Abstract: A method to condition honey bees to search for a non-reward producing target odor source is described. The method can be used to enable bees to identify a number of chemical substances such as those associated with unexploded ordinances, land mines, and illicit drug laboratories. Further, the subject method can be used to increase pollination efficiency by conditioning the bees to search for a specific vapor from a target crop. The method includes conditioning the bees to the target odor by moving their hives into a staging area. The staging area is located at least two miles from the ultimate site to be searched. The target odor is applied to the hives. Bulk feeders containing the target odor are placed near the hives. The hives are reoriented to the bulk feeders for several days. The hives are then moved to the search site and feeding/conditioning means containing the target odor are placed nearby. For the first, approximately 24 hours, the bees are fed from the feeding/conditioning means.

Abstract: A separator for facilitating removal of parasites from bees. The separator includes a bee filtration screen configured to receive bees, to allow passage of parasites therethrough, and to restrict passage of bees therethrough. An agitator is provided to agitate the bee filtration screen so as to dislodge parasites from bees received by the bee filtration screen.

Abstract: An evaporator which provides formic acid vapour at a consistent and repeatable rate for effective treatment of varroatosis in honey bees. The evaporation chamber is heated by an electrical element(s) and maintained at a constant temperature by a mechanical thermostat or electronic control circuit. The amount of vaporised material is controlled by adjusting the temperature setting and metering apertures of the evaporation chamber. A continuous flow of formic acid vapour has been demonstrated to kill tracheal and varroa mites much more effectively than other methods and systems, now in use, which depend primarily on the amount of heat generated within the hive as well as solar radiation and ambient temperatures for their operation. The evaporator is made using materials which are largely unaffected by corrosive chemicals, such as formic acid. All electrical components are protected from moisture and corrosion with a protective coating.

Abstract: A method for increasing pollen foraging activity in colonies of bees by application of a synthetic brood pheromone to the colony. The synthetic brood pheromone may comprise methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, methyl stearate, ethyl stearate, methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, methyl linoleate, ethyl linoleate, methyl linolenate and ethyl linolenate; or an active mixture comprising one or more of the enumerated esters. Exposure of bees to the synthetic brood pheromone increases the proportion of pollen foragers in the colony. The invention also provides a pollination unit comprising a collection of bees and the synthetic brood pheromone, and a device capable of releasing the brood pheromone in a controlled fashion within the colony.

Abstract: Applicant's invention includes an improved bee attracting composition. Applicant's invention further includes a bee attracting device formed from his improved bee attracting composition. Applicant's bee attracting device can be further coated with a second bee attracting composition. Applicant's invention further includes a method and apparatus for attracting and immobilizing bees using a substrate coated with an adhesive composition upon which Applicant's bee attracting composition is disposed.

Abstract: An evaporator which provides formic acid vapor at a consistent and repeatable rate for effective treatment of varroatosis in honey bees. The evaporation chamber is heated by an electrical element(s) and maintained at a constant temperature by a mechanical thermostat or electronic control circuit. The amount of vaporized material is controlled by adjusting the temperature setting and metering apertures of the evaporation chamber. A continuous flow of formic acid vapor has been demonstrated to kill tracheal and varroa mites much more effectively than other methods and systems, now in use, which depend primarily on the amount of heat generated within the hive as well as solar radiation and ambient temperatures for their operation. The evaporator is made using materials which are largely unaffected by corrosive chemicals, such as formic acid. All electrical components are protected from moisture and corrosion with a protective coating.

Abstract: Molding both faces of a honeycomb simultaneously by the action of respective belts carrying cores having resilience properties and, after cooling of the honeycomb, subjecting it to compression on both faces to separate the cores from the walls of the cells. The apparatus comprises two endless belts which are arranged opposite one another and are mounted between respective pairs of guide drums and both of which are provided with resilient cores of a shape complementary to that of the cells to be produced, the last pair of drums being capable of exerting a compression force against both faces of the honeycomb produced in order to detach it from the cores.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for disinfecting bee colonies for preventing or treating diseases in honey bees, honey bee larvae and honey bee hives are disclosed. Such diseases may arise from a variety of sources, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and parasites in the hive. Representative diseases preventable or treatable by this invention include Foulbrood and Chalkbrood. The compositions of the present invention include a protic acid and a chlorite ion, and may further include other optional components such as a gelling agent, colorant and/or preservative. Methods disclosed herein include applying the composition to a surface of a bee-hive. Honey produced by bees administered a composition of this invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for rearing bumblebee queens (genus Bombus) by generating a colony with workers in the presence of fertilized eggs and/or larvae, in a room with a controlled climate provided with food, and allowing the colony to grow until bumblebee queens are produced. The process constitutes a significant improvement in the rearing of bumblebee queens. The invention also relates to a process for rearing bumblebees (genus Bombus).

Abstract: A new pollination method for efficient crop pollination by insects, primarily the economical production of solitary bees and other pollinating insects in such sufficient and reliable numbers so as to permit their timely distribution among and pollination of entomophilous plants to produce a crop. The process utilizes a clean manufacturing environment to rear insect ovum to imagoes that are isolated from agents of disease, predation, and parasitism. This pollination method employs a point-to-point distribution system that also substantially reduces material, handling, and shipping costs.

