Integration device for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony, beehive and method for controlling mites and / or moths

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integration device (1) for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony, wherein the device (1) comprises a cavity (14) designed and configured to accommodate a breeding setup (16) for pseudoscorpions. The invention further relates to a beehive (100) comprising at least one breeding frame (110) and at least one integration device (1) according to the invention, as well as a method for controlling mites and / or moths in a bee colony. The invention further relates to the use of an integration device (1) or a beehive (100) for controlling mites and / or moths.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an integration device for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony, wherein the integration device comprises a cavity designed and equipped to accommodate a breeding setup for pseudoscorpions.

[0002] The invention further describes a beehive comprising at least one breeding frame and at least one integration device according to the invention.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for combating mites and / or moths in a bee colony, comprising placing an integration device according to the invention in a beehive.

[0004] The invention further discloses the use of an integration device according to the invention and / or a beehive according to the invention for combating mites and / or moths.

[0005] Besides food scarcity due to the dwindling amount of green space and monocultures, parasites such as mites and moths are a major cause of bee deaths in many countries. The Varroa mite (Varroa destructur) in particular has spread throughout Europe over the past few decades and infests bee colonies. It makes bee colonies more susceptible to pathogens, weakening the colony and often resulting in the death of the bees from the Varroa mite infestation.

[0006] Current methods for combating parasites in bee colonies include the use of antiparasitic agents with acaricidal properties; however, these also have long-term negative effects on the bee colony itself. Treatment with chemicals such as formic acid, oxalic acid, or lactic acid is also known.

[0007] However, it has been proven that mites and moths develop a resistance to these chemicals over time, which makes them less and less effective in the long run.

[0008] Furthermore, there is a risk that if these agents are used year-round, acid residues and their breakdown products will accumulate in the wax and the final product, honey. An alternative is to treat with the aforementioned acids only after the honey harvest, in order to keep the honey free of acids and breakdown products. Honey harvesting often takes place in late summer, but treatment with acids from autumn onwards has the disadvantage that the population density of mites and moths, especially the Varroa mite, will have already reached its peak by then.

[0009] The use of mite-pathogenic fungi is also known from the state of the art; however, the extent to which these fungi affect the bee colony is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, such fungi often require a host on which they can sporulate.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for alternative methods of controlling mites and moths in bee populations and beehives.

[0011] It is known that the so-called book scorpion (Chelifer cancroides), a representative of the pseudoscorpions, originally lived in symbiosis with bee colonies. As a predator of aphids, mites, and moths, it kept beehives as free of parasites as possible (Max Beier, "The Book Scorpion, a Welcome Guest of Bee Colonies", Der österreichische Imker, Vol. 1, 1951, pp. 209-211. - ISSN 0471-0592).

[0012] An advantage of this method of parasite control is that the pseudoscorpion can live in the beehive year-round, meaning that "treatment" of the bees is not limited to the winter months or dependent on the honey harvest. The pseudoscorpion combats its prey by detecting mites and moths primarily through movement and smell via its sensory hairs, biting them, injecting a digestive fluid, and sucking them dry.

[0013] In the past, the main food source of the pseudoscorpion in beehives consisted of wax moth larvae and bark lice, and since its introduction to Europe, also the already discussed Varroa mite.

[0014] Based on this concept, attempts have been made to reintroduce the pseudoscorpion into beehives. A particular problem here is that modern beehives, unlike natural hives such as those in trees, do not provide an attractive habitat for the pseudoscorpion, as the treated wood is sterile and smooth, offering hardly any hiding places, or the hives are even made of rigid foam.

[0015] According to this, attempts were made to establish the book scorpion in the bottom of the beehive (Torben Schiffer “Beenature-Project”) or to scratch the wooden walls to make the beehives more attractive to the book scorpion.

[0016] However, it has been shown that a sufficient number of pseudoscorpions are necessary for effective treatment of bee colonies. Furthermore, the humidity in the hive should not exceed 50%, which is particularly difficult to achieve during the summer months. When introducing pseudoscorpions to the bottom of the hive, the bottom must be completely enclosed. This hinders air circulation within the hive and may necessitate relocating the bee entrance, which confuses and stresses the bees.

