicated communication station 2204, directly over a local wireless connection - for example using WiFi or Bluetooth™ protocol. In examples, one hive unit (for example hive unit 1400a) may be designated as a primary or master unit, with other hive units 1400b-d designated as secondary or slave units. In such a configuration, data may be transmitted between the secondary units 1400b-d and the master unit 1400a, with the master unit 1400a responsible for communication with external resources.

[0073] In examples, communication between the hive unit 1400a and a remote device may be initiated, for example, through the user selection of an operable device such as a button or switch. In an alternative example, communication may be initiated through covering of the solar panel 1204 (e.g. through removal of the cover unit 1200 and turning it upside down), with a detected loss of power being triggered initiating a search for a local connection.

[0074] In exemplary embodiments, the smart phone 2202 or communication station 2204 may communicate with a data processing and storage service 2110 via a network 2230 (for example a cellular network, or another network potentially comprising various configurations and protocols including the Internet, intranets, virtual private networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies - whether wired or wireless, or a combination thereof). For example, the smart phone 2202 may operate an application capable of interfacing with the data processing and storage service 2210. It should be appreciated that in examples the hive unit 1400a may be capable of communicating directly with remote resources rather than via an intermediary device.

[0075] Among other functions, the data processing and storage service 2110 may record data obtained from the hive units 1400, perform analysis on the received data, update operation of the hives units 1400, and report to one or more user devices. In this exemplary embodiment, the data management service 2110 is illustrated as being implemented in a server - for example one or more dedicated server devices, or a cloud based server architecture. By way of example, cloud servers implementing the data processing and storage service 2110 may have processing facilities represented by processors 2112, memory 2114, and other components typically present in such computing environments. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the memory 2114 stores information accessible by processors 2112, the information including instructions 2116 that may be executed by the processors 2112 and data 2118 that may be retrieved, manipulated or stored by the processors 2112. The memory 2114 may be of any suitable means known in the art, capable of storing information in a manner accessible by the processors, including a computer- readable medium, or other medium that stores data that may be read with the aid of an electronic device. The processors 2112 may be any suitable device known to a person skilled in the art. Although the processors 2112 and memory 2114 are illustrated as being within a single unit, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the functionality of each as herein described may be performed by multiple processors and memories, that may or may not be remote from each other. [0076] The instructions 2116 may include any set of instructions suitable for execution by the processors 2112. For example, the instructions 2116 may be stored as computer code on the computer-readable medium. The instructions may be stored in any suitable computer language or format. Data 2118 may be retrieved, stored or modified by processors 2112 in accordance with the instructions 2116. The data 2118 may also be formatted in any suitable computer readable format. Again, while the data is illustrated as being contained at a single location, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting - the data may be stored in multiple memories or locations.

[0077] It should be appreciated that in exemplary embodiments the functionality of the data processing and storage service 2210 may be realized in a local application, or a combination of local and remote applications.

[0078] In examples, data and analytics may also be accessed via a remote terminal (e.g. a user workstation 2206) - whether via the data processing and storage service 2210, or via direct communication with the smart phone 2202.

[0079] In examples, the hive unit(s) 1400 and/or data processing and storage service 2210 may access external services 2240 - for example weather reporting services. [0080] For a firmware and/or software (also known as a computer program) implementation, the techniques of the present disclosure may be implemented as instructions (for example, procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not described with reference to any particular programming languages, and that a variety of programming languages could be used to implement the present invention. The firmware and/or software codes may be stored in a memory, or embodied in any other processor readable medium, and executed by a processor or processors. The memory may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The processors may function in conjunction with servers, whether cloud based or dedicated, and network connections as known in the art.

[0081] In various embodiments, one or more cloud computing environments may be used to create, and/or deploy, and/or operate at least part of the software system that can be any form of cloud computing environment, for example: a public cloud, a private cloud, a virtual private network (VPN), a subnet, a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), or any other cloud-based infrastructure known in the art. It should be appreciated that a service may utilize, and interface with, multiple cloud computing environments. [0082] Generally, at select times the heating element 1120 is controlled to achieve a target temperature within the brood box 1002 - more particularly within the brood region 1012 - for a predetermined period of time for the purposes of killing varroa mites (i.e. perform heat treatment). In examples this temperature may be in the order of 39°C and 43°C, more particularly in the order of 41°C once the brood box 1002 has reached semi equilibrium during the heat treatment. The positioning and configuration of the queen excluder 1300 assists with (i) improving the thermal efficiency of this process, and (ii) constraining location of the brood to be treated to the brood box 1002, thereby reducing demands on the power source while still allowing for bee transport to other areas of the beehive 1000.

