Selective insect trapping system

A selective insect trapping system including a trap entry portion having a groove formed therein, the groove sized for receiving a small hive beetle, the groove having angled side walls which broaden towards a base of the groove for hindering the small hive beetle from climbing out of the groove, the groove having a depth which prevents the small hive beetle from being able to fly out of the groove. The system further includes a receptacle configured for being connected to the trap entry portion, the receptacle being further configured for receiving and containing the small hive beetle. The trap entry portion has a passageway formed therein for allowing passage of the small hive beetle from the groove of the trap entry portion into the receptacle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a selective insect trapping system, and more particularly to a selective insect trapping system for bee hives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a common destructive pest of honey bee colonies, causing damage to the comb, stored honey and pollen. If a small hive beetle infestation is sufficiently heavy, it may cause honey bees to abandon their hive. The small hive beetles can also be a pest of stored combs, and honey (in the comb) awaiting extraction. Small hive beetles typically enter a bee hive by walking into the hive. Once the small hive beetle is inside the hive, its hard exoskeleton serves as an effective protective barrier against the honey bees. At best, the honey bees are typically only able to harass the small hive beetles into hiding in corners at the top of the hive. However, the small hive beetles are often eventually able to find a way to lay their eggs within the hive. Once the eggs hatch, the beetle larvae damage the hive by burrowing into the honey comb and feeding on the honey and pollen. The primary damage to colonies and stored honey caused by the small hive beetle is through this feeding activity of the larvae. Small hive beetle larvae will typically tunnel through a comb containing stored honey or pollen, damaging or destroying the cappings and the comb. The small hive beetle larvae defecate in honey and the honey becomes discolored from the feces. Activity of the larvae also causes fermentation and a frothiness in the honey, which develops a characteristic odor of decaying oranges. Damage and fermentation cause honey to run out of the combs, creating a mess in hives or extracting rooms. Heavy infestations may cause honey bees to leave the hive, which can result in the rapid collapse of even strong colonies.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a selective insect trapping system for bee hives which hinders small hive beetles from entering a hive and/or captures small hive beetles which have already entered the hive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a selective insect trapping system, including: a trap entry portion having a groove formed therein, the groove sized for receiving a small hive beetle, the groove having angled side walls which broaden towards a base of the groove for hindering the small hive beetle from climbing out of the groove, the groove having a depth which prevents the small hive beetle from being able to fly out of the groove; and a receptacle configured for being connected to the trap entry portion, the receptacle being further configured for receiving and containing the small hive beetle, wherein the trap entry portion has a passageway formed therein for allowing passage of the small hive beetle from the groove of the trap entry portion into the receptacle.

A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a beehive, including: a plurality of panels, at least one of the panels included in the plurality of panels having a beehive entrance formed therein, the beehive entrance sized for allowing honey bees to enter the beehive; a top cover configured for connecting with the panels for forming an enclosure; and a selective insect trapping system including a trap entry portion having a groove formed therein, the groove sized for receiving a small hive beetle, the groove having angled side walls which broaden towards-a base of the groove for hindering the small hive beetle from climbing out of the groove, the groove having a depth which prevents the small hive beetle from being able to fly out of the groove, the selective insect trapping system further including a receptacle configured for being connected to the trap entry portion, the receptacle being further configured for receiving and containing the small hive beetle, the selective insect trapping system configured for at least one of: positioning in front of the entrance to the beehive for hindering access to the entrance for the small hive beetles and for trapping the small hive beetles; positioning at the entrance to the beehive for hindering access to the beehive via the entrance for the small hive beetles and for trapping the small hive beetles; positioning within the entrance to the beehive for hindering access to the beehive via the entrance for the small hive beetles and for trapping the small hive beetles; positioning under the entrance to the beehive for hindering access to the beehive via the entrance for the small hive beetles and for trapping the small hive beetles; and connecting to the top cover of the beehive for trapping the small hive beetles which have accessed an interior area of the beehive, wherein the trap entry portion has a passageway formed therein for allowing passage of the small hive beetle from the groove of the trap entry portion into the receptacle.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is directed to a top cover for a beehive, including: a surface having an aperture formed therein, the aperture sized for allowing passage of a small hive beetle into a top cover passageway formed within an interior of the top cover and for preventing passage of a bee into the top cover passageway; and a selective insect trapping system configured for connection to the top cover for trapping the small hive beetles, the selective insect trapping system including a trap entry portion having a groove formed therein, the groove sized for receiving the small hive beetle, the groove having angled side walls which broaden towards a base of the groove for hindering the small hive beetle from climbing out of the groove, the groove having a depth which prevents the small hive beetle from being able to fly out of the groove, the selective insect trapping system further including a receptacle configured for being connected to the trap entry portion, the receptacle being further configured for receiving and containing the small hive beetle, the trap entry portion having a passageway formed therein for allowing passage of the small hive beetle from the groove of the trap entry portion into the receptacle, wherein the top cover passageway is configured for directing the received small hive beetle towards the trap entry portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally now toFIG. 1, a beehive100in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. For example, the beehive may be a Langstroth hive, a top-bar hive or the like. In a present embodiment, the beehive100includes a plurality of panels102, at least one of the panels included in the plurality of panels having a beehive entrance104formed therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the beehive entrance104is sized for allowing honey bees to enter the beehive100. In further embodiments, the beehive100includes a top cover106, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the top cover being configured for connecting with the panels102for forming an enclosure.

