WO2022240300A1

WO2022240300A1 - An apparatus and method for detecting bee diseases and pests

Info

Publication number: WO2022240300A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2022/050055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Oliver
Original assignee: OLIVER, Colleen
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2022-05-10
Publication date: 2022-11-17

Abstract

An apparatus for catching bees and detecting and treating diseases and pests comprising a beehive having at least one aperture and a bee holding device having a bee holding chamber and a bee entry means, the device adapted such that it can move between an open and closed configuration and having apertures which are adapted such 5 that bees are unable to pass through them the apparatus is adapted such that when in use in a user is able to place the bee entry means over, around or into the aperture in the beehive and bees are able to enter into the bee holding chamber via the bee entry means and once the desired amount of bees have entered the bee holding chamber the device can be moved to the closed configuration such that the bees are captured within 0 the bee holding device.

Description

1

TITLE

An apparatus and method for detecting bee diseases and pests.

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for detecting bee diseases and pests. More particularly, but not exclusively the invention relates to apparatus and methods for catching bees and for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests.

BACKGROUND Bees in beehives can be infected with pests such as parasites (e.g. the varroa mite), bacteria, viruses and/or diseases which can result in the loss of a large number of bees. In order to the address this problem there a number of known methods to detect whether the bees and beehive are infected. However, these methods are time consuming, often result in the death of the bees being checked for diseases and can require the opening or deconstructing of the beehive which causes stress to the bee population and disturbs the queen.

It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go at least some way towards addressing one or some of the above problems. While this is an object of a preferred embodiment, it should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of the invention as claimed. The object of the invention perse is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein; this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof, e.g. “comprises”, if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility 2 that the combination may have further unspecified features. For example, a statement that an arrangement “comprises” certain parts does not mean that it cannot also, optionally, have additional parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for use in catching bees and for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests comprising:

• a beehive having at least one aperture; and

• a bee holding device having a bee holding chamber and a bee entry means, the device adapted such that it can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration and also having plurality of apertures which are adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures (e.g. are too small for bees to fit through); the apparatus is adapted such that when in use in a user is able to place the bee entry means over, around or into the at least one aperture in the beehive and when the device is in the open configuration bees in the beehive are able to enter into the bee holding chamber via the bee entry means and once the desired amount of bees have entered the bee holding chamber the device can be moved to the closed configuration such that the bees are captured within the bee holding device

Preferably the bee entry means is an aperture in the bee holding chamber.

Preferably the bee entry means is a hollow elongated member with one end exiting into the bee holding chamber and the other end extending and exiting outside the chamber such that in use the bee entry means can be inserted into the at least one aperture in the beehive.

Preferably the apparatus has a removable means to open and/or close the bee entry means.

Preferably the device has lid which is able to releasably engage with the bee holding chamber. 3

Preferably the lid has a plurality of apertures adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures.

Preferably lid has at least one slot which is adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the slot.

Preferably the apparatus has a bee luring means (e.g. a rod or brush or pronged member) which when in use lures bees from the beehive into the bee holding chamber of the device.

More preferably least a part of the bee luring means is adapted to pass through the at least one aperture in the device such that when the device has been placed over, round or into the aperture in the beehive the luring means can be inserted into the device and into the aperture in the beehive which lures bees into the device.

Preferably the apparatus has a means to cover or close the at least one aperture in the beehive.

Preferably the bee holding device has an opening means to enable a user to add substances and/or liquids which dislodge pests from bees into the holding chamber. Preferably the bee holding device is substantially transparent.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of capturing bees using the apparatus as previously described comprising the steps of: · placing the bee entry means of the device when it is in an open configuration over, around or into the aperture in the beehive containing bees which results in bees entering into the bee holding chamber via the bee entry means; and • moving the device from the open configuration to a closed configuration once the desired amount of bees have entered the device which results in bees being captured within the bee holding device. 4

Preferably wherein a bee luring means is used to lure bees into the device via the bee entry means before it is moved to a closed configuration.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting and treating bee pests using the previously described apparatus comprising the steps of:

• placing the bee entry means of the device when it is in an open configuration over, around or into the aperture in a beehive containing bees which results in bees entering into the bee holding chamber via the bee entry means;

• moving the device from the open configuration to a closed configuration once the desired amount of bees have entered the device which results in bees being captured within the bee holding device;

• adding sugar, a liquid or substance which dislodges pests from a bee to the bee holding chamber device containing the bees via the plurality of apertures;

• shaking or agitating the device such that the sugar, liquid or substance dislodges any pests which are on the bees which results in the bees being treat pests falling out of the device via the apertures which enables a user to detect whether there are bee pests present.

Preferably a bee luring means used to lure bees into the device via the bee entry means before it is moved to a closed configuration.

Preferably the device is weighed prior to capturing the bees and again after the bees have been captured to determine the number of bees.

Preferably the method comprises the further step further step of counting and identifying the pests which have been shaken from the device to determine what type of beehive treatment (if any) is needed.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for use in catching bees and for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests comprising:

• a bee entry means adapted to receive at least one frame from a beehive; and

• a bee holding device having a bee holding chamber and being adapted to receive bees from the bee entry means and also being configured such that it can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration and the device further 5 having plurality of apertures adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures; the apparatus is adapted such that when in use a user is able to insert a frame from a beehive containing bees into the bee entry means and when sufficient force is applied to the frame the bees fall from the bee entry means into the bee holding chamber when the device is in an open configuration and once the desired amount of bees have entered the bee holding chamber the device can be moved to a closed configuration such that the bees are captured within the bee holding device. Preferably the device has lid which is able to releasably engage with the bee holding chamber.

More preferably the lid has a plurality of apertures adapted such that they are too small for bees to pass through them.

Preferably the bee entry means is adapted to releasably engage with the bee holding device.

Preferably the bee entry means has at least one frame stopping means such that when in use when a frame is inserted into the bee entry means and contacts the frame stopping means with sufficient force it dislodges bees from the frame.

In a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting and treating bee pests using the apparatus according described above comprising the steps of: · inserting or dropping a frame of a beehive containing bees into the bee entry means of the apparatus with sufficient force such that it results in bees entering into the bee holding chamber of the bee holding device which is in an open configuration;

• adding sugar, a liquid or substance which dislodges pests from a bee to the bee holding chamber containing bees via the bee entry means;

• moving the bee holding device from the open configuration to a closed configuration once the desired amount of bees have entered the device which results in bees being captured within the bee holding device; 6

• shaking or agitating the device such that the sugar, liquid or substance dislodges any pests which are on the bees which results in the pests falling out of the device via the apertures which enables a user to detect whether there are bee pests present.

In a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting bee diseases and pests by capturing bees using the described apparatus and then administering known tests on the bees to diagnose whether there are any diseases or infestations in the bees.

In a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided is provided an apparatus for catching bees and for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests comprising:

• a beehive with an least one aperture; and

• at bee holding device having a bee entry opening and a means to open and/or close the bee entry opening; the apparatus is adapted such that when in use a user places the bee entry opening over the aperture in the beehive such that bees are able to enter into the device and once the desired amount of bees have entered the device the user can use the bee entry closure means to close the entry such that the bees are captured within the bee holding device.

Preferably the at least one aperture is in the brood box of a hive.

Preferably the at least one aperture is in the lower half of a brood box of a hive.

Preferably the beehive has a bee holding device fastening member which fastens the bee holding device against the beehive when in use and when engaged with the device. 7

Preferably the bee holding device is transparent.

Preferably the bee holding device has:

• a removable lid having a bee entry opening;

• a bee entry opening and closing member which is adapted to engage with the lid;

• a bee holding chamber which is adapted to releasably engage with the lid;

Preferably the lid, opening and closing member and chamber have apertures in them.