[0017] A major problem, however, is that mites and moths, especially the Varroa mite, preferentially infest nurse bees in the brood chamber of the beehive; therefore, the majority of mite and moth reproduction takes place within the brood chamber itself. If the pseudoscorpion is introduced into the bottom of the hive, it is thus too far removed from the brood, and consequently from the majority of mites and moths, to be effective in parasite control.

[0018] DE 10 2015 117 102 B3 shows a beehive with a receiving space bounded by a perimeter wall for arranging honeycombs, wherein in the receiving space, in the perimeter wall itself or adjacent to the perimeter wall on the outside, a functional space accessible to bees is formed, which can be filled with a filling material such as hay or straw and in which pseudoscorpions can be settled.

[0019] The DE 35 15 851 A1 teaches a wire mesh cage which is placed in an empty honeycomb frame and filled with provisions for the march; furthermore, the biological control of varroosis by small animals, such as the predatory mite or the pseudoscorpion, is shown.

[0020] EP 4 085 762 A1 discloses a beehive with an internal structure including an internal cavity, a support device, an insulation device with a layered structure and a substrate intake in which a substrate is arranged as a habitat for a symbiont.

[0021] The demand for a more effective method for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony is therefore immense.

[0022] The present invention was therefore based on the objective of providing an integration device for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony that is not burdened with the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular dispensing with the use of antiparasitics, chemicals such as formic acid, oxalic acid or lactic acid, or mite-pathogenic fungi.

[0023] For this purpose, pseudoscorpions are to be used that are suitable for year-round "treatment" of bees and do not negatively affect the bee colony, in particular by not creating a novel environment with an altered entrance or changed air circulation. Furthermore, according to the invention, the pseudoscorpion should be able to be used effectively at the site of primary mite and moth infestation, especially of the Varroa mite.

[0024] To solve this problem, the invention proposes an integration device for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony, comprising a base, a removable lid, a front, a back, and two side walls. The base, front, back, and side walls form a cavity designed and configured to accommodate a breeding culture for pseudoscorpions. The front or back, or both, comprise holes and at least one fastening device, the fastening device being designed and configured to secure at least one mat made of plant fibers.

[0025] An integration device according to the present invention is preferably a device that makes it possible to integrate the pseudoscorpion into a bee colony, in particular into a beehive. The pseudoscorpion is intended to live in symbiosis with the bee colony and not have any adverse effect on its brood, reproduction, honey production, or similar processes. Rather, the pseudoscorpion is intended to keep the beehive essentially free of parasites, meaning that the number of surviving parasites is so low that it does not adversely affect the brood, reproduction, or honey production. The parasites, in the form of lice, mites, and moths, serve as a food source for the pseudoscorpion.

[0026] In suitable embodiments, the integration device is designed as a rectangular box with a removable lid, but alternative designs are also possible. For example, it could be designed as a sphere or a three-dimensional body with an n-sided cross-section, or the like. Furthermore, embodiments are conceivable in which the lid is not completely removable but only hinged, i.e., at least partially attached to the integration device.

[0027] It has proven advantageous if the lid is removable or at least hinged, allowing the cavity to be refilled with breeding culture or for additional book scorpions to be added. Furthermore, such enclosures are particularly well-suited if they allow air circulation and provide the book scorpion with sufficient oxygen; therefore, they should include holes on at least one of the large surfaces, such as the front and / or back.

[0028] These holes primarily serve to allow the pseudoscorpions to leave the breeding setup and go in search of food, using the parasites in the beehive as a food source.

[0029] Preferably, the holes have a size of approximately 4 to 8 mm. These can, for example, be circular and have a diameter of 4-8 mm. Furthermore, the front or back of the integration device comprises at least one fastening device, and in particular two or more fastening devices, for at least one mat made of plant fibers.

[0030] According to the invention, the cavity of the integration device contains a breeding culture for the pseudoscorpion, comprising at least softwood shavings and topsoil. Topsoil, according to the invention, is understood to be the uppermost, most fertile horizon of the soil. In addition to mineral components such as sand and clay, it contains in particular a high proportion of nutrients such as nitrogen, organic substances such as humus, and also edaphon, which comprises all soil organisms and microorganisms living in the soil.

