Weak bee colony protector and use method

Abstract

The weak bee colony protector comprises a base, the base comprises a horizontal supporting bottom plate and a mounting vertical plate arranged upwards from one side of the horizontal supporting bottom plate, a strip-shaped shell attached to the mounting vertical plate is arranged at the upper end of the horizontal supporting bottom plate, and an access channel arranged in the length direction of the strip-shaped shell is formed in the strip-shaped shell; the outer side of the strip-shaped shell is inwards provided with an external inlet and outlet communicated with one end of the inlet and outlet channel, the installation vertical plate is provided with an internal inlet and outlet communicated with the end, away from the external outlet, of the inlet and outlet channel, the inner wall of the inlet and outlet channel except the bottom is provided with wavy anti-reflection grooves, and the portion, in the inlet and outlet channel, of the installation vertical plate is provided with a knurled anti-reflection face. The upper end of the strip-shaped shell is downwards provided with an installation guide groove communicated with an external inlet and outlet, a separation piece capable of being pulled out upwards is arranged in the installation guide groove, and the separation piece is provided with a plurality of grating through holes distributed from bottom to top. Weak bee colonies can be effectively prevented from being stolen and escaping, and the survival rate of the bee colonies is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of bee breeding, and particularly relates to a protector for weak bee colonies and a using method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Among the genus Apis, the mainly widely raised ones are the Western honey bee and the Eastern honey bee. In the wild state, they are usually distributed far apart and do not interfere with each other, and the phenomenon of robbing bees rarely occurs. However, with the development of large-scale and intensive breeding, bee colonies are centrally managed. When the nectar source is insufficient, the competition among bee colonies intensifies, resulting in frequent occurrence of honey robbing between the same or different bee colonies. Especially in the season of scarce nectar sources, the honey smell emitted by the beehives is extremely likely to attract the forager bees of other colonies to come and rob, triggering fierce conflicts. The guarding bees fight one-on-one with the robbing bees, causing a large number of worker bees to be injured or killed. The weak colonies are more likely to be lost, and finally are forced to abandon the hive and fly away. If not intervened in time, the robbing bee behavior may spread to the whole field, bringing serious economic losses.

[0003] In addition, there is also interspecific honey robbing behavior between the Western honey bee and the Eastern honey bee. Due to the strong adaptability and organization of the Western honey bee, it often enters the hive of the Eastern honey bee by deception. After sucking enough honey, it leads a large number of robbing bees to invade, surround and kill the queen bee, and plunder the stored honey, resulting in the collapse of the Eastern honey bee colony. Some colonies even rely on other colonies after the death of the queen bee, further disrupting the order of the beehive.

[0004] As an important natural enemy of bees, wasps not only prey on forager bees, but also damage the beehive, plunder larvae, pupae and honey powder, seriously affecting the stability of bee colonies. Wasps of different sizes pose different degrees of harm to bee colonies, especially the large wasps are the most fatal. Although the Eastern honey bee has evolved certain defense mechanisms (such as suffocating wasps by wrapping), it is still at a disadvantage overall; while the Western honey bee lacks effective coping strategies and suffers more serious losses.

[0005] At present, beekeepers mainly rely on ex post remedial measures to control robbing bees, such as isolating the robbing colony or transferring the beehive, but it is often difficult to avoid losses. With the continuous development of the bee industry, the differentiation between strong and weak bee colonies intensifies, and the weak colonies are more likely to become the target of attack, thus inducing full-field robbing bees. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a protection device that can effectively prevent weak bee colonies from being robbed and escaping, so as to improve the survival rate of bee colonies and ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the beekeeping industry. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a protector for weak bee colonies and a using method thereof, which can effectively prevent weak bee colonies from being robbed and escaping, and improve the survival rate of bee colonies.

[0007] The above technical object of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions: A weak colony protector for bees, including a base. The base includes a horizontal support bottom plate and an installation vertical plate arranged upward from one side of the horizontal support bottom plate. The installation vertical plate is used to connect with the beehive. The upper end of the horizontal support bottom plate is provided with a strip-shaped housing that fits against the installation vertical plate. An access channel is provided in the strip-shaped housing along its length direction. One side of the access channel facing the installation vertical plate is open. An external import and export communicating with one end of the access channel is provided on the side of the strip-shaped housing away from the installation vertical plate. An internal import and export communicating with the end of the access channel away from the external exit is provided on the installation vertical plate. Wave-shaped anti-reflection grooves are provided on the inner walls of the access channel except for the bottom. The part of the installation vertical plate in the access channel is provided with a knurled anti-reflection surface. An installation guide groove communicating with the external import and export is opened downward from the upper end of the strip-shaped housing. A separable sheet that can be pulled out upward is provided in the installation guide groove. The separable sheet is provided with a plurality of grid through-holes distributed from bottom to top. The lower end of the lowermost grid through-hole is open. The height of the grid through-hole is 3.9±0.4mm or 4.7±0.4mm.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solutions,

[0009] The further setting of the present invention is: A bee take-off and landing platform is provided outward at the position of the external import and export on the horizontal support bottom plate.

