ProtectaBEE® - All-In-One Adjustable Hive Entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 20 years ago, bee expert Dr. Peter Kevan at the University of Guelph came up with the idea of bees carrying fungal powders out to plants to fight pests and diseases. In just the last few years, bee vectoring is being used to improve the health of many crops like strawberries and blueberries.

Dr. Kevan hypothesized that bee vectoring could fight pests and diseases inside a beehive. But bees are clever!  If you put a powder inside the hive, they just carry it right out. Dr. Kevan reached out to Dr. Erica Shelley from Best for Bees™, a long-time beekeeper and researcher, to solve this problem! And thus was born, the ProtectaBEE™. 

 

 

 

 

.

The ProtectaBEE™ allows bees to carry powders INTO the hive to improve health and simplify beekeeping. Our patent-pending design ensures that the bees transfer the powders throughout the hive at the right concentration while minimizing loss to the external environment.

 

 

 

 

Avoid lifting heavy honey boxes, squishing bees, and stings while keeping the bees healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New fungal strains of Metarhizium brunneum have shown promising results in managing Varroa mites inside hives. Our research team has also demonstrated that OXYTET can be introduced into hives with the ProtectaBEE™ at the same rate as conventional applications to protect hives against American and European foulbrood. We have not yet tested for small hive beetle, a real threat. This beekeeping season we will be working with beekeepers in small hive beetle affected areas to see if our design works, or if we can create a new insert. The next steps are the approval processes and further testing.

 

 

 

 

In 2020 Best for Bees joined forces with the premiere honeybee research institute in the world, the University of Guelph, to develop a product that would make it easier for beekeepers to improve hive health.

 

 

 

 

Can the bees cool the hive when it's hot?
We tested over two years and found less bearding on our hives with ProtectaBEE™ than without. Inside is an extra-large landing board, and there is still air moving in and out. Additionally, you can always remove the inserts, and we recommend doing that when you do not have any issues with robbers to maximize bee traffic!

Is plastic safe for bees?
Yes! Beehives for years have had plastic frames, plastic queen excluders, plastic feeders, and there are even full plastic hives! The bees don't mind!

Why plastic?
Most hives are fully exposed to all the weather elements. Over time wood warps and would not provide the security needed to keep out predators. We have sourced a bee-friendly plastic that will last several years outside without becoming brittle. Our inserts are also reinforced to prevent warping.

When will I get my ProtectaBEE™?
The ProtectaBEE information is already with a manufacturer! We need to do the final tooling and then submit our order. Our goal is to have it to you by early Summer 2022, in time for the busiest beekeeping season in North America.

Can the queen bee leave the colony with the ProtectaBEE™ cones installed?
The cones are big enough to let drones (boy bees) enter and exit the hive, so the queen can also enter and exit. This is important, especially if you have a virgin queen that needs to mate. The ProtectaBEE™ will not prevent swarming.

Is there even more that I can do with the ProtectaBEE™?
Since the ProtectaBEE™ is a plug & play system, it means we can create all sorts of inserts and additions. We are testing putting pollen patties into the ProtectaBEE™ this Spring behind a solid insert. We will be creating an insert in the future to block swarms temporarily. We also are developing a feeder that can be used with the ProtectaBEE™. And, of course, we will be testing to see if we can keep out small hive beetles!

Flow® is used with the permission of BeeInventive Pty Ltd., a company unaffiliated with Best for Bees™ or ProtectaBEE™.