[0083] It is envisaged that the heat treatment may be applied automatically at intervals throughout the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, including during the honey flow, without intervention or replacement. In examples, initiating of treatment be determined by factors such as passage of time (e.g. factoring in the ~21 day brood cycle), and/or detection of events (e.g. using temperature and solar voltage/current to determine whether or not the cover unit 1200 device is actually installed on a beehive 1000 outdoors). In examples, such an algorithm may be implemented as an explicit workflow, or using machine learning (for example, a neural network trained to optimize for the desired heating control within the device's capability). [0084] In examples, initiation of a heat treatment may be based at least in part on detected environmental conditions. For example, factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, and air pressure may influence the power efficiency of the system when achieving the target treatment temperature. In examples, treatment may only be initiated on parameters of the environmental conditions satisfying predetermined requirements (e.g. above or below a threshold, or within a defined range).

[0085] In examples, the time to achieve the target temperature may be monitored, and a heat treatment discontinued if the target temperature is not achieved within a predetermined period of time.

[0086] In examples, where a heat treatment is not initiated, or is discontinued, the system may be configured to reattempt the heat treatment within a predetermined period of time (for example, a subsequent day).

[0087] It will be appreciated that control of the heating element 1120 to achieve the target temperature within the brood box 1120 may be achieved using a variety of control methodologies. In an example, temperature may be regulated using a PID technique, for example using parameters selected via a cycle of Ziegler-Nichols method to keep the temperature of a given sensor constant after the system has reached thermal equilibrium. In examples, the temperature of the heating element 1120 itself may be regulated - for example 80°C. By way of example, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary heating cycle in which the PID output is maintained in order to bring the heating element 1120 up to maximum limited temperature (e.g. 80°C), until the air comes up to the target treatment temperature. The heating element 1120 temperature then oscillates in harmony with the PID output (for example, through control of switching device 1046 via PWM) to maintain the target temperature.

[0088] It should be noted that the data of FIG. 3 includes temperature data collected from a sensor positioned proximate the queen excluder 1300, above the frames 1006 within the centre of the brood box 1002 ("Top Middle"). It is envisaged that this sensor may not be required in production systems, with the output from the base central air temperature sensor 1122 ("Bottom Middle") being strongly correlated with that of the Top Middle sensor.

[0089] FIG. 4A is a thermal image of an exemplary brood box 1002 following heat treatment, on removal of the honey super 1020 and queen excluder 1300. It may be seen that the greatest concentration of temperature is proximal the centre-rear of the interior brood box 1002 (i.e. above the heating element 1120, and below central barrier portion 1316 of the queen excluder 1300). Elevated temperatures on the front surface indicate areas of thermal leakage due to circulating air currents contacting the front of the brood box 1002. It is noted that the elevated areas on the side of the box 1002 are due to the presence of recesses acting as handles. Referring to FIG. 4B, a thermal image of the side of a frame 1006 shows concentration of elevated temperatures within vertical position 100 to 600 (i.e. the location in which brood, and therefore varroa mites, are most likely to be present). [0090] In examples, the heating element 1120 may be utilised to warm the beehive 1000 for purposes other than treatment of pests - for example during cold season or weather, particularly when ambient temperatures are outliers to those expected.

[0091] In examples, charging of the battery is controlled based in part on proximity in time to a heat treatment. Not charging Lithium-Ion cells to full capacity will increase the cell's lifetime, with Lithium-Ion cells suffering from stress when exposed to heat, and keeping a cell at a high charge voltage. For example, Li-Ion cells may be charged to a peak of 4.20V/cell, and every reduction in peak charge voltage of 0.10V/cell is said to double the cycle life. For example, a Lithium-Ion cell charged to 4.20V/cell typically delivers 300-500 cycles. If charged to only 3.90V/cell, the cell should provide 2,400-4,000 cycles. As a competing requirement, it is also desirable to maximize voltage headroom to enable driving current into the system, therefore increasing the temperature of the heating element 1120 which therefore increases heat transfer into the surrounding air.

[0092] In one example, to prolong cell life, the system may limit the peak charge voltage to optimize charge for cell life during times in which heat treatment is not due to be performed, and increase the voltage of the battery up to full capacity only when heat treatment is required. An exemplary method of operation implementing this may include: (i) define two cell voltages Vi_ong (preferred voltage for longevity of cell, e.g. 3.92 V/cell for a peak 4.2V/cell device), and V_heat (preferred voltage for heating, e.g. 4.2V/cell), where V_Long < V_heat (ii) maintain V_Long during default charging mode; (iii) on determining a heat treatment is to be performed within a predetermined period, change the charging mode from Vi_ong to V_heat (iv) after treatment revert back to V_Long charging mode until the next treatment cycle.

[0093] The various aspects of the present technology described herein enable autonomous heat treatment of varroa mite within a beehive, more particularly powered through solar power generation. It is considered that this is achieved through one or more of thermal efficiencies of the physical apparatus, and power and control sharing between multiple beehives, enabling the user of solar power generation in a cost effective manner.

[0094] The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. The various steps or acts in a method or process may be performed in the order shown, or may be performed in another order. Additionally, one or more process or method steps may be omitted or one or more process or method steps may be added to the methods and processes. An additional step, block, or action may be added in the beginning, end, or intervening existing elements of the methods and processes.