[0010] The further setting of the present invention is: Installation sheets are provided outward on the outer edges of the horizontal support bottom plate and the installation vertical plate. Each installation sheet is provided with an installation hole.

[0011] The further setting of the present invention is: An import and export gentle slope that gradually decreases toward the installation vertical plate is provided at the internal import and export on the horizontal support bottom plate.

[0012] The present invention also discloses a usage method of the weak colony protector for bees. Align the base with the beehive for installation, make the internal import and export align with the nest entrance of the beehive, and fix the protector outside the beehive nest door; For an Apis cerana beekeeping farm where only Apis cerana exists in the surrounding area, there is no need to insert the separable sheet; For an Apis cerana beekeeping farm where there are Apis mellifera or wasps in the surrounding environment, it is necessary to insert a special Apis cerana separable sheet with a grid through-hole height of 3.9±0.4mm in the installation guide groove; For an Apis mellifera beekeeping farm where only Apis mellifera exists in the surrounding area, there is no need to insert the separable sheet; For an Apis mellifera beekeeping farm where there are wasps in the surrounding environment, it is necessary to insert a special Apis mellifera separable sheet with a grid through-hole height of 4.7±0.4mm in the installation guide groove; When transferring the bee farm, insert the end of the isolation sheet without grid through-holes into the installation guiding groove to block the external inlet and outlet of the weak bee colony protector, keeping the bees inside the beehive. After arriving at the new site, insert the end of the isolation sheet with grid through-holes into the installation guiding groove and install it at the external inlet and outlet of the weak bee colony protector, allowing the bees to enter and exit the honeycomb.

[0013] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: First, when the nectar sources in the surrounding environment cannot meet the needs of the bee farm, the possibility of relatively weak bee colonies being attacked increases. In such a state, actively install a weak bee colony protector at the entrance of the beehive. For an Apis cerana bee farm where only Apis cerana exists in the surrounding area, only installing the bee protector body composed of a base and a strip-shaped housing can prevent other Apis cerana bees from attacking the protected colony, achieving the purpose of preventing mutual robbing between Apis cerana colonies; for a bee farm where only Apis mellifera exists in the surrounding area, only installing the bee protector body composed of a base and a strip-shaped housing can prevent other Apis mellifera bees from attacking the protected colony, achieving the purpose of preventing mutual robbing between Apis mellifera colonies. Second, when the nectar sources in the surrounding environment cannot meet the needs of the bee farm, the possibility of relatively weak bee colonies being attacked increases. In such a state, actively install a weak bee colony protector at the entrance of the beehive. For an Apis cerana bee farm where there are also Apis mellifera or wasps in the surrounding area, on the basis of installing the bee protector body composed of a base and a strip-shaped housing, an Apis cerana special isolation sheet also needs to be installed. Since the height H of the isolation grid for Apis cerana is 3.9 ± 0.4 mm, which is greater than the chest height of Apis cerana worker bees and less than the chest heights of Apis mellifera queens and wasps, it allows Apis cerana worker bees to pass through, while preventing Apis cerana queens, Apis mellifera worker bees and wasps from passing through, effectively preventing Apis mellifera and wasps from entering the Apis cerana honeycomb and causing harm to the Apis cerana colony, and also preventing the Apis cerana colony from escaping. For an Apis mellifera bee farm with Apis cerana in the surrounding area, as long as the weak bee colony protector body composed of a base and a strip-shaped housing is installed at the hive entrance, it can effectively prevent Apis cerana from entering the beehive interior.