Abstract: A method of achieving year-round utilization of pollinating insects such as bumble bees and a constant temperature box to be employed for this purpose. In order for this to be achieved, the temperature inside the nest box for housing pollinating insects such as bumble bees is maintained within an optimal habitat environment temperature range throughout the year. In the constant temperature box for maintaining the temperature within the optimal habitat environment temperature range, the temperature in the space where the nest box for housing pollinating insects such as bumble bees is placed is maintained within the optimal habitat environment temperature range for pollinating insects such as bumble bees through a device for temperature control. In addition, the constant temperature box is provided with a communication passage for access to allow the pollinating insects in the nest box to come and go between the nest box and the outside.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the harvesting of royal jelly. The method comprises the use of a first matrix of cell-like structures in an arrangement typical of normal worker bee cells which have interconnected plugs placed in the back of the matrix. A queen bee may then lay this matrix of cells with eggs. Upon the eggs turning into larvae, the plugs may be removed and the plugs are provided in interconnected sets such that each set provides plugs for each alternate cell in the first matrix of cells. These plugs may then be fitted to a second matrix of cells which provide larger, queen-like cells at a spacing of substantially the same as the alternate cells in the first matrix. The second matrix may then be placed in a queenless hive for the bees to fill the larger cells of the second matrix with royal jelly which may then be harvested.

Abstract: A process for modulating the behavior of the worker bees of a rearing colony in an orphan or starter hive or in the orphan part of a hive, by incorporating a bouquet comprising one or more pheromones in the constitutive matter of the cupules, grafting of larvae in the cupules of a frame or comb enabling the larvae to be fed by the rearing colony, and placing the frame or comb in the orphan or starter hive or said orphan part of the hive in contact with the rearing colony. The invention also relates to a cupule of a comb or a frame for a starter or rearing hive, into which said cupule a bee larva may be grafted, having in its constitutive matter a bouquet comprising one or more pheromones.

Abstract: In a method of extracting royal jelly from comb cells of queens, workers, and drones of Apis mellifera, the royal jelly is extracted under an inert gas cover such that it does not come into contact with air in the process, whereby the properties of the royal jelly are consistently retained.

Abstract: Biocontrol agents are disseminated for the control of pests by Apis mellifera L. using a device inserted into a modified down-sized super which is integrated as a substructure of a conventional, commercial beehive. The device provides separate entry and departure pathways which allows exiting bees to be surface-contaminated with the biocontrol agent as they exit the hive.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a system for combining the reforestation of cleared land with a bee pasture, mass production of honey, and fermentation of honey for the distillation of fuel alcohol to obtain a renewable source of clean, efficient energy.

Abstract: A method for treating honeybees for mite or parasite infestation by exposing the hive to a magnetic field which is limited but which is still greater than two orders of magnitude stronger than the magnetic field of the earth. Such a magnetic field combats the mite or parasite infestation, but the magnetic field is not so strong as to affect the viability of the bees themselves.

Abstract: An enclosure for the controlled breeding of honey bees has a diffusely illuminated upper dome section. The dome is illuminated either by upwardly directed light reflected or emitted from a lower portion of the enclosure, or by an external source diffused through the dome. A queen bee is tethered in the center of the enclosure below the dome.

Abstract: A cage-type device for trapping, storing, transporting and releasing a queen bee, possible with one or more worker bees. The cage comprises two slidingly attachable members which constitute bottom and roof members and also side-walls, in which there are provided entry and exit ports for the queen bee and for worker bees, which can be opened or closed, as required, by changing the relative position of the two slideable members. There is also provided a comparatively large opening, preferably in the floor section, for scooping up the queen bee, which can also be closed by a sliding motion of the two members. According to one embodiment, a compartment for a supply of bee food is provided. According to another embodiment, a slot of predetermined shape can be provided in one of the walls through which a movable member can be inserted, which makes it possible to move the queen bee to a desired location in the cage.

Abstract: A device for removing parasites from honey bees within a hive comprises a frame adapted to be fitted over the top of the hive in the place of the lid normally kept on the hive. The frame includes a passageway which is connected to a conduit extending down to the bottom opening of the hive. A spout fits over the bottom opening of the hive. A heating element heats the air which is drawn through the apparatus by a fan located therein. The air is circulated from the top of the hive through the apparatus where it is heated and then is forced into the bottom of the hive through the inlet opening. The temperature is raised to a level which will rid the bees of the parasites, but which can be tolerated by the bees.

Abstract: The temperament of a bee colony is assessed by placing a transducer-containing target adjacent the colony's hive, and inducing the colony to strike the target. Each individual bee strike is converted into an electrical signal by the target's transducer, that is transmitted to a tape recorder, or a totalizing counter for an immediate readout of the intensity of the strike by the colony.

Abstract: A novel combination of five queen-produced mandibular gland substances which can be used for controlling worker retinue formation around or in place of a honey bee queen Apis mellifera L. is disclosed. The composition comprises: 9-keto-2(E)-decenoic acid, R-(-)- and S-(+)-9-hydroxy-2(E)-decenoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanol. Each component more or less is generally weakly active alone, but the blend of five compounds in a ratio corresponding to their occurrence in gland extracts imparts activity equivalent to queen mandibular extract at a level as low as 10.sup.-7 of that present in a queen. This blend of compounds initiates the retinue response, which includes the licking and antennating behaviour that signals the presence of a dominant reproductive queen, and thereby establishes and stabilizes the social fabric of the colony.

Abstract: In the control of parasitoses in honey bees by applying to the bees, their food or their habitat a parasiticide which is selectively active against such parasitoses but not against said bees, the improvement wherein such parasiticide is a synthetic pyrethroid.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for detection of infestation of bees by organisms, such as parasites, particularly mites, in beehives, packages, and cages. The process and detector have a replaceable insert with an upwardly facing adhesive trapping surface with a spaced overlying screen having mesh openings sized to permit passage of infesting organisms while preventing passage of bees. The process and apparatus is particularly useful for rapid detection for the presence or absence of infesting organisms both in hives under field conditions and for purposes of certifying packages and cages free from infesting organisms and for evaluating the effectiveness of miticides for killing mites.