Preferably the apparatus has an agitating rod which is adapted to releasbly engage with the apertures in the device such that when the device has been placed over the aperture in the beehive the rod can be inserted into the device and/or hive via the bee entry opening which lures the bees into the device.

Preferably the apparatus has an agitating brush which is adapted to releasbly engage with the apertures in the device such that when the device has been placed over the aperture in the beehive the brush can be inserted into the device and/or hive via the bee entry opening which lures the bees into the device.

Preferably the apparatus has an agitating prong which is adapted to releasbly engage with the apertures in the device such that when the device has been placed over the aperture in the beehive the prong can be inserted into the device and/or hive via the bee entry opening which lures the bees into the device.

Preferably the bee holding device is made substantially from plastic.

Preferably the apparatus has a removable cover which covers the aperture in the beehive. 8

Preferably the bee holding chamber has an opening in it which allows a user to add sugar or any other suitable substance which dislodges pests from a bee.

Preferably wherein there is a base tray which releasably engages with the bottom of the bee holding chamber.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the entirety of this disclosure, which includes the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two devices for use in catching bees and detecting and treating bee diseases and pests when in use with a beehive with two apertures;

FIG. 2 is an underneath view of a lid for the device;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a bee holding chamber and a bee entry means which form part of the device for catching and detecting and treating bee diseases and pests;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the bottom of the bee holding chamber, bee entry means and removable cap for the bee entry means;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the device when engaged with a brood box of a beehive and a bee agitating rod and brush;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the inside of the brood box, device, bee agitating rod and brush shown in figure 5;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a three pronged bee agitating device;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the inside of a brood box with the bee entry means of the device engaged with an aperture in the box and also showing the three pronged agitating device shown in figure 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device for catching and detecting and treating bee diseases when in use with a beehive and wherein a user is agitating/luring the bees with an agitating rod;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the device which contains caught bees and also showing icing sugar and the spoon used to sprinkle the icing sugar over the lid of the device; 9

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a user shaking the device which contains bees and icing sugar;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a user having turned the device upside down such that the lid is facing down and shaking the device containing the bees and icing sugar; FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a using shaking the device containing the bees and icing sugar wherein mites and sugar have fallen onto paper below;

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a user with an alternative embodiment of a device for catching bees and detecting bee diseases and pests;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a bee entry and bee holding chamber attachment means which forms part of an alternative embodiment of a device for catching and detecting and treating bee diseases and pests;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the bee entry and bee holding chamber attachment means shown in figure 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a user adding a bee frame to the bee entry means of the alterative embodiment of the device;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a user placing a lid over the bee chamber of the alternative embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a user returning treated pest free bees from the device to the top of a beehive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for catching bees and apparatus and methods for detecting and treating diseases and pests in bees. References to pests throughout the specification relates to any mites, parasites, bugs, bacteria and viruses.

A number of different embodiments have been described below and in reference to Figures 1 -19, but it should be understood the design and aesthetic features of the bee catching, detecting and treatment apparatus and devices may be changed from those exemplified without departing from the functional aspects of the invention.

In a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 shows two devices 1 for catching bees for use in detecting and treating diseases and/or pests in bees and beehives 2. As can be seen the devices 1 are engaged with a beehive 2 and the beehive 2 shown has an aperture on each side (not visible in this figure) which enables the devices 1 to releasably 10 engage with the apertures. The apertures are large enough for bees to pass through and they are preferably in the broad box of a beehive and are most preferably in the lower half of the brood box however they are not limited these locations. The apertures may come in different sizes, shapes and the number may vary however in a particularly preferred embodiment the apertures are generally circular. The apertures may be made by drilling, however they can be produced by other means (i.e. during production of the beehive). Shown on top of the beehive 2 are two different embodiments of beehive aperture closing means 3, 4 (e.g. bungs or caps etc) and also shown are two bee catching device caps 5 which form part of the bee catching device 1 in some embodiments.