[0031] According to the invention, softwood chips are understood to be wood granules suitable for absorbing a certain amount of moisture (e.g., approximately 10-15% by weight water), whereby the type of wood (e.g., softwood, hardwood) is generally not of particular relevance. In suitable embodiments, the softwood chips are low in dust and not (chemically) treated. In preferred embodiments, the culture medium can further comprise potting soil.

[0032] According to the invention, potting soil is understood to be an industrially produced, humus-rich substrate, in which both potting soil and special soils, such as seed starting soil, orchid soil or grave soil, can be used.

[0033] It has also proven particularly suitable to add water to the culture medium to ensure a basic level of moisture. It has proven especially advantageous if the humidity in the integration device filled with the culture medium is approximately 70% to 80% in the lower half and approximately 35% to 45% in the upper half.

[0034] When introducing pseudoscorpions into a beehive, approximately 130 to 170, preferably 140 to 160, are placed in the breeding culture. This number is generally sufficient to keep a beehive essentially free of parasites, meaning that the survival of any individual parasites does not negatively affect the bee colony.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the breeding mixture comprises approximately 55 to 65 wt.% softwood shavings, 30 to 40 wt.% topsoil, and approximately 5 to 10 wt.% potting soil, with the total composition of the components being 100 wt.%. For the above quantity of pseudoscorpions, it has proven advantageous to add approximately 50 ml of water to the breeding mixture per week, the amount of water being variable depending on the temperature.

[0036] In a suitable embodiment of the integration device according to the invention, it further comprises at least one mounting device for attaching the integration device in a hive body. It is particularly advantageous if the integration device according to the invention has two mounting devices, each attached to one of the side walls.

[0037] To reduce complex mechanisms and material costs, hanging systems have proven particularly suitable. These allow the integration device according to the invention, as well as the breeding frames for the bees, to be easily hung in the hive body without requiring any special adaptation or modification of the hive body. In particularly suitable embodiments, the hanging systems comprise screw systems that can be adapted to a predetermined width.

[0038] This allows the integration device according to the invention to be used in various hive systems with different widths.

[0039] In preferred embodiments, the integration device has a width of 400 to 420 mm, a height of 180 to 220 mm, and a depth of 25 to 35 mm. It has proven advantageous if the integration device used in a beehive does not occupy the entire height and width of the hive body, allowing the bees to fly past it. This offers the advantage that the bees can brood on both sides of the integration device.

[0040] In a suitable embodiment, the integration device according to the invention further comprises at least one mat made of plant fibers, which is attached to the at least one fastening device. Preferably, a mat made of plant fibers is attached to both the front and the back of the integration device. This can be achieved by attaching a mat made of plant fibers from the front to the back such that the mat extends from the front of the integration device across the ground to the back. Alternatively, and more preferably, two separate mats made of plant fibers are attached to the front and back of the integration device. The advantage of two separate mats, one attached to the front and one to the back, is that the mats made of plant fibers lie closer to the integration device.

[0041] The mat made of plant fibers is attached by at least one fastening device, which may include a snap-in device, a clamping device, a hanging device, a pressure device, a magnetic device, a hook-and-loop fastener, or an adhesive device, the various fastening methods being familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the at least one fastening device comprises a hook-and-loop fastener made of plastic, since this is cost-effective and weather-resistant and, unlike metal devices, does not rust, especially during the damp months.

[0042] In a suitable embodiment, the mat made of plant fibers is a mat made of bast fibers, wood fibers, fruit fibers, straw fibers, coconut fibers or mixtures thereof.

[0043] In principle, all mats made of plant fibers that can serve as a habitat for the pseudoscorpion are suitable; however, some materials, such as hemp mats, also have negative effects on the bee colony in that they exhibit more aggressive behavior, and these types of mats are more susceptible to mold growth.

[0044] Coconut mats or straw mats have proven to be particularly suitable materials; coconut mats, in particular, have shown very low susceptibility to mold, bacteria, and rot. Coconut mats also have antibacterial properties, are difficult to ignite, and exhibit excellent dimensional stability, meaning they retain their shape even under large temperature fluctuations and varying humidity levels, such as those experienced in summer and winter. Especially during the summer months, the plant fiber mat serves as a habitat for the pseudoscorpion, while in the winter months, the scorpion retreats into the cavity of the integration device, i.e., the breeding setup.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment of the integration device according to the invention, the mat made of plant fibers further comprises a nutrient medium. As already discussed, pseudoscorpions live on the mats made of plant fibers, particularly during the summer months, so the nutrient medium creates an even more attractive habitat for the pseudoscorpion.

