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The temperature in the hive is close to the outside temperature

Plan: Apisense PRO AI

When the temperature in the hive stays close to the outside temperature for a long time, it is possible that the colony does not heat the brood nest. This is a suspicion, not a diagnosis. Inspect the hive as soon as possible.

How to compare the temperature in the hive and outside

  1. Open the hive screen.
  2. Select the Hive state tab.
  3. In the Conditions card, tap the Inside hive temperature row. You see the chart.
  4. Tap the Outside temperature row. This row shows only when the hive has a Scale.
  5. Select the 7 d range and compare the two charts.

A single reading does not tell much. It is important if the temperature in the hive follows the outside temperature for a long time.

What to check first

  1. Make sure that the data is current. In the hive settings, in the Devices section, look at the Last report of the VitalSensor. An old reading tells nothing about the colony today.
  2. Make sure that the VitalSensor is in the brood nest, on a brood frame. When the frame with the VitalSensor is outside the brood nest, the reading can be different from the brood nest temperature.
  3. Inspect the hive. Only an inspection can confirm that the colony is alive and has a queen.

In winter, the colony often raises no brood. Then the bees make a tight cluster. In a large hive, the cluster can be far from the VitalSensor. Then the reading can be low and close to the outside temperature, also in a healthy colony. In winter, monitor the trend for some days and do not assess the colony from one reading.

When the colony died or the hive is empty

  1. Remove the VitalSensor from the hive.
  2. Disconnect the VitalSensor from the hive in the app: hive settings → Devices section → Disconnect.
  3. Before you put the VitalSensor into a different hive, write to us at bee@apisense.ai. A VitalSensor from a hive with a dead colony can move diseases to a different hive.

The measurement history stays in the old hive.

When the colony is alive but has no queen

Keep the VitalSensor in the hive. Its data shows if the colony becomes strong again.

Good to know

  • The app does not give norms for the brood nest temperature.
  • The app does not find a queenless colony itself.

See also