Key parameters of the BeeHero In-Hive Sensor
The BeeHero In-Hive Sensor monitors several key parameters: hive activity, temperature, humidity, and acoustics. We will explain why we use these measurements and how they can provide insight into the condition of the colony.
Sounds of the Hive: Intro to audio monitoring
Experienced beekeepers can tell the state of a colony by listening to the bees – if they are agitated, angry, hungry, or calm. Bees generate sound through their body movements, wing movements, and high-frequency thoracic muscle contractions. Tapping into these audio signals offers incredible insights to the health and status of a colony.
Temperature Regulation inside the Hive
Brood temperature is a critical factor in colony health and is precisely managed by the bees to achieve a stable temperature of 93-97ºF (33ºC - 36ºC). The ability of a bee colony to maintain stable brood temperature is the result of coordinated behavior and is therefore a good indicator of colony function and health.
Introducing The BeeHero Healthy Hive Index
Bees are the unsung hero of the agricultural industry, they pollinate the planet and power our food ecosystem. But bees have been dying in record numbers for years. So, we wanted to develop a data-driven tool that could measure the impact of bee-friendly orchards on the overall welfare of bees.
The weather impact on pollination - 2022
This research is the work of BeeHero's Head of Scientific Strategy, George Clouston, and Head of Bio Research, Dr. Doreet Anvi. It provides detailed information and insight into the impact of California's recent adverse weather conditions on this year's almond pollination.
BeeHero Pollination Research Stations
California based BeeHero is rolling out a network of strategically placed Pollination Research Stations statewide, covering all major growing regions and cultivars. Each location will be equipped with specialist sensors to monitor the hives, local weather conditions and bloom progress.
Pollination affects the nutritional quality of almonds
While the benefits of bee pollination to almond crop yield are well understood, there is less data about the impact on nutritional quality. We review a study that found cross -pollinated almonds have a higher nutritional quality in terms of fat composition than self-pollinated almonds.
Is a pollination crisis looming for almond growers?
Every year the almond acreage expands, while the population of honeybees, beset by a host of health problems, struggles to keep pace. A recent demand and supply analysis has forecast that available hive capacity for almond pollination could be exceeded by 2023.
Do Self-Pollinating Almonds Still Need Bees?
A recent study has identified the true pollinator dependence of the self fertile Independence almond variety. Fruit set was 60% higher in bee pollinated trees, which translated into a 20% increase in yield and 10% increase in net profit.
Every Bee Counts!
Bee flight hours are widely used as a proxy for honey bee foraging activity during almond bloom. However, emerging sensor technology now enables the accurate counting of every bee, leaving and entering a hive! This article presents some fascinating data generated from the unique bee counter and explores its potential for predicting crop yields.
Planning almond pollination precisely
Advances in data analytics now make it possible to calculate individual almond orchards’ pollination needs more precisely. Our Pollination Planner combines data about the local environment, tree density, age, etc. with knowledge about bee foraging behavior to calculate the optimum pollination force for specific situations.
The Honey Bee Welfare Challenge
Honey bees are indispensable to agriculture. Therefore it seems natural to include them in the animal welfare debate. But can the more holistic approach to measure livestock well-being in other farming sectors be applied to honey bees? Smart hives equipped with sensors could provide the solution, providing new insights into honey bee health and welfare.