[0046] The culture medium essentially comprises the two components already discussed for the breeding setup: softwood shavings and topsoil. In suitable embodiments, the culture medium may also include potting soil and water. Preferably, the composition of the culture medium is the same as that of the breeding setup, so that the pseudoscorpion does not have to adapt to a new environment. Alternatively, however, the composition can also vary.

[0047] In advantageous embodiments, the mats made of plant fibers have a mesh size of 100 to 400 mesh, preferably 200 to 300 mesh, and a residual moisture content of 20%, in particular 25%.

[0048] It was found that this level of humidity creates ideal conditions for pseudoscorpions to maintain a relatively constant population density. Furthermore, it prevents excessively high humidity levels during the summer months.

[0049] In suitable embodiments of the integration device according to the invention, it includes a desiccant, particularly to maintain a constant ambient humidity. To avoid any danger or negative effects on the pseudoscorpion and also on the bee colony, the use of chemical desiccants is avoided in preferred embodiments.

[0050] Particularly suitable are desiccants that physically absorb moisture, such as those consisting of alumina, silica gel, and molecular sieves. It has proven advantageous to fill the desiccant into a suitable perforated container and attach it to the inside of the integration device above the cavity. Besides their safe and harmless application, the advantage of physically absorbent desiccants lies in their ease of use, especially since these desiccants can be easily regenerated by heat.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, to regulate humidity and, particularly in the winter months, also to regulate temperature, the integration device according to the invention can further comprise a thermal insulation device. Ideally, this is attached to the areas where a large amount of heat can escape from the integration device, such as the front, the back, or the bottom.

[0052] Preferably, the thermal insulation device is attached to the front, back, and bottom, with the integration device, in suitable embodiments, being virtually enveloped by the thermal insulation device. Preferably, the thermal insulation device is positioned between the integration device and the mat(s) made of plant fibers.

[0053] In suitable embodiments, the integration device is transparent, allowing monitoring of the book scorpions' condition. To create a durable and weather-resistant integration device, it preferably comprises components made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, and / or mixtures thereof, or is constructed entirely of these materials.

[0054] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a beehive comprising at least one outer cover, at least one hive bottom and at least two supers, wherein the first super is designed as a brood chamber super, comprising at least one breeding frame, in particular several breeding frames, and at least one integration device according to the invention, and wherein the second super is designed as a honey super.

[0055] When the invention refers to a beehive, it preferably means magazine hives, which consist of stackable elements comprising brood chambers and honey supers. An advantage here is that the brood chamber and the honey super are separated from each other by a mesh screen. However, the use of the integration devices according to the invention is also conceivable in so-called storage hives, which usually consist of rows of brood and honey combs suspended in a wooden box.

[0056] The beehives according to the invention can comprise simple or divided brood chambers; both small and large brood chambers are conceivable. Beehives with the dimensions according to Zander and Dr. Liebig have proven particularly suitable. The size of the top bar, brood chamber, and number of frames of the various hive systems are familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0057] The beehive according to the invention comprises at least one outer cover. This is preferably made of metal and protects the beehive from the weather while also providing robust mechanical protection. Optionally, the beehive according to the invention can additionally include an inner cover, which provides additional thermal insulation and protects the bee colony, particularly during the winter months. The hive floor can preferably be designed as a raised floor, which is not in direct contact with the ground and therefore results in less moisture and dampness.

[0058] According to the invention, the brood chamber contains at least one breeding frame, preferably several breeding frames, as well as the integration device according to the invention. According to the invention, a breeding frame is understood to be a so-called frame comprising a wooden frame and a beeswax foundation wired into it, which is familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0059] The breeding frame typically includes a hanging device on both sides at the top so that it can be hung in the hive body. According to the invention, a honey super is a super that is removed after the end of the honey season, i.e., after harvesting, and is therefore not available for overwintering. In a first embodiment of the beehive according to the invention, the integration device according to the invention is used in conjunction with a so-called drone frame, particularly when the bee colony is not yet strong enough.