Figures 2-5 show parts of the device 1 in more detail. Illustrated in figure 2 is a removable lid 6. As can be seen it has a plurality of apertures 7 these are small enough such that a bee cannot pass through them however large enough such that bee pests such as mites are able to fall or pass through them. In a preferred embodiment like the one shown the apertures 7 are large enough for an agitating/luring means such as a piece of wire to pass through. The lid 6 shown also has a slot 8 for an agitating member to pass through and the slot 8 is also too small for a bee to pass through. It will be appreciated that the number and location of apertures 7 and slot 8 may vary and are not limited to the arrangement shown. The lid 6 also has a pivoting door/flap 9 which can be used to add sugar or other substances which can dislodge pests from bees however it will be appreciated that other types of opening means may be used. The lid 6 also number of attachment members 10 to enable attachment to a bee holding chamber 11 which is shown in figure 3. Those skilled in the art will be appreciate that the lid 6 can be attached by other means e.g. pivotally connected at one end and in some embodiments the lid 6 may be permanently attached to the chamber 11 . The lid 6 is most preferably transparent and made from plastic, however it will be appreciated that it can be made from different suitable materials and can come in different shapes and sizes.

As can be seen in figure 3 the bee holding chamber 11 has a base 12 with four side walls 13 extending up from the base 12 with each side wall 13 having attachment receiving members 14 to enable it to releasably engage with attachment members 10 on the lid 6 such that the lid 6 can releasably engage with the chamber 11 . In some embodiments the attachment members 10 may be on the bee holding chamber 11 11 instead of the lid 6 or may be on both the chamber 11 and the lid 6. The device 1 also has a bee entry means 15 which in this embodiment is an elongated hollow circular member which passes through the base 12 with one end 15a exiting into the chamber 11 and the other end 15b extending away from the base 12 and exiting outside the chamber 11 . The bee entry means 15 is large enough for bees to pass through. In some embodiments the bee entry means can form part of the chamber 11 for example an aperture or apertures the base 2 or in a sidewall(s) 13 of the chamber 11 which is large enough for bees to pass through and in some embodiments the entry means may extend outside the chamber but not inside the chamber e.g. with one end exiting at the base 12.

Figure 4 shows the bottom of the base 12 and shows the bee entry means 15 extending away from the base 12 with the end 15b having been closed by a bee entry means closing member (e.g. a removable cap) 5. The closing member 5 is adapted to releasably engage with the end 15b of the bee entry means 15. It will be appreciated that other types of closing means may be used. In some embodiments there may be apertures (which are too large for bees to pass through but large enough for pests such as mites to fall through) in the base 12 and/or side walls 13 along with the apertures 7 in the lid 6 and in some embodiments the lid 6 does not apertures 7 just the side walls 13 and/or base 12 of the chamber 11 has the apertures 7. The chamber 11 may also have an opening means in a sidewall 13 to receive a substance to dislodge pests from bees. The chamber 11 and bee entry means 15 is most preferably transparent and made from plastic however it will be appreciated that it can be made from different suitable materials and may come in different shapes and sizes.

Before use if the weight of the device 1 is not know the device 1 is weighed on a scale by a user. As the weight of bees is known (e.g. a bee weighs approximately 10th of a gram so there are approximately 10 bees to a gram) once the weight of the device 1 is known then once the device 1 contains captured bees it can easily be calculated how many bees are in the device 1 for example if the tar weight of the device is 75 grams and 400 bees are collected the total weight will be 115 grams.

Figure 5 shows the device 1 (without the cap 5) when in use with an open brood box 16 of a beehive 2. As can be seen an bee agitating/luring brush 17 and a bee agitating/luring rod 18 have been inserted by a user through the apertures 7 in the lid 6 and the opposite 12 ends of these can be seen in figure 6 which shows them protruding through the bee entry means 15 which has been inserted into a circular aperture 19 in brood box 16. This figure also shows the been entry means 15 engaging with the aperture 16 in the beehive 2 and in some embodiments the bee entry mean 15 may only enter partly into the aperture 16 or all the way through to the end of the aperture 16 and in some embodiments may extend into the brood box 16 of the beehive 2.

