Beewise’s Heat Chamber kills 99% of honeybee mites, chemical-free

Varroa and Tropilaelaps are deadly mites that are devastating honeybee populations around the world. Despite the impact of these pests, beekeepers have limited treatment options to address these mites and ensure the health of their hives. Last year, Beewise introduced the BeeHome 4, which is equipped with new features to tackle these insects.

These latest improvements show BeeHome’s ability to adapt to environmental changes and serve as a long-term solution for aiding bee populations, said the San Ramon, Calif.-based company.

The Beehome is a hive powered by artificial intelligence and robotics. The device’s computer vision and robotic arm, all powered with solar energy, enable beekeepers to inspect and treat their bees remotely in real time. The system’s machine learning capabilities allow it to make assessments regarding hive health.

The BeeHome 4 includes a heat chamber designed to kill Varroa mites. The system works by first identifying when a frame of bees is at risk. The robotic arm then autonomously lifts that frame, shakes the bees off, and places the frame directly into the heat treatment chamber.

The AI-powered software applies heat at the precise temperature and duration to kill the mites without harming the bees before the robotic arm returns the frame to its hive and repeats as needed. All of this is accomplished without human intervention or chemicals.

In the spring of 2024, Beewise completed research on the efficacy of the Beewise Heat Chamber for killing Varroa mites during honey production in North Dakota. The company tested 100 frames for Varroa survival under three different conditions, and 36 frames received Beewise Heat Chamber treatment. In this analysis, treatment with the Beewise Heat Chamber killed 99% of Varroa.

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