[0060] In a further, particularly preferred, embodiment, the integration device according to the invention is suspended centrally in the brood chamber. A drone frame is commonly understood by those skilled in the art to be a frame in which no beeswax foundation is inserted, so that the bees build combs themselves using wax. Experience has shown that the combs of the drone frame are larger than ordinary combs and serve as a brood chamber for the drones.

[0061] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for combating mites and / or moths, in particular varroa mites and / or wax moths, in a bee colony comprising the steps a) Provision of a beehive according to the invention b) Placing at least one bee colony into the beehive according to the invention c) Filling the cavity of the integration device according to the invention with a breeding culture comprising pseudoscorpions d) Attaching at least one mat made of plant fibers to the integration device according to the invention e) Placement of the integration device according to the invention in the beehive according to the invention, such that the integration device according to the invention is located adjacent to the at least one breeding frame, in particular between the several breeding frames.

[0062] According to step b) of the process, in suitable embodiments of the inventive method, the bee colony can first be left in the beehive for two weeks to acclimate to a new beehive, without immediately using the pseudoscorpions according to step c).

[0063] This can also serve to check whether the introduced bee colony has a queen, i.e., whether bee brood is being produced. Once this is determined, the integration device can be filled with a breeding culture of pseudoscorpions according to step c). Steps c) and d) can be carried out sequentially, in reverse order, or simultaneously.

[0064] The object of the present invention is further achieved by the use of an integration device according to the invention or a beehive according to the invention for combating mites and / or moths.

[0065] Through the integration device according to the invention, the beehive according to the invention and their use, and also through the method according to the invention for combating mites and moths in a bee colony, a control of the parasites can be created that does not adversely affect the bee colony, the honeycombs or the end product honey, in particular does not lead to a weakening of the bee colony or to the accumulation of chemicals or their degradation products in the honeycombs or the honey.

[0066] Rather, it enables the control of parasites in a way that is completely harmless to the bee colony and can be used cost-effectively year-round. No additional food sources or host systems are required, as the pseudoscorpion feeds solely on the bee colony's parasites, thereby entering into a symbiotic relationship with the bees.

[0067] The breeding method maintains a constant population density of the pseudoscorpion and provides it with a familiar environment. This allows for the creation of a resilient bee colony and extends the honey harvest season, as the pseudoscorpion is introduced directly at the source of mite and moth infestations.

[0068] The invention is illustrated by the examples, drawings and claims. Example: Use of the pseudoscorpion in two beehives and a control experiment in a beehive without a pseudoscorpion

[0069] The following describes the use of pseudoscorpions in beehives by the integration device according to the invention.

[0070] For this purpose, three beehives in the form of magazine hives with an outer cover, an inner cover, a hive bottom designed as a high bottom and two boxes each are provided, wherein two of the beehives are equipped with the integration device according to the invention comprising pseudoscorpions and the third beehive serves as a control experiment without pseudoscorpions.

[0071] The three beehives were chosen for their location, ensuring they receive the same amount of sunlight and weather conditions, and were positioned under trees. Furthermore, all three hives are roughly the same distance from a pond, which serves as a water source, and from potential food sources, particularly lavender. The experiment will be conducted over the summer and autumn months, from June to November, coinciding with the critical honey harvest period, as discussed earlier.

[0072] Each beehive contains one bee colony (colony 1 to colony 3) which is left in the respective beehive for 14 days to acclimatize.

[0073] An integration device according to the invention was initially placed on the opposite side of the breeding frames in two beehives (colony 1 and 2) after 14 days. After it was determined that this placed the pseudoscorpions too far from the respective bee colonies to be effective, the integration devices according to the invention were hung in the center of the brood chamber on day 79 of the experiment.

[0074] The integration apparatus for the experiments contained a breeding culture consisting of 60% by weight softwood shavings, 35% by weight topsoil, and 5% by weight garden soil. 50 ml of water and approximately 150 pseudoscorpions were added, a number determined by sampling the culture.

[0075] In order to make a statement about the effectiveness of the pseudoscorpions used, the varroa mite infestation in the respective bee colonies was examined over a longer period of time, whereby the dead varroa mites on the drawer of the beehive were counted by hand.

