- Joined
- Oct 23, 2018
- Messages
- 138
- Reaction score
- 119
- Location
- Norwich
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 4
I have had a B-Keep monitor (Hostabee) in both my hives this Autumn/Winter. It has been fascinating watching and comparing how both adapt to outside changes and also how they have differed. Firstly, I need to say that the monitors are placed between two frames of brood and luckily both clusters have stayed in the same area. The largest colony hasn't dropped below 30 degrees (32.4 yesterday) since the Autumn but the humidity is currently low, so I am hoping they hold up until the warmer days next week, when they may be able to collect some more water. The other colony is smaller and dropped to non brood temperature of 15 degrees in the first week of January and has remained roughly there. The humidity is however high. Not sure how valid it is, but the monitor calculates roughly how many eggs are being laid according to the relationship between brood temp and humidity The downside is that I have become obsessed with checking on the app each morning and during the day, particularly if one of the readings is hovering at the danger level. My second problem is that I live in a poor reception area and despite having a repeater, the signal has been dropping now and then. I don't think I'll continue with them next year, although I have been intrigued at having an insight as to what goes on inside.
I have uploaded this as a small insight for Cral, although I see most are against these contraptions. I can soon add them to my other experiments/never used items I have accrued. But hey, I enjoyed the experiment.
I have uploaded this as a small insight for Cral, although I see most are against these contraptions. I can soon add them to my other experiments/never used items I have accrued. But hey, I enjoyed the experiment.