Innovations: Mite zapper

[kensfarm]

Entomology prof. invents nonchemical device that kills pests harmful to bees


http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=38687

[Robo]

Hope he is not trying to re-invent the wheel.   Someone has already patented a device that kills mites with heat (see attachment).  Perhaps he is developing a device that is more pratical.

[Michael Bush]

The Russians were using ovens decades ago...

[randydrivesabus]

so is this something that doesn't really work? i havent seen anyone mention it or recommend it before.

[kensfarm]

Interesting.. heat to 125 degree's & spray veggie oil.. the device looks like central air/heat for a beehive. 

I wonder if the bee's lifespan is shortened when they're cooked(to kill the mites)? 

[Michael Bush]

>I wonder if the bee's lifespan is shortened when they're cooked(to kill the mites)? 

If you overheat the bees, they all barf up their honey stomachs and they are a sticky mess and many die.  If they don't reach that point, I've never seen any long term harm.

[Finsky]

Here we may se what our professor is going to do. http://www.cyberbee.net/huangpub/2001ABJ.pdf

"
The newly invented “mitezapper” combines
mite biology and a heating element
inside the comb to kill mites. Consistine of
colony (over 90% of mites if no worker
brood is in the colony). The new invention
requires no opening of the hive and beekeepers
need simply to hook up two terminals
outside a hive to a battery for 2-3 minutes.
Resistant elements in the comb heat
and kill both the mites and the drone
pupae. It is possible to regulate the temperature
to kill mites only and not to harm
the drone bees "

So at first he has tightly wired drone foundation and when drones are capped, he grills mites and perhaps drone pupae.  .......and he needd a good hygienic behaviour too in hive.

[Brian D. Bray]

Well If you're going to grill drone larva I would suggest a good BBQ Sauce.

[abejaruco]

Well If you're going to grill drone larva I would suggest a good BBQ Sauce.

Yes, I suppouse that it is necessary too much oiled sauce to "commulgate that stone mill".

[Finsky]

We have a rock song : "A man is what he eats".