In current embodiments, the beehive100includes a selective insect trapping system108. As shown inFIG. 1, the system108may be configured for being positioned in front of the beehive entrance104for: 1) hindering access to the entrance/entry into the hive via the entrance by small hive beetles (Aethina tumida); and 2) for trapping the small hive beetles. The system108includes a trap entry portion110having a groove112formed therein. In embodiments as shown inFIG. 1, the trap entry portion is positioned in front of the hive entrance104so that small hive beetles and honey bees may walk on the trap entry portion110as they proceed toward the hive entrance104. In present embodiments, the groove112is sized for receiving a small hive beetle. The groove112may be configured so that a typical-sized small hive beetle (ex.—a small hive beetle which is 5.7 mm in length, 3.2 mm in width) cannot walk or jump over the groove, yet, typical-sized honey bees may easily walk over the groove and enter the hive. For example, the groove112may have a width ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 inches at the groove's entry point/groove opening114generally opposite a base116of the groove. Preferably, the groove112has a width of less than 0.14 inches at the groove's entry point/groove opening114generally opposite the base116of the groove. In the present embodiment, the trap entry portion110is positioned in front of the hive entrance104and the groove112of the trap entry portion110guards the hive entrance in such a manner that small hive beetles walking on the trap entry portion110towards the hive entrance are forced to go down into the groove112in order to continue walking towards the hive entrance. In further embodiments, the trap entry portion110may be positioned so that the groove112of the trap entry portion is positioned at or within the hive entrance104for hindering access to the beehive via the entrance104for the small hive beetles and for trapping the small hive beetles. In still further embodiments, the trap entry portion110may be positioned so the groove112of the trap entry portion is positioned under the hive entrance104.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, the groove112has angled side walls118, which angle out from 10 to 40 degrees so that the groove broadens towards the base116(i.e., widens out from top to bottom). Preferably, the angled side walls118angle out from 20 to 30 degrees. Such configuration causes the small hive beetles, once received within the groove112, to follow the crease or angle of the side walls118, thereby hindering small hive beetles from climbing out of the groove. (i.e., exiting the groove via the groove opening/entry point114). In further embodiments, the groove112is of a sufficiently shallow depth (i.e., is sufficiently confining) that the small hive beetles, once received within the groove, cannot fully spread/extend their wings and thus, cannot fly out of the groove opening114. For instance, the depth of the groove112may be less than 0.3 inches, preferably 0.15 through 0.25 inches.

In present embodiments, the selective insect trapping system108further includes a receptacle120configured for being connected to the trap entry portion110. In current embodiments, the receptacle120is further configured for receiving and containing small hive beetles. For example, the receptacle120may be a bottle containing a liquid, such as oil, for drowning small hive beetles which are received by the receptacle. In exemplary embodiments, the trap entry portion110has a passageway122formed therein for allowing passage of the small hive beetle from the groove112of the trap entry portion110into the receptacle120. For instance, in embodiments as shown inFIG. 1, the base116of the groove112may have an aperture124formed therein sized for allowing a small hive beetle received within the groove to descend into and be received by a trap chamber126. The trap chamber126may include angled side walls128and a base130and may further be configured with dimensions similar to the groove112described above for preventing small hive beetles from climbing up and out of the top trap chamber126. In additional embodiments, the base130of the trap chamber126may have one or more apertures132formed therein sized for allowing the small hive beetle received within the trap chamber126to enter the receptacle120.

In further embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the passageway122allows for direct passage of small hive beetles from the groove112into the receptacle120via one or more apertures134formed in the base116of the groove, said apertures134sized for allowing passage of the small hive beetle into the receptacle. In present embodiments, the passageway122allows for passage of the small hive beetle into the receptacle120via a funnel-shaped tube133connected to the trap entry portion110. An external collar apparatus135may be connected with the funnel-shaped tube133, the funnel-shaped tube and external collar apparatus configured and sized for guiding the small hive beetles into the receptacle120and hindering the small hive beetles from flying out of the receptacle. For instance, the funnel-shaped tube133may be configured with an opening measuring from ⅜ inch to ½ inch.

