Entomologist / Science Communicator Bayer Crop Science Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Apitech is the use of technology in apiculture to improve the efficiency, productivity and viability of beekeeping, especially for commercial beekeeping. Honey bee colony and apiary data from various types of IoT devices can determine colony health status and inform management decision-making. The types of IoT devices currently available and providing relatively reliable and consistent hive and bee data include hive scales, and external and internal hive temperature and relative humidity sensors. In addition, there are asset trackers, weather sensors, inspection record keeping databases, and a number of sensors that are less mainstream in useage. Connectivity is often an issue, especially in remote locations where cell signals and wifi coverage are weak or not available. Bayer Crop Science and Wyld Networks have partnered to develop an innovative hive cover contact sensor that is satellite enabled. The contact sensor can detect human interaction with a hive, or other opening events such as caused by knock-over by animals or storms. When contact sensor data are combined with hive scale data, it is possible to calculate hive net weight change over time from human interaction (or other cover removal event), and net weight change from bees activity. This is a game changer because it simplifies identification of key milestones and events, and makes interpretation for decision-making easier. The next steps are to automate the aggregation of data from multiple sources, and then apply analytics for visualizations and notifications.
