Abstract:
An artificially-created honey-yielding environment is established, including a hive and an associated flora cell, within which first and second plant populations cohabit. Within the cell, honey-producing insects from the hive are permitted to forage. One of the populations has been artificially introduced. The other may be indigenous to the cell. The first plant population serves as a primary source of nectar which yields bioactive honey and the second serves as a source of a nutrient, such as protein, which is not abundantly available from the first species at a nutritionally adequate level for sustaining the metabolism and energy of the foraging honey-producing insects for returning to the hive. The first flora population may be a Leptospermum species. An example of the second is Corymbia maculata.
Abstract:
A beehive suitable for the treatment of a colony of bees inside it against the infestation of mites, includes a plurality of frames for supporting honeycombs. The frames do not have pre-built honeycombs to house the eggs of the bees, so that they are built by the bees to suit their needs. The frames are able to be heated inside the beehive, up to a maximum temperature of less than 45° C.
Abstract:
As described below, the present invention features methods and compositions for controlling a honey bee parasitic mite or for the treatment or prevention of a parasitic mite infestation in a honey bee hive. In particular embodiments, the invention provides a miticidal delivery device, wherein the device is a corrugated strip comprising a liquid composition comprising at least about 15% potassium salts of hop beta acids, solvent and an emulsifier.
Abstract:
A frame and comb foundation and method for controlling Varroa mites in a honeybee hive. In a first embodiment the invention is comprised of half portions of the frame and comb foundation in combination with a power supply, heating element, electronic control unit (ECU), temperature sensor and an optional diagnostic system. The ECU which may be mounted on the frame and comb foundation or, in a separate enclosure is comprised of a micro-controller and other circuitry. The temperature sensor is mounted adjacent to the heating unit. The power supply may mobile or stationary, such as a battery or line current.In a second embodiment, the frame and comb foundation is interconnected with similar frame and comb foundations in multiple hives that include individual ECU's and temperature sensors and individual wireless electronic communication systems, a single power source and individual heating elements. The multiple temperature sensors are mounted adjacent to the heating elements. The ECU's are mounted on the frame and comb foundations or in separate enclosures. The ECU's are comprised of logic circuits or micro-controllers and other circuitry. The power source may be a mobile or stationary source such as a battery.
Abstract:
A method of extracting honey from a honeybee hive is disclosed, comprising: separating the honey super(s) containing the frames of honey from the remainder of the hive components; placing the entire honey super(s) in an extractor such that the top bar of said frames are closest to the wall of the extractor; and rotating the extractor sufficiently to extract the honey. The frames of honey are plastic fully drawn combs and are not uncapped prior to the rotating step. The honey super(s) is/are rotated 90° from its/their position in the hive. The honey super frames can comprise a unitary integral plastic frame and foundation having a top bar, 2 side bars and a bottom bar with said foundation positioned between all of said bars, said side bars having a width wider than the top bar and bottom bar so as to create bee space, said foundation having hexagonal dimples formed therein, each of said dimples having an integrally formed plastic honeybee egg positioned centrally.
Abstract:
The method comprises a first step of applying liquid wax to a mold formed by a plurality of projections conjugate with the cells of the honeycomb in a manner such that the filling of the spaces of the mold with molten wax is complemented by the formation of an upper plate interconnecting the various cells, then proceeding with the molding of the half honeycomb and subsequent cooling to enable the half honeycomb to be removed from the mold. The apparatus has two parallel, endless belts separated by a space slightly larger than the height of a half honeycomb and driven in a manner such that the adjacent passes have the same speed and direction of movement, a mold constituted by a plurality of rows of silicone projections of a shape conjugate with the cells being fitted on one of the belts.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the harvesting of royal jelly. The method comprises the use of a first matrix of cell-like structures in an arrangement typical of normal worker bee cells which have interconnected plugs placed in the back of the matrix. A queen bee may then lay this matrix of cells with eggs. Upon the eggs turning into larvae, the plugs may be removed and the plugs are provided in interconnected sets such that each set provides plugs for each alternate cell in the first matrix of cells. These plugs may then be fitted to a second matrix of cells which provide larger, queen-like cells at a spacing of substantially the same as the alternate cells in the first matrix. The second matrix may then be placed in a queenless hive for the bees to fill the larger cells of the second matrix with royal jelly which may then be harvested.