In a present embodiment, the beehive100includes an angled top barrier entrance wall137mounted above the hive entrance104. In further embodiments, the beehive100includes a plurality of angled side barrier entrance walls138mounted at the sides of the hive entrance104. In exemplary embodiments, the top and side barrier entrance walls (128,130) are angled or tilted towards small hive beetles which are approaching the hive entrance104from outside of the hive100. For example, the top and side barrier entrance walls may be positioned at angles from 10 to 40 degrees, and preferably from 20 to 30 degrees. Upon contacting the barrier entrance walls (137,138), due to the angled positioning of said walls, the small hive beetles will characteristically tend not to climb the wall, but rather will follow the “crease” of the angle, which leads them away from the hive entrance104. Therefore, the top and side barrier entrance walls (137,138) may serve to hinder entry of small hive beetles which may be attempting to fly into the beehive100via the beehive entrance104.

In further embodiments, the groove112and/or trap chamber126of the trap entry portion110may be constructed or contoured to include at least one overhang lip or partial ceiling140at the entry point114of the groove112to further deter small hive beetles received within the groove from flying out of the groove via the groove opening/entry point114of the groove.

In current embodiments, the beehive100may include an awning or a small roof142mounted above the hive entrance104, the angled top barrier entrance wall137, and the trap entry portion110for keeping debris and rain out of the angled top barrier entrance wall and the groove112of the trap entry portion. Further, the awning or small roof142may serve as an extra barrier of protection for preventing small hive beetles from flying into the hive100via the hive entrance104.

In additional embodiments, the beehive100may include a screened enclosure144(as shown inFIG. 6) for deterring pests, such as small hive beetles and wax moths, from flying into the hive entrance104. The screened enclosure144includes a roof146and side panels148and is positionable for at least substantially covering the hive entrance104and the trap entry portion110including the groove112of the trap entry portion, thereby guarding against dust/debris from entering the hive100. The screened enclosure144may be configured with a screened enclosure exit150, such as a funnel-shaped opening, sized for allowing honey bees to fly out of the enclosure. For example, the screened enclosure exit150may be ½ inch to ¾ inch in diameter. The screened enclosure144may further be configured with a lower opening or screened enclosure entrance152sized to allow honey bees and small hive beetles to walk into the screened enclosure, on the trap entry portion110, towards the groove112of the trap entry portion and also towards the hive entrance104. For instance, the screened enclosure entrance152may be ½ inch to ¾ inch in diameter. The small hive beetles and wax moths are typically drawn to heat and scents which emanate from a beehive. When implementing the screened enclosure144of the present invention, heat and scents may emanate from the screened enclosure across at least a substantial portion of its surface area. Thus, small hive beetles and wax moths may be drawn to the screened enclosure144in general, and may have difficulty pinpointing the exact location of the hive entrance104. In additional embodiments, the screened enclosure exit150and/or the screened enclosure entrance152may further include top and side angled barrier entrance walls configured as described above for further deterring small hive beetles and wax moths from entering the hive entrance104.

Referring generally toFIG. 3, at least one of the plurality of panels of the beehive100may have one or more ventilation apertures154formed therethrough. Typically, such ventilation apertures generally range from ¼ inch to ⅝ inch in diameter. Preferably, the ventilation apertures range from ⅜ inch to ½ inch in diameter. In a present embodiment, each of the one or more ventilation apertures154may be configured with a guard device156for guarding the ventilation aperture and deterring flying pests, such as small hive beetles, from entering the hive100via the ventilation aperture154. In an exemplary embodiment, the guard device156includes a circular, angled wall configured for being placed/mounted around the ventilation aperture154of the beehive100. In an exemplary embodiment, the circular, angled wall forms a first funnel158, having a broad end and a narrow end, the broad end oriented away from the hive. The guard device156further includes a second circular, angled wall, which forms a second funnel160, having a broad end and a narrow end, the broad end of the second funnel160being oriented towards the hive100and being placed over the first funnel158. The narrow end of the second funnel160is sized to hinder small hive beetles from entering the second funnel and proceeding towards the ventilation aperture154. For instance, the narrow end of the second funnel may have a ⅜ to ½ inch diameter. In further embodiments, the guard device156may be unitary in its construction.