[0014] Third, for a bee farm with wasp damage to Apis mellifera, install the bee protector body composed of a base and a strip-shaped housing at the entrance of the honeycomb, and then install an Apis mellifera special isolation sheet in the isolation sheet guiding groove at the front end of the bee protector body. Since the height H of the isolation grid for Apis mellifera is 4.7 ± 0.4 mm, which is greater than the chest height of Apis mellifera worker bees and less than the chest heights of Apis mellifera queens and wasps, it allows Apis mellifera worker bees to pass through, while preventing Apis mellifera queens and wasps from passing through, effectively preventing wasps from entering the Apis mellifera honeycomb and causing harm to the Apis mellifera colony, and also preventing the Apis mellifera colony from escaping. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 Isometric assembly drawing of the beehive-mounted type of the present invention; Figure 2 Isometric drawing of the beehive-mounted type base of the present invention; Figure 3 Isometric drawing of the beehive-mounted type strip-shaped housing of the present invention; Figure 4 Isometric drawing of the separator sheet of the present invention; Figure 5 Cross-sectional view after installation of the present invention.

[0016] In the figure: 1, base; 11, horizontal support bottom plate; 12, installation vertical plate; 13, bee take-off and landing platform; 14, installation sheet; 15, installation hole; 16, internal inlet and outlet; 17, knurled anti-reflection surface; 2, strip-shaped housing; 21, access channel; 22, external inlet and outlet; 23, wavy anti-reflection groove; 24, installation guide groove; 3, separator sheet; 31, grid through-hole; 4, beehive. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0019] In addition, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or hanging, but may be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but may be slightly inclined.

[0020] In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "set", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0021] Example, refer to Figures 1-5 A weak colony protector for bees and its usage method, including a base 1, see Figure 2, the base 1 includes a horizontal support bottom plate 11 and an installation vertical plate 12 that is arranged upward from one side of the horizontal support bottom plate 11. The installation vertical plate 12 is used to connect with the beehive 4. One end of the front side of the horizontal support bottom plate 11 is provided with an outwardly extending bee takeoff and landing platform 13. Three mounting pieces 14 are arranged outwardly on the outer sides of the horizontal support bottom plate 11, and one mounting piece 14 is arranged outwardly on the outer side of the installation vertical plate 12. Each mounting piece 14 is provided with a mounting hole 15.

[0022] The upper end of the horizontal support bottom plate 11 is provided with a strip-shaped outer shell 2 that fits against the installation vertical plate 12, as shown in Figure 3 , an access channel 21 is provided in the strip-shaped outer shell 2 along its length direction. The access channel 21 is open on the side facing the installation vertical plate 12. An external inlet / outlet 22 that communicates with one end of the access channel 21 is provided at the position of the bee takeoff and landing platform 13 on the side of the strip-shaped shell away from the installation vertical plate 12. The installation vertical plate 12 is provided with an internal inlet / outlet 16 that communicates with the end of the access channel 21 away from the external outlet. The horizontal support bottom plate 11 is provided with an inlet / outlet slope that gradually decreases towards the installation vertical plate 12 at the position of the internal inlet / outlet 16. The slope structure of the internal inlet / outlet 16 facilitates the removal of the waste in the hive by the bees.

[0023] A number of wavy anti-reflection grooves 23 are provided on the inner walls of the access channel 21 except for the bottom. A knurled anti-reflection surface 17 is provided on the part of the installation vertical plate 12 inside the access channel 21. The anti-reflection structure ensures that the light entering the channel from the external inlet / outlet 22 of the bees does not reflect, and its brightness is significantly lower than that of the external environment. A dark and narrow access channel for the bee colony is constructed between the hive entrance of the beehive 4 and the external environment. This dark and narrow channel provides sufficient defensive depth for the bee colony. Bees in the dark state can clearly see the size, shape, and state of animals in a relatively brighter state; when animals such as bees enter a relatively dark and unfamiliar environment from a bright environment, they see darkness and cannot clearly see the size, shape, and state of the objects and animals in the dark environment. Therefore, the bees in the dark environment will launch sudden and fatal attacks on the intruders from a brighter environment. Therefore, this dark and narrow channel plays a role of "one man guarding the pass, ten thousand men cannot get through". It makes the intruders not dare to easily enter the dark space. The waveform structure of the wavy anti-reflection grooves 23 facilitates the hiding and sudden attack of the defensive bees on the intruders, making the foreign intruders more afraid to enter. The warning sounds emitted by the defensive bees hiding in the dark can also scare away the intruders.

[0024] An installation guide groove 24 that communicates with the external inlet / outlet 22 is provided downward from the upper end of the strip-shaped shell. A removable isolation sheet 3 is arranged in the installation guide groove 24. The isolation sheet 3 is provided with a plurality of grid through holes 31 distributed from bottom to top. The lower end of the lowermost grid through hole 31 is open, and the height of the grid through hole 31 is 3.9 ± 0.4 mm or 4.7 ± 0.4 mm.

