Samples: "Honey bee colony health, Spring 2026" program¶
A seasonal honey bee health monitoring program run by Apisense in collaboration with the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. This page contains the complete set of sample collection protocols.
Read before starting
Before collecting samples, assessing Varroa destructor infestation, and performing inspections, read this entire instruction.
Protocols¶
| Protocol | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Varroa destructor monitoring: sugar roll + natural drop on sticky board | Mandatory |
| 2 | Live bee collection: ~40 workers from the brood nest | Mandatory |
| 3 | Brood comb section: 10×10 cm with affected brood | Conditional (contact first) |
| 4 | Dead bees: bottom-board collection | Recommended |
| 5 | Honey sample: one tube of super honey per sensor | Mandatory |
How to register a sample in the app¶
Register every sample in the Apisense app before you send it. The app gives it a Study code.
Who can register a sample
The Samples tab is only on accounts in the research programme. You can register a new sample only in a hive with a VitalSensor. The apiary must have an active Pro AI plan.
- Open the apiary and the hive.
- Select the Samples tab and tap the add button. When the list is empty, the button is Add sample. You can also tap the add button on the hive screen and select Register sample.
- On the Register sample screen, set the Sample collection date. By default it is today.
- Select the Study type, for example Live bees, Dead bees or Honey. The list depends on the apiary location, so it can be different in different apiaries.
- For some types, the app shows How to collect the sample. Read the instructions.
- Tap Generate code. The app shows the Study code and the laboratory address. Send the samples to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Doświadczalna 54, 20-280 Lublin, Poland. Details: Shipping for analysis.
- Write the code on the sample. Send the sample to the address in the app. See Shipping samples.
American foulbrood
The form warns you about sending samples from an infected or surveillance zone for American foulbrood. Read this warning before you send.
Sample status¶
- Pending: the sample is registered but not sent yet.
- Sent: the sample is on its way to the laboratory. After you send it, open the sample and tap Mark as sent.
- Received: the laboratory received the sample.
- Analysed: the laboratory finished the test. The result is in the sample details.
- Cancelled: the sample is cancelled.
You can change the collection date while the sample has the status Pending or Sent.
Test result¶
When the laboratory tests the sample, the result shows in the sample details. The result shows if a disease was detected and includes Lab advice: what to do next. Samples other than bees, e.g. honey, do not get a health verdict, but they can also have lab advice.
How to delete a sample¶
You can delete only a sample with the status Pending. Tap the bin icon next to the sample in the list. You can also open the sample and select Delete in the ⋮ menu. You cannot undo the deletion.
When something does not work¶
- No VitalSensor is attached to this hive.: add a VitalSensor to the hive or pick a hive with a VitalSensor.
- This apiary has no active Pro AI plan: you can register new samples only in an apiary with an active Pro AI plan. Existing samples stay available.
- This sample type is not available for this apiary's location.: pick a different study type or write to the coordinator.
Contact¶
Beekeeper coordinators¶
| Daniel Bajorek | +48 455 506 328 · daniel.bajorek@apisense.ai |
| Olga Janczak | +48 455 505 069 · olga.janczak@apisense.ai |
Sample shipping / scientific supervision¶
Dr Maciej Bryś University of Life Sciences in Lublin ul. Doświadczalna 54, 20-280 Lublin, Poland +48 455 501 920 · maciej.brys@apisense.ai
Technical help and support¶
Shipping samples¶
- Place all labeled samples (with examination codes generated in the Apisense app) together in a cardboard box.
- Ship on a business day (Monday to Thursday) to avoid the package sitting over the weekend.
- Use Poczta Polska (estimated cost PLN 20-30) or a courier service so the samples reach the lab as quickly as possible.
Live bees
Live bee samples require special attention when packing and shipping. See Protocol 2: live bees. Shipments of live bees via Poczta Polska may only be sent by apiary owners located in Poland.
Shipping address:
Dr Maciej Bryś
Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie
ul. Doświadczalna 54
20-280 Lublin
Poland
tel. +48 455 501 920
maciej.brys@apisense.ai