Referring generally toFIG. 5, the beehive100may further include a mounting board162having a bee escape164recessed into the mounting board and configured therethrough. For instance, the bee escape164may have a ¼ inch to ⅜ inch diameter. Preferably, the bee escape has a 5/16 inch diameter. Further, the bee escape164may be guarded by top and side angled barrier entrance walls configured as described above for hindering small hive beetles from accessing the bee escape164.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the selective insect trapping system108may be configured for connection to and/or incorporation with the top cover106of the beehive100for trapping small hive beetles which have accessed the interior area200of the beehive. For instance, if small hive beetles do manage to enter the hive100, typically they hide in small crevices, or corners near the top of the hive, where the honey bees have difficulty bothering them. In a present embodiment, the top cover106includes a surface166, such as an underside surface, having one or more apertures168formed therein, each aperture168being sized for allowing passage of a small hive beetle, but preventing passage of a honey bee, into one or more top cover passageways170formed within an interior172of the top cover. For example, each aperture168may be approx. ⅛ to ¼ inches in diameter. In the present embodiment, the top cover passageway170is configured for directing and allowing passage of a received small hive beetle towards the trap entry portion110. In exemplary embodiments, the selective insect trapping system108is configured as described above and functions to trap small hive beetles by receiving the small hive beetle into the groove112of the trap entry portion110, and into the receptacle120of the trapping system108via the passageway122of the trap entry portion110, as also described above. Preferably, the apertures168are formed in the top cover106near a perimeter of the top cover to provide a shorter distance/path between the apertures and the trapping system108. In additional embodiments, the surface166having the aperture(s)168formed therein, may further be constructed with at least one of recesses, walls and partitions for directing the small hive beetle towards the aperture.

In an exemplary embodiment, the top cover106of the present invention is sized to create a larger cavity between top bars, for example, of a top-bar hive, and the top cover106, than occurs with conventional beehive covers. For instance, the top cover106of the present invention may be sized and constructed to allow a space measuring from ¼ inches to ⅜ inches from the top bars to the underside surface166of the top cover. Preferably, the top cover106of the present invention may be sized and constructed to allow a space measuring 5/16 inches from the top bars to the underside surface166of the top cover. The extra space allows honey bees to patrol the space between the top bars of the hive and the top cover, thus deterring small hive beetles from hiding near the top of the hive. In further embodiments, the top cover106may include rounded or “filleted” corners174which may protrude into/be received by the beehive so as to eliminate corner hiding spaces for small hive beetles which have entered the hive.

In further embodiments, an electronic insect control system176configured for killing insects, such as small hive beetles and wax moths, may be incorporated into the one or more of the top cover passageways170, recesses, walls or partitions of the top cover106. The electronic insect control system176may include one or more electrodes (ex.—positive plate, negative plate). In alternative embodiments, the electronic insect control system176may be built into or positioned proximally to the angled top barrier entrance wall137and/or the angled side barrier entrance walls138mounted above/at the sides of the hive entrance104. For instance, the angled top barrier entrance wall137and/or angled side barrier entrance walls138may guide small hive beetles toward the electronic insect control system176. In further embodiments, the electronic insect control system176may be built into or proximal to angled barrier entrance walls which guard the bee escape164or may be built into or proximal to the guard device156, which guards the ventilation aperture154. In still further embodiments, the electronic insect control system176may be positioned within the groove112for killing/stunning beetles, therefore allowing the stunned/killed beetles to fall into the receptacle120and drown/collect in the oil. In other embodiments, the electronic insect control system176may be positioned so that when insects are killed/stunned (ex.—“zapped”), the dead/stunned insects will “fall back” into the interior of the beehive100, where they may be removed from the hive100by the bees. In current embodiments, the electronic insect control system176may generate an electrostatic charge for stunning or killing the small hive beetles. The electrostatic charge generated by the electronic insect control system176may be generated via battery power, solar power or the like. The electrostatic charge generated by the electronic insect control system176may be continuous, pulsating or triggered by the difference in resistance detected when a small hive beetle contacts both positive and negative plates of the electronic insect control system176. In additional embodiments, the electronic insect control system176may be used in addition to the selective insect trapping system108connected with the top cover106or may be used as the sole mechanism for trapping insects (ex.—small hive beetles) which have accessed the interior of the beehive100(i.e., in place of using the insect trapping system108connected to the top cover106).

In embodiments in which the groove112of the trap entry portion110is positioned under the hive entrance104, as shown inFIG. 7, the trap entry portion110may be separated from the beehive's interior200by a screen202, such as a wire mesh screen. For instance, the wire mesh screen202may have apertures sized (ex.—0.8 inches in diameter) so that the small hive beetles cannot pass through it, yet mites within the hive100may fall through it and out of the interior area200of the hive100into the oil-containing receptacle120. The screen202may also allow air/scents from the beehive's interior200to emanate from the hive100, thereby drawing the small hive beetles towards the scents, and thus, towards the trap entry portion110, and the groove112. In embodiments as shown inFIG. 7, the side walls118of groove112may be contoured or ramped to promote directing of the small hive beetles into the groove112. Further, the groove112may be configured to direct the small hive beetles, via the passageway122to the oil receptacle120(ex.—a pan or pool of oil). Still further, the electronic insect control system176may be established in the passageway122for stunning/killing the small hive beetles via an electrostatic charge. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the electronic insect control system176is established in proximity to the oil containing-receptacle120, so that the stunned/killed small hive beetles may fall into the oil.