Abstract: A beehive frame scraping tool that includes a head portion having a first cutaway section disposed upon a first side edge, a second cutaway section disposed upon a second side edge, a top side edge disposed endwise perpendicularly between the first side edge and the second side edge, wherein the first cutaway section includes a rectangular section cut away from the first side edge and the second cutaway section includes a generally triangular section cut away from the second side edge, wherein the first side edge is usable to scrape a frame along at least two perpendicularly adjacent surfaces, the second side edge is useable to clip foundation wire, pry and remove nails from said frame, a point edge is usable to scrape a foundation groove in a frame, and a square edge is usable to scrape a wedge slot of a frame, whereby honeycomb is more expediently harvested.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for expelling bees from a bee hive, the bee hive having a portion containing at least one bee frame, the device comprising: a board for covering the portion of the bee hive, the board having a bottom side to face towards said portion, the board further comprising an inlet for receiving an air flow and at least two outlet slits arranged at the bottom side for directing at least a part of the air flow into said portion of the bee hive, a conduit system connecting the inlet and the at least two outlet slits, the outlet slits extending over a length of the at least one bee frame.

Abstract: A single unit device carried as a backpack used to capture and transfer bees. This single unit device is operated with an attached vacuum device and a removable inner screen containment cage. The device increases the capture capabilities of the user. Because the unit is strapped to the operator, this enhances the operator's ability to reach swarms that are currently beyond the reach of present day's equipment. The backpack always allows the operator to have one hand on the vacuum nozzle and the other hand free during operation. The unit can be operated on normal electrical current or a battery. When the unit is operated on a battery this gives the user the greatest flexibility to capture bees in hard to reach and/or remote locations.

Abstract: As described below, the present invention provides methods and compositions for controlling a honey bee parasitic mite. In addition, the invention features compositions useful for the treatment or prevention of a parasitic mite infestation in a honey bee hive.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing and blowing vaporized pesticide from a container into a bee hive comprising: i) an elongate housing having a top side portion, an open front discharge end portion and a partially closed rear end portion; ii) a heated receptacle positioned within a front portion of the housing; iii) a fan positioned within a rear portion of the housing; iv) a longitudinal slide, slidingly positioned within the top side portion of the housing, said slide having a rear manipulation end portion extending through the rear end portion of the elongate housing and a front end portion having a dosimetric cavity therethrough; and, v) a container receptacle to receive the pesticide container carried inverted on the top side portion of the elongate housing, positioned above the slide and configured so that when the dosimeter cavity is aligned beneath the container, the dosimeter cavity fills with pesticide, and then when the slide is moved sufficiently longitudinally, the pesticide is delivered to and then fal

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing parasites from bees within a hive. The apparatus has a housing that extends from a first end to a second end and has a hollow interior. An air moving device is attached to the first end and a spout is connected to the second end. A container is located within the hollow interior of the housing and contains a parasite killing solution therein. The spout is then connected to a bee hive such that a heating system in communication with the housing can cause the parasite killing solution to boil allowing the air moving device to take the steam from the parasite killing solution to the interior of the hive to kill parasites.

Abstract: A separator for facilitating removal of parasites from bees is provided. 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: A hole in a leafcutter bee nest is stripped by pushing a thin tube into the hole to separate larvae in the hole from the surrounding nest material. An ejector, for example a rod sliding in the tube, is used to eject the separated larvae and cocoons. The method is carried out using an apparatus with foot guides for engaging a nesting block and aligning the tubes with a row of holes in the block, and a sequential drive. The drive first pushes the tubes through the block then drives the rods through the tubes. The tubes and rods are then withdrawn. The foot guide is subsequently lifted out of engagement with the nesting block and the block is indexed one hole forwards for stripping of the next row of holes.

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.