Protocol 2 — live bee collection (mandatory)

Collect ~40 live worker bees from the centre of the brood nest for laboratory testing in Lublin.

Materials

• Queen transport cages (1 sample = ~4 cages = 40 workers), or
• A container with ventilation holes no larger than 3 mm
• Sugar candy placed in each cage/container — bees must have access to food
• Disposable gloves

Cages must be clean

Cages must be previously disinfected or factory-new.

Procedure

1. Select brood frames from the centre of the nest — bees from these combs are representative of the colony.
2. Collect ~40 live worker bees.
3. Place the bees in transport cages (~10 workers per cage = 4 cages) or in a container with ventilation holes.
4. Make sure the bees have access to sugar candy in the container.

Collection deadline

Live bee samples must be collected within 7 days of installing the sensors.

Register the sample in the app

1. In the Apisense app: add → register sample → collection date → sample type = live bees.
2. The app generates a unique test code assigned to this colony.
3. Write the generated code on each cage/container (with a permanent marker). Mark all 4 cages from a single hive with the same code.

Shipping

Bees must be shipped alive. Please pay special attention to the following points:

• Ship bees in queen transport cages (or other containers that allow air access) along with a piece of sugar candy.
• Place approximately 10 bees in each cage. For each hive (sensor), prepare 4 cages — 40 bees in total.
• Label each cage with the test code generated in the Apisense app during sample registration.
• Ship samples Monday to Thursday via Poczta Polska (estimated cost PLN 20–30) or a courier service.

Poczta Polska — apiaries in Poland only

Shipments of live bees via Poczta Polska may only be sent by apiary owners located in Poland.

Add this sample to the package described in Shipping samples. Bees should reach the laboratory alive — choose a service that ensures fast delivery on business days.