Vacuum Device for Beehive Beetle Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling small hive beetles in beehives are ineffective and often involve the use of chemical insecticides, which can harm bees and the environment.

Innovation Solution

A portable, battery-operated vacuum device specifically designed to remove small hive beetles from beehives without damaging the honeycomb or harming bees. The device includes a collection tube for targeted removal and a filter to prevent beetles from entering the vacuum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical insecticides are used to kill small hive beetles, then beetle control effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and honey contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeetle control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm and honey contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical insecticides with a mechanical vacuuming system. The vacuum device mechanically removes beetles, eggs, and larvae from the hive through suction, eliminating the need for chemical substances that contaminate honey and harm the environment, while still achieving effective beetle control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum device extracts and removes beetles, eggs, and larvae from the hive environment. By physically taking out the pests through the collection tube and storing them in a collection container, the system achieves beetle control without introducing harmful chemicals into the hive or environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If strong suction is used to remove beetles, then beetle removal efficiency is improved, but damage to honeycomb structure and harm to bees increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeetle removal efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to honeycomb and harm to bees

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum device operates at a controlled suction level that is optimized to remove beetles, eggs, and larvae effectively while remaining gentle enough to avoid damaging the honeycomb structure or harming the bees. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve high beetle removal efficiency without causing collateral damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If oil traps and beetle sheets are used to control beetles, then chemical usage is reduced, but control effectiveness and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical usage reductionVSAvoidbeetle control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive trapping methods (oil traps and beetle sheets) with an active mechanical vacuuming system. The vacuum device can actively locate and remove beetles, eggs, and larvae from hard-to-reach areas within the hive, providing reliable and comprehensive control without relying on chemical substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The vacuum device effectively removes small hive beetles, eggs, and larvae from beehives without using chemicals, thereby protecting the bees and the environment while providing a more reliable method of control.

Implementation Method 1

The vacuum is configured to create enough suction to pull in small hive beetles but not enough that the wall of the honeycomb is damaged. Further, the suction is not strong enough to harm the bees that are close to the end of the collection tube.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

A filter can be disposed between the collection container inlet and the collection container outlet to prevent small hive beetles from entering the vacuum and causing damage to the vacuum.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

In some embodiments, the vacuum hose can have an in-line air filter disposed between the vacuum and the collection container. The filter is designed to catch debris that is pulled through the collection chamber before the debris enters and causes damage to the vacuum.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12310351B1Insect collection device

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 LUCAS SCOTT

AI summary

A device and method for removing insects, specifically small hive beetles, from a beehive without harming the hive or the bees. The device includes a collection tube, a collection chamber, a vacuum, and a power source. The vacuum is fluidly connected to the collection tube such that the vacuum creates suction at the entrance to the collection tube. A user may insert the tip of the collection tube into the individual cells of a beehive to remove any pest insects from the cells of the hive. Further, a user may remove any pests from the corners and surfaces surrounding the hive. The device is configured to create an appropriate amount of suction to remove the pests without damaging the structure of the hive or harming the bees therein.