Figure 7 shows a bee agitating/luring member 20 having a handle 20a and three metal prongs 20b extending from it and figure 8 illustrates the bee agitating member 20 when in use and as can be seen the prongs 20b have been inserted by a user through the slot 8 in the lid 6 and they pass through the bee entry 15 means and the circular aperture 19 in the brood box 16 of beehive 2. In some embodiments the prongs 19b can pass through the apertures 7 instead.

Figure 9 shows the device 1 when in use with a beehive 2 wherein the bee entry means 15 is engaged with an aperture in a beehive 2 and a user 21 is using an agitating/luring rod 18 to agitate and lure bees 22 out of the beehive 2 into the bee holding chamber 11 via the aperture in the beehive and the bee entry means 15. The agitating/luring rod 18 makes the bees 22 think the beehive 2 is under attack and this lures them out. Once the desired number of bees 22 are in the device 1 it is then removed from the beehive 2 and then moved into a closed configuration by placing the cap 5 over the end 15b of the bee entry means 15. The user may also optionally use a beehive aperture closing means 3, 4 to close the aperture in the beehive 2 at this stage if desired. The next step in the method involves weighing the device 1 on such that a user 21 knows how many bees 22 have been collected.

The next step involves a sugar shake test with the device 1 . This is a test to detect for pests/external parasites such as Varroa, Tropilaelaps mites and Braula fly. It also treats the bees in the device 1 . It is quick and simple and does not kill the bees being sampled. Instead of using sugar a substance or liquid (e.g. alcohol) may be used to dislodge the pests. The process of shaking bees in fine sugar (or liquids or substances) dislodges the parasites' so they can be collected, examined and killed. As shown in figure 10 is a spoon 23 which has been used to sprinkle icing sugar 24 over the top of the lid 6 and this enters the chamber 11 via the apertures 7 and slot 8 in the lid 6 and can also be 13 added via opening member 9. Once a sufficient amount of icing sugar 24 (or other liquid or substance) has been sprinkled over the top of the device 1 a user 21 shakes device 1 like shown in figure 11 such that the sugar 24 (or liquid or substance) covers the bees 22 in the chamber 11 of the device 1 . The user 21 then turns the device upside down so the lid 6 is facing towards the ground and keeps shaking like in figures 12 and 13 such that sugar 24 (or liquid or substance) dislodges any pests (e.g. mites) 25 from the bees 22 and these pests 25 and some sugar 24 then falls through from apertures 7 in the lid 6 or slot 8 onto a surface 26 (preferably a white surface just as paper) which can then be inspected for mites or other pests. After the test and treatment the user 21 can release the pest free bees 22 by removing the lid 6. The pest free bees 22 clean themselves of the sugar 24 they are coated in which provides food for them. In some embodiments instead of using sugar 24 with the device 1 it will be appreciated that alcohol or other suitable chemicals (liquid or powder) may be used to dislodge the pest for from the bees 22. In some embodiments the device 1 may already contain sugar 24 before use. Using icing sugar 24 to remove varroa off bees is proven to have around 98% effectiveness. The devices 1 are also easy to label such that a user knows which beehive 2 the device 1 corresponds too. Multiple devices 1 full of bees 22 may be kept until the required amount of time has passed for the pests/mites to drop off the bees 22. The pest free bees 22 are then returned to their own beehive 2. It will be appreciated that instead of conducting a sugar shake test other known tests can be conducted on the bees 22 once they have been removed from the beehive 2 with the device 1 .