[0076] A traffic light system based on the Varroa app of the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture served as a measure of the general health of the bee colony, according to which a bee colony is considered "healthy", i.e. everything is in the light grey area (see graphic), if the number of dead Varroa mites per week is below 35.

[0077] A gray zone is defined as a weekly count between 35 and 70 dead Varroa mites, at which point the beekeeper should monitor the situation and take appropriate action. The critical black zone is reached when more than 70 dead Varroa mites are found per week. Results

[0078] In the two bee colonies (colony 1, light grey curve and colony 2, grey curve) that were treated with the pseudoscorpion, the number of dead Varroa mites remained below the critical range throughout the entire experiment.

[0079] In colony 3 (black curve), which was not equipped with the integration device according to the invention and therefore was not treated with the pseudoscorpion, the number of dead Varroa mites rose into the critical range from about day 71, which corresponds to the beginning of September.

[0080] Therefore, conventional Varroa mite treatment was essential to maintain the control colony (colony 3) as a comparison sample. Consequently, colony 3 underwent a conventional treatment with formic acid in mid-September, on day 85 of the experiment.

[0081] In the following weeks, the number of dead Varroa mites in colony 3 consequently increased extremely; the values ​​are all in the critical range, but cannot be used for comparison with the treatment by the pseudoscorpion (colony 1 and colony 2).

[0082] However, when examining colony 3 after stabilization following the acid treatment, it can be shown that the highest value of dead Varroa mites is 84, which is in the critical range.

[0083] In colonies 1 and 2, however, the highest number of dead Varroa mites without prior acid treatment is 52 and 61 respectively.

[0084] Generally, the number of dead Varroa mites increases in all colonies from day 42 onwards, which corresponds to the beginning of August, because the Varroa mite multiplies more rapidly in the summer.

[0085] It is also evident in colonies 1 and 2 that moving the integration device to the middle of the brood chamber on day 79 of the experiment ensures that the number of dead Varroa mites can continue to be kept below the critical level.

[0086] The decrease in the number of dead Varroa mites between days 78 and 95 is due to the very heavy rainfall during this period. The bee colonies collected little pollen during this time, leading to a brood-rearing cessation in the Varroa mite population, and thus a significant decrease in population density.

[0087] In summary, the comparison between colonies 1 and 2 with colony 3 showed that the use of pseudoscorpions in beehives leads to a reduced number of dead Varroa mites, thus demonstrating the success of treating these parasites with pseudoscorpions. Brief description of the drawings

[0088] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the following description.

[0089] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an integration device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of an integration device according to the invention and Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a beehive according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0090] In the following description of the embodiments of the invention, identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted in individual cases. The figures represent the subject matter of the invention only schematically.

[0091] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an integration device 1 according to the invention for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony. The integration device 1 shown comprises a base 2, a removable lid 4, a front 6, a back 8 and two side walls 10, 12.

[0092] The base 2, the front 6, the back 8, and the two side walls 10, 12 form a cavity 14, which is designed and equipped to accommodate a breeding setup 16 for pseudoscorpions. In the illustrated embodiment of the integration device 1 according to the invention, the front 6 and the back 8 have holes 18 (shown here only for the front 6) from which the pseudoscorpions located in the breeding setup 16 can climb to reach the mites and moths in the beehive 100 (not shown here). In the illustrated embodiment, the front 6 and the back 8 comprise a fastening device 20 (also shown here only for the front 6 for clarity), which is designed here as an elongated Velcro fastener.

[0093] This fastening device 20 is designed and configured to fasten a mat 22 made of plant fibers. The mat 22 made of plant fibers shown further comprises a nutrient medium 24, which includes at least softwood shavings and topsoil. In the embodiment shown, the integration device 1 also includes a desiccant 26, which physically absorbs the moisture, and which is attached here to the upper region of the side wall 10. According to the invention, the integration device 1 is attached to a frame 106 of a beehive 100 via at least one mounting device 30, which here is designed as two hooks on the two side walls 10, 12 (see also [reference to be added]). Fig. 3).

[0094] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of an integration device 1 according to the invention, showing the side wall 10. The integration device 1 has a mat 22 made of plant fibers attached to the front 6 and the back 8.