[0025] When observing wild bee nests, it is found that when the external light can directly shine on the bee cluster inside the nest, the bee colony is extremely vulnerable to attacks from other bees, wasps and other animals. Strong colonies have a certain defensive ability, while weak colonies have a low defensive ability and are easily invaded by other bees, wasps and other animals into the nest, and the honey is stolen and the pupae are eaten. When the external light cannot directly shine on the bee cluster inside the nest and the bees need to pass through a dark and narrow passage to reach the bee cluster when returning to the nest, no situation of the bee colony being stolen is found, and it is not easy to breed wax moths. It is this dark and narrow passage that provides sufficient defensive depth for the bee colony. This is because bees in the dark state can clearly see the size, shape and state of animals in a relatively brighter state; when bees first enter a relatively dark and unfamiliar environment from a bright environment, they see darkness and cannot see the size, shape and state of objects and animals in the dark environment. Therefore, bees in the dark environment will launch sudden and fatal attacks on invaders from a brighter environment. Therefore, invaders do not dare to easily enter the dark space. This discovery provides a theoretical and practical basis for the present invention.

[0026] The present invention is used for bee breeding and is specifically designed according to the biological characteristics of bees. When the nectar sources in the surrounding environment of the apiary cannot meet the needs of the apiary, a bee weak colony protector is actively installed at the entrance of the hive 4 of the relatively weak bee colony. Corresponding measures are taken to effectively protect the bee colony under the following conditions: For an apiary of Apis cerana where only Apis cerana exists in the vicinity, the internal inlet and outlet 16 of the bee weak colony protector body is aligned with the entrance of the hive 4, and the bee weak colony protector body is fixed on the hive 4. The wavy anti-reflection groove 23 and the knurled anti-reflection surface 17 make the light intensity in the passage significantly lower than that of the external environment, providing a dark and narrow passage for the bee colony to enter and exit the hive outside the hive 4. This dark and narrow passage provides sufficient defensive depth for the bee colony. See Figure 1 the assembly drawing of Figure 5 and the cross-sectional view of For an Apis cerana apiary where Apis mellifera or wasps exist in the surrounding environment, on the basis of installing the main body of the weak colony protector for bees, it is also necessary to install a special separator for Apis cerana (the height of the grid through-hole 31 is 3.9±0.4 mm) in the guide groove of the separator 3 of the main body of the weak colony protector for bees. After installing the special separator for Apis cerana, Apis mellifera worker bees and wasps that are larger in size than Apis cerana worker bees are blocked outside the separator 3, and the fighting occurs outside the hive door, and there is no situation where the weak colony is invaded by bees from other colonies into the hive; for the weak colonies of Apis cerana with a tendency to swarm, the Apis cerana queen bee is blocked inside the separator 3, preventing the Apis cerana from swarming out.

[0027] For an Apis mellifera apiary where only Apis mellifera exists in the surrounding area, align the internal inlet and outlet 16 of the main body of the weak colony protector for bees with the hive entrance of the weak colony hive 4, and fix the main body of the weak colony protector for bees on the hive 4. The wavy anti-reflection groove 23 and the knurled anti-reflection surface 17 make the light intensity in the channel significantly lower than that of the external environment, providing a dark and narrow passage for the bee colony to enter and exit the hive outside the hive door of the hive 4. This dark and narrow passage provides sufficient defensive depth for the bee colony. See Figure 1 the assembly drawing of and Figure 5 the cross-sectional view of. The waveform structure of the anti-reflection structure of the wavy anti-reflection groove 23 is convenient for guard bees to hide, making foreign invaders feel more frightened and less likely to enter. After installing the weak colony protector, the fighting among Apis mellifera occurs outside the hive door. Especially in the case of mutual robbing between strong colonies in the apiary, the weak colonies of Apis mellifera equipped with the weak colony protector for bees are not invaded by bees from other colonies into the hive, achieving the purpose of effectively protecting the weak colonies of Apis mellifera from being invaded by strong colonies of Apis mellifera into the hive.

[0028] For an Apis mellifera apiary where wasps exist in the surrounding environment, on the basis of installing the main body of the weak colony protector for bees, it is also necessary to install a special separator for Apis mellifera (the height of the grid through-hole 31 is 4.7±0.4 mm) in the guide groove of the separator 3 of the main body of the weak colony protector for bees. After installing the special separator for Apis mellifera, wasps with a chest height greater than that of Apis mellifera worker bees are blocked outside the separator 3, and the fighting occurs outside the hive door, and there is no situation where the weak colony is invaded by wasps into the hive; for the weak colonies of Apis mellifera with a tendency to swarm, the Apis mellifera queen bee is blocked inside the separator 3, preventing the Apis mellifera from swarming out.