In another embodiment of the invention the device may have a lid with a number apertures (which are too small for a bee to pass through but large enough for pests such as mites to fall through) and also having a bee entry/receiving opening. The lid in this embodiment also has a slot at each end for receiving an opening and closing member such as a panel/door. When the device is assembled the opening and closing member is located underneath the lid and engages with the lid via the slots in each end of the lid. The member also has a number of apertures and a bee entry/receiving opening. The embodiment also has bee holding chamber which has a base with side walls extending up from it and is open at the top which releasably engages with the lid. The chamber also a number of apertures which are too small for a bee to pass through at the bottom of base but large enough for pests such as mites to fall through. The device also has a bottom tray holder which releasably engages with the chamber. The beehive in this 14 embodiment may also have a fastening means such as a stretchy material such as elastic which when in use fastens the bee catching device to the beehive so that a user can use both hands. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of bee catching device fastening means may be used. The device is most preferably transparent and made from plastic however it will be appreciated that it can be made from different suitable materials. The previously described agitating rod 18, brush 17 or member 20 may be used with this embodiment as well via any of the apertures in the device. In use the device is weighed first like the previously described embodiment and then it is moved into an open configuration by opening the bee entry/receiving via the opening and closing member to match the entries/openings and in the lid and member. Once the device is in the open configuration the entries/openings in the device are lined up against an aperture/opening in a beehive preferably an aperture in the brood box of a beehive and then a user may use the previously described agitating/luring rods 18, brushes 17 or members 20 to lure the bees from the beehive into the device. Once the desired number of bees are in the device the device is moved to a closed configuration (i.e. the closing member closes the entry/opening in the lid) and it is removed from the beehive and the base tray is put back on. The next step in the method involves weighing the device so that a user knows how many bees have been collected and then the previously described sugar shake test and treatment is conducted on the device with the result that any pests (e.g. mites or flys) and sugar fall out the apertures of the device into a surface below it where a user can inspect for bee pests. Once this step is complete the bees from the device which are now pest free may be returned to the hive.

The traditional method to diagnose the presence of varroa mite is to break the hive down and remove a frame from the brood, shaking off the bees into a container and then scooping out 300 young bees that cannot fly and giving them a sugar shake or an alcohol wash which kills the bees. The previously described invention has a number of advantages over known methods of removing bees from a beehive such as the one described above in that it simplifies the removal of bees, does not disturb the queen and unlike the current invasive method of ascertaining whether you have an infestation of a parasite, which is dismantling the hive, shaking frames etc, the bees can be removed from the hive via the device 1 without opening it to check on their health. The overall purpose of the device 1 is to diagnosis pests through non-invasive methods therefore lowering the infestation rates of pests such as the varroa mite and reducing the stress 15 bee populations are exposed to when invasive methods are used. This is especially helpful during the wintering season when temperature and weather conditions make opening the hive undesirable for bee health and during honey production when opening the hive could lead to hive death.

Figure 14 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 101 for catching bees and/or detecting and treating diseases and/or pests in bees and beehives when in use. The device 101 comprises a bee entry means 102 which receives a frame 103 from a beehive 104, a bee chamber attachment means 105, a bee holding chamber 106 and a lid 107 for the bee catching device 101.

Figures 15 and 16 show the bee entry means 102 and bee chamber attachment means 105 in more detail. The bee entry means 102 is adapted to receive a frame 103 from a beehive 104. As can be seen the means 102 has four side walls 108 and at the bottom has two frame stopping members/means 109. It will be appreciated that the frame stopping members/means 109 are not limited to the shape and position and number as shown. The bee entry means 102 is preferably made from wood but it will be appreciated that it can be made from any other suitable materials and may also come in different shapes and in some embodiments can receive the entire frame 103 and in some embodiments may receive part of the frame 103. The bee entry means 102 has a circular bee holding chamber attachment means 105 connected to it at the bottom which is able to releasbly engage with the bee holding chamber 106. As can be seen both the bee entry means 102 and attachment means 105 have a central aperture for bees to pass/fall through them and into the chamber 106 when it is connected in use. In some embodiments the attachment means 105 can form part of the entry means 102 and in some embodiments the chamber 106 may have attachment means to attach to the bee entry means 105. Figure 17 shows a user 110 inserting a beehive frame 102 into the bee entry means 103. In some embodiments the bee entry means 102 may be permanently attached to the bee holding chamber 106 and instead of lid 107 may have a different type of closing means to close the chamber 106 or bee entry means 105.