[0095] The embodiment according to Fig. 2 differs from the one according to Fig. 1. The device further comprises a thermal insulation device 28, which, in the embodiment shown here, is attached to the front 6, the back 8, and the bottom 2. This insulation device 28 serves to be placed over the integration device 1, particularly during the cold winter months. The thermal insulation device 28 is therefore located between the integration device 1 according to the invention and the mats 22 made of plant fibers.

[0096] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a beehive 100 according to the invention. The beehive 100 comprises an outer cover 102 made of metal, a hive bottom 104, which in the embodiment shown here is designed as a raised bottom, and two boxes 106, 112, wherein the first box 106 is designed as a brood chamber box 108 and the second box 112 as a honey super 114.

[0097] The brood chamber 108 comprises several breeding frames 110 and an integration device 1, as already mentioned for the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 discussed. It is evident that the integration device 1 does not occupy the entire width of the brood chamber 108, so that the bees can fly past it.

[0098] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described here and the aspects highlighted therein. Rather, within the scope specified by the claims, a multitude of modifications are possible that fall within the bounds of what is considered skilled in the art. Reference symbol list 1 Integration device 2 floors 4 removable lids 6 Front 8 Back 10 first side wall 12 second side wall 14 Cavity 16 Breeding approach 18 holes 20 Fastening device 22 mats 24 nutrient medium 26 desiccants 28 Insulation device 30 Mounting device 100 beehives 102 Outer covers 104 hive floors 106 first frame 108 Brood chamber 110 breeding frames 112 second frame 114 Honigzarge

Claims

[1] Integration device (1) for integrating pseudoscorpions into a bee colony, comprising a base (2), a removable lid (4), a front (6), a back (8) and two side walls (10, 12), wherein the bottom (2), the front (6), the back (8) and the side walls (10, 12) form a cavity (14), designed and set up to accommodate a breeding setup (16) for pseudoscorpions, wherein the front (6) and / or the back (8) includes holes (18), wherein the front (6) and / or the back (8) comprises at least one fastening device (20), designed and configured to fasten at least one mat (22) made of plant fibers. [2] Integration device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one mounting device (30), designed and configured to mount the integration device (1) in a frame (106) of a beehive (100). [3] Integration device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a culture mixture (16), wherein the culture mixture (16) is located in the cavity (14), and wherein the culture mixture (16) comprises at least softwood shavings and topsoil. [4] Integration device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one mat (22) made of plant fibers, wherein the at least one mat (22) is attached to the at least one fastening device (20), wherein the mat (22) comprises bast fibers, wood fibers or fruit fibers, in particular straw fibers and / or coconut fibers. [5] Integration device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the mat (22) further comprises a nutrient medium (24), wherein the nutrient medium (24) comprises at least softwood chips and topsoil. [6] Integration device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the mat (22) has a mesh size of 100 to 400 mesh, preferably of 200 to 300 mesh, and a residual moisture content of 20%, in particular of 25%. [7] Integration device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a desiccant (26), in particular a desiccant (26) which physically absorbs the moisture, in particular selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica gel and molecular sieve. [8] Integration device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one thermal insulation device (28), wherein the insulation device (28) can be attached in particular to the front (6) and / or the back (8) and / or to the bottom (2). [9] Integration device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the integration device (1) is transparent, and wherein the integration device (1) comprises in particular polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate and / or polyethylene terephthalate. [10] Beehive (100) comprising at least one outer cover (102), at least one hive floor (104) and at least two frames (106, 112), wherein the first box (106) is designed as a brood chamber box (108) comprising at least one breeding frame (110), in particular several breeding frames (110), and at least one integration device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and wherein the second box (112) is designed as a honey super (114). [11] Methods for controlling mites and / or moths, in particular varroa mites and / or wax moths, in a bee colony, comprising the steps a) Provision of a beehive (100) according to claim 10 b) Placing at least one bee colony in the beehive (100) c) Filling the cavity (14) of the integration device (1) with a breeding setup (16) according to claim 3 comprising pseudoscorpions d) Attaching at least one mat (22) made of plant fibers according to claim 4 to the integration device (1) e) Placement of the integration device (1) in the beehive (100) such that the integration device (1) is adjacent to the at least one breeding frame (110), in particular between the several breeding frames (110). [12] Use of an integration device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a beehive (100) according to claim 10 for controlling mites and / or moths.

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