[0095] The illustrated embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the figures. The foregoing description is intended only by way of example and simply illustrates certain selected exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It should be noted that the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, apparatuses, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes at least one executable instruction for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0096] The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

[0097] The invention(s) of the present disclosure may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

[0098] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in at least one embodiment. In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art may well recognize, however, that embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without at least one of the specific details thereof, or can be practiced with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0099] Throughout this specification, the word "comprise" or "include", or variations thereof such as "comprises", "includes", "comprising" or "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". [0100] Aspects of the present disclosure have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A beehive having a thermal pest treatment system, including: a base unit including a heating element; a brood box supported by the base unit; at least one honey super box supported by the brood box; and a cover unit provided to a top of the honey super box, the cover unit including: a photovoltaic power generation device; an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device; at least one controller configured to: control heating of the heating element through delivery of power from the electrical energy storage device to the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box and perform a heat treatment.

2. The beehive of claim 1, including a queen excluder provided between the brood box and the honey super, including: a barrier portion having a superior surface and an inferior surface, wherein the barrier portion includes at least one worker transfer portion having a plurality of worker transfer holes between the superior surface and the inferior surface, wherein each worker transfer hole is dimensioned to permit passage of a worker bee and exclude passage of a queen bee; wherein the barrier portion includes a continuous barrier portion proximate a centre of the queen excluder.

3. The beehive of claim 2, wherein the at least one worker transfer portion includes a front transfer portion between a front of the barrier portion and the continuous barrier portion.

4. The beehive of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the at least one worker transfer portion includes a first side portion between a first side of the barrier portion and the continuous barrier portion, and a second side portion between a second side of the barrier portion and the continuous barrier portion.

5. The beehive of claim 4, wherein the queen excluder includes a first baffle projecting from the inferior surface of the barrier portion between the first side portion and the continuous barrier portion, and a second baffle projecting from the inferior surface of the barrier portion between the second side portion and the continuous barrier portion.

6. The beehive of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the continuous barrier portion is inclined or curved in a superior direction between a front of the barrier portion and a rear of the barrier portion.

7. The beehive of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each of the worker transfer holes includes a chamfered edge between the inferior surface and the superior surface.

8. The beehive of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least a portion of the worker transfer holes are elongate slots.

9. The beehive of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating element only extends across a portion of the brood box.

10. The beehive of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cover unit includes a cover body and the photovoltaic power generation device is provided to a superior facing surface of the cover body, wherein the photovoltaic power generation device includes a first photovoltaic cell portion and a second photovoltaic cell portion having a gap therebetween

11. The beehive of claim 10, wherein the cover body includes a restraint locating feature on each side of the photovoltaic power generation device, wherein the restraint locating features align with the gap.

12. The beehive of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the cover body includes at least one drainage channel on a side of the photovoltaic power generation device.

13. The beehive of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one controller is configured to automatically initiate a heat treatment at a predetermined time.

14. The beehive of claim 13, wherein the at least one controller is configured such that initiation of a heat treatment is based at least in part on one or more detected environmental conditions.

15. The beehive of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one controller is configured to: control charging of the electrical energy storage device to a first voltage; determine that a heat treatment is to be performed through heating of the heating element, and control charging of the electrical energy storage device to a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage; and determine that the heat treatment is complete, and control charging of the electrical energy storage device to the first voltage.

16. The beehive of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the brood box and the at least one honey super box have a Langstroth hive box configuration.

17. The beehive of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the at least one controller is configured to perform the heat treatment for the treatment of Varroa destructor mites.

18. A beehive unit having a thermal pest treatment system, including: a plurality of beehives, each including: a base unit including a heating element; a brood box supported by the base unit; at least one honey super box supported by the brood box; and a cover unit provided to a top of one of the plurality of beehives, the cover unit including: a photovoltaic power generation device; an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device; and at least one controller configured to: control heating of each of the heating elements of the plurality of beehives through delivery of power from the electrical energy storage device to the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box and perform a heat treatment.

19. The beehive unit of claim 17, including a support platform to which each of the plurality of beehives is mounted, wherein the support platform is configured to be placed on the ground in use.

20. The beehive unit of claim 19, wherein the base unit of each beehive is integrated into the support platform.

21. The beehive unit of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein each of the plurality of beehives to which the cover unit is not provided includes a top cover, wherein a height of each of the plurality of beehives is substantially the same.

22. A thermal pest treatment system for installation in a beehive, including: a base unit including a heating element, wherein the base unit is configured to support a brood box of the beehive; a cover unit configured to be provided to a top of a honey super box supported by the brood box, the cover unit including: a photovoltaic power generation device; an electrical energy storage device configured to store energy generated by the photovoltaic power generation device; at least one controller configured to: control heating of the heating element through delivery of power from the electrical energy storage device to the heating element to achieve a target treatment temperature within the brood box and perform a heat treatment.