[0029] After a large number of nectar and pollen source plants in the surrounding environment bloom and secrete nectar, the weak colony protector for bees can be removed to facilitate the bees to carry out foraging work; after the bee colony becomes stronger from weaker, the weak colony protector for bees can also be removed as appropriate under the condition of no threat from wasps.

[0030] When the apiary is relocated, insert the end of the isolation piece 3 without the grid through holes 31 into the installation guide groove 24 to block the external inlet and outlet 22 of the weak colony protector for bees, confining the bees inside the beehive 4. After arriving at the new location, insert the end of the isolation piece 3 with the grid through holes 31 into the installation guide groove 24 and install it at the external inlet and outlet 22 of the weak colony protector for bees, allowing the bees to enter and exit the honeycomb.

[0031] This specific embodiment is only an interpretation of the present invention and is not a limitation thereof. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art may make modifications to this embodiment without creative contributions as needed, but as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present invention, they are protected by the patent law.

Claims

1. A weak colony protector for bees, comprising a base (1), characterized in that: The base (1) includes a horizontal support bottom plate (11) and a mounting vertical plate (12) arranged upward from one side of the horizontal support bottom plate (11). The mounting vertical plate (12) is used for connecting with the beehive (4). The upper end of the horizontal support bottom plate (11) is provided with a strip-shaped housing (2) that fits against the mounting vertical plate (12). An access channel (21) is provided in the strip-shaped housing (2) along its length direction. One side of the access channel (21) facing the mounting vertical plate (12) is open. An external inlet / outlet (22) communicating with one end of the access channel (21) is provided on the side of the strip-shaped housing away from the mounting vertical plate (12). An internal inlet / outlet (16) communicating with the end of the access channel (21) away from the external outlet is provided on the mounting vertical plate (12). Wave-shaped anti-reflection grooves (23) are provided on the inner walls of the access channel (21) except for the bottom. A knurled anti-reflection surface (17) is provided on the part of the mounting vertical plate (12) within the access channel (21). An installation guiding groove (24) communicating with the external inlet / outlet (22) is provided downward from the upper end of the strip-shaped housing. A separable sheet (3) that can be pulled out upward is provided in the installation guiding groove (24). Multiple grid through-holes (31) distributed from bottom to top are provided on the separable sheet (3). The lower end of the lowermost grid through-hole (31) is open. The height of the grid through-hole (31) is 3.9 ± 0.4 mm or 4.7 ± 0.4 mm.

2. The honeybee weak colony protector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal support bottom plate (11) is provided with a bee take-off and landing platform (13) outward at the position of the external inlet / outlet (22).

3. The honeybee weak colony protector according to claim 1, wherein: Mounting pieces (14) are provided outward on the outer edges of the horizontal support bottom plate (11) and the mounting vertical plate (12). Each mounting piece (14) is provided with a mounting hole (15).

4. A weak colony protector for bees according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inlet / outlet gentle slope gradually decreasing towards the mounting vertical plate (12) is provided on the horizontal support bottom plate (11) at the position of the internal inlet / outlet (16).

5. A method for using a weak colony protector for bees according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Align the base (1) with the beehive (4) for installation, align the internal inlet / outlet (16) with the hive entrance of the beehive (4), and fix the protector outside the hive entrance of the beehive (4); For an Apis cerana beehive where only Apis cerana exists in the surrounding area, there is no need to insert the separable sheet (3); For an Apis cerana beehive where there are Apis mellifera or wasps in the surrounding environment, a special Apis cerana separable sheet (3) with the height of the grid through-hole (31) being 3.9 ± 0.4 mm needs to be inserted into the installation guiding groove (24); For an Apis mellifera beehive where only Apis mellifera exists in the surrounding area, there is no need to insert the separable sheet (3); For an Apis mellifera beehive where there are wasps in the surrounding environment, a special Apis mellifera separable sheet (3) with the height of the grid through-hole (31) being 4.7 ± 0.4 mm needs to be inserted into the installation guiding groove (24); When transferring the beehive, insert the end of the isolation sheet (3) without grid through-holes (31) into the installation guide groove (24) to block the external inlet and outlet (22) of the weak colony protector for bees, confining the bees inside the beehive (4). After arriving at the new location, insert the end of the isolation sheet (3) with grid through-holes (31) into the installation guide groove (24) and install it at the external inlet and outlet (22) of the weak colony protector for bees, allowing the bees to enter and exit the beehive.

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