Manitoba's Durston Honey Farms, based in Dauphin, Man., is set to try out a new made in Manitoba technology that will allow beekeepers to remotely monitor what exactly is happening inside the hives.
"People have been putting temperature probes and that sort of thing into beehives before," said Durston Honey Farms co-owner and head apiarist Allan Campbell. "But I believe this is the first time we've ever put something right inside of the honeycomb."
The new 'smart-hives' will be wired up with sensors that will track hive population and health, temperature, weight and more.
"This will be the first time that I know of that we'll be able to take such a detailed look at things remotely," he said.
Current process could harm hives
Currently, beekeepers have to open up and take apart hives in order to check on the health and status of the bees and honeycombs inside. Campbell said that can have a negative effect on the hive for hours and sometimes days afterwards. The new technology will allow he and his crews to check on hives remotely using a laptop computer or tablet.
Campbell said he's been working with Winnipeg software firm Function Four as well as students at the University of Manitoba to develop the software for about two years now. He hopes to install the first sensors this summer.
Source : CBC