Referring back to figure 14 a user has inserted a frame 103 from a beehive 104 containing bees into the device 101 and when the frame 103 is pushed or dropped down (this may be done repeatedly or just once) with sufficient force the frame 103 contacts 16 the stopping means 109 in the bee entry means 102 and this jolts/dislodges bees from the frame 102 which then enter/fall into the bee holding chamber 106 which in this embodiment is a bucket with a handle. It will be appreciated that the bee holding chamber 106 may come in a number of different shapes and sizes but is preferably made from plastic and is transparent. After the bees have been dislodged from the frame 103 into the bee holding chamber 106 a user then removes the frame 103 and adds icing sugar to the 106 chamber via the top of the bee entry means 102 which sedates the bees to a degree which makes it easier to remove the bee entry means 102 and add the lid 107 (which is adapted to releasbly engages with the chamber) to the bee holding chamber 106 like shown in figure 18. Before use the weight of the chamber 106 and lid 107 are weighed so a user is able to use this to help determine how may bees have been caught at a later step.

In some embodiments the chamber 106 may have another opening in it so that the sugar (and other substances) may be added by other ways instead of being sprinkled from above the bee entry means 102 and in some embodiments the chamber 106 may already contain sugar. As can be seen in this figure the lid 107 also has a number of apertures 111 which are not large enough for bees 112 to pass through like the previously described embodiments but large enough for pests to fall through. In another embodiment the bee holding chamber 106 may have apertures in it for pests to fall through. Once the lid 107 has been added to the chamber 106 containing the caught bees the next step in the method involves weighing the chamber 106 and attached lid 107 so a user knows how many bees have been collected. A user 110 then shakes and rolls the chamber with attached lid 106, 107 for three to four minutes and then shakes the chamber 106 upside down to let this icing sugar and any pests such as mites drop through the apertures 111 in the lid 107 onto a surface (e.g. white paper) to check for the pests. This step also treats the bees 112 in the chamber by removing the pests from them. After this step any pests such as mites on the surface and the sugar can then be added to water or alcohol or other substances to kill the mites and this can also assist with counting them. In use the device 101 is able to receive a large percentage (e.g. around 90 percent or more) of bees 112 from an entire beehive 104 by adding one frame 103 at a time until the bees 112 are in the bee holding chamber 106 before conducting the sugar shake test to detect pests. Once taking (or during) all of the bees 112 off each frame 103 a user can take the opportunity to check for AFB or any other ailments that 17 may be occurring within the hive 104. This device 101 is preferably only used in summer or warm weather (or inside) as opening a hive 104 in cold conditions makes it undesirable for bee health and honey production and in some instances could lead to hive death. The previously described method of using icing sugar to remove varroa off the bees is proven to have around 98% effectiveness. As such 98% of the varroa can be taken out of the entire hive 104 within 15 minutes with the device 101 and this includes putting the varroa free bees 112 back into the hive 104. In other embodiments instead of sugar other substances or liquids which dislodge pests from bees may be used with the device 101 . This device 101 is a very efficient and precise way to drastically reduce the number of varroa in a hive 104 and also allows a user to get a true reading of how many varroa are in a hive which is infected/heavily infected with varroa. It will be appreciated that the device 101 is able to catch bees and other known tests to diagnose whether there are any diseases or infestations in the bees may be used.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functioning of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail so long as the functioning of the invention is not adversely affected. For example the particular elements of the apparatus, beehive, bee catching devices may vary dependent on the particular application for which it is used without variation in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus and methods for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

18

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for use in catching bees and for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests comprising:

• a beehive having at least one aperture; and

• a bee holding device having a bee holding chamber and a bee entry means, the device adapted such that it can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration and also having plurality of apertures which are adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures; the apparatus is adapted such that when in use in a user is able to place the bee entry means over, around or into the at least one aperture in the beehive and when the device is in the open configuration bees in the beehive are able to enter into the bee holding chamber via the bee entry means and once the desired amount of bees have entered the bee holding chamber the device can be moved to the closed configuration such that the bees are captured within the bee holding device.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bee entry means is an aperture in the bee holding chamber.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bee entry means is a hollow elongated member with one end exiting into the bee holding chamber and the other end extending and exiting outside the chamber such that in use the bee entry means can be inserted into the at least one aperture in the beehive.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 , 2 or 3, having a removable means to open and/or close the bee entry means.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has lid which is able to releasably engage with the bee holding chamber.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lid has a plurality of apertures adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures. 19 An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lid has at least one slot which is adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the slot. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, having a bee luring means which when in use lures bees from the beehive into the bee holding chamber of the device. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the bee luring means is adapted to pass through the at least one aperture in the device such that when the device has been placed over, round or into the aperture in the beehive the luring means can be inserted into the device and into the aperture in the beehive which lures bees into the device. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, having a means to cover or close the at least one aperture in the beehive. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bee holding device has an opening means to enable a user to add substances and/or liquids which dislodge pests from bees into the bee holding chamber. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bee holding device is substantially transparent. A method of capturing bees using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 12 comprising the steps of:

• placing the bee entry means of the device when it is in an open configuration over, around or into the aperture in a beehive containing bees which results in bees entering into the bee holding chamber via the bee entry means; and

• moving the device from the open configuration to a closed configuration once the desired amount of bees have entered the device which results in bees being captured within the bee holding device. A method according to claim 13, wherein a bee luring means is used to lure bees into the device via the bee entry means before it is moved to a closed configuration. 20

15. A method of detecting and treating bee pests using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -12 comprising the steps of:

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein a bee luring means used to lure bees into the device via the bee entry means before it is moved to a closed configuration.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the device is weighed prior to capturing the bees and again after the bees have been captured to determine the number of captured bees.

18. A method according to any one of claims 15, 16 or 17 comprising the further step of counting and identifying the pests which have been shaken from the device to determine what type of beehive treatment is needed.

19. An apparatus for use in catching bees and for detecting and treating bee diseases and pests comprising:

• a bee entry means adapted to receive at least one frame from a beehive; and

• a bee holding device having a bee holding chamber and being adapted to receive bees from the bee entry means and also being configured such that it can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration and the device further 21 having plurality of apertures adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures; the apparatus is adapted such that when in use a user is able to insert a frame from a beehive containing bees into the bee entry means and when sufficient force is applied to the frame the bees fall from the bee entry means into the bee holding chamber when the device is in an open configuration and once the desired amount of bees have entered the bee holding chamber the device can be moved to a closed configuration such that the bees are captured within the bee holding device.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the device has lid which is able to releasably engage with the bee holding chamber.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the lid has a plurality of apertures adapted such that bees are unable to pass through the apertures.

22. An apparatus according to claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein the bee entry means is adapted to releasably engage with the bee holding device.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 19-22, wherein the bee entry means has at least one frame stopping means such that when in use when a frame is inserted into the bee entry means and contacts the frame stopping means with sufficient force it dislodges bees from the frame.

24. A method of detecting and treating bee pests using the apparatus according to any one of claims 19-23 comprising the steps of:

• inserting or dropping a frame of a beehive containing bees into the bee entry means of the apparatus with sufficient force such that it results in bees entering into the bee holding chamber of the bee holding device which is in an open configuration;

• moving the bee holding device from the open configuration to a closed configuration once the desired amount of bees have entered the device which results in bees being captured within the bee holding device; 22

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the device is weighed prior to capturing the bees and again after the bees have been captured to determine the number of captured bees. 26. A method of detecting bee pests using the apparatus according to anyone of claims

24 or 25 comprising the further step of counting and identifying the pests which have been shaken from the device to determine what type of beehive treatment is needed.

27. A method of detecting bee diseases and pests by capturing bees using the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 or any one of claims 19-23 and then administering known tests on the bees to diagnose whether there are any diseases or infestations present in the bees.