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Bees, borescope and beekeeping

 
pollinator
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So a week ago I started to hives and I would like to see how they are going. Having listened to the book "Song of Increase: Listening to the Wisdom of Honeybees for Kinder Beekeeping and a Better World " by  Jacqueline Freeman and read other beekeeping books. And being new to beekeeping I do not want to open the hive a lot but I do need to see inside the hive.

So Borescope? Adam has one and I think it could be a good tool.




So is this a good but bad idea?

Are there issues anyone can see with this?

So if I get one what should I look for and what things should I avoid?
 
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I haven't used a wireless version but have used one that hooks to the c-port of my phone. They are a great tool for lot's of things.  Less than 20.00 on Amazon. We have actually permanently affixed them to birdhouse along a park trail. We have a UR code that downloads the endoscope program onto a walker's phone, and they can see the current occupants of the birdhouses.
 
gardener & hugelmaster
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I have heard of people doing this & the videos look cool. I'm not sure how one could do a thorough hive inspection with one though. I'd also be concerned about using wireless technology. Bees are sensitive creatures.
 
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Mike Barkley wrote:I'd also be concerned about using wireless technology. Bees are sensitive creatures.


That's what I was about to say. I'd not do wireless anything by bees. I also wouldn't put them by a cell tower, or high tension power lines. They use the earth's magnetic field to navigate, and disrupting that field with electrical sources confuses them. A good metaphor might be trying to drive when the cars all have high beams and spotlights on, very hard to tell where you are going. To me, that's what electrical fields might look like to bees.
 
T Blankinship
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I looked at one that needs an application for mobile phones to run the scope. I am cautious about using a thing that needs a application for mobile phones to run due to mischief-making.

Pearl Sutton wrote:
That's what I was about to say. I'd not do wireless anything by bees. I also wouldn't put them by a cell tower, or high tension power lines. They use the earth's magnetic field to navigate, and disrupting that field with electrical sources confuses them. A good metaphor might be trying to drive when the cars all have high beams and spotlights on, very hard to tell where you are going. To me, that's what electrical fields might look like to bees.



Another issue is a bad actor hacking thought the wireless connection. At my local hardware shop there is a stand alone borescope for about 150. Maybe it is better just to open the hive maybe once a week or less and save the 150 for other projects.
 
Mike Barkley
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I would suggest opening once or twice a month until you know they are progressing well. That will also get you comfortable doing it. After that it doesn't need to be opened as often. The less the better within reason.
 
T Blankinship
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I may be on to something with using a mirror on a stick. Did this today and could see some of the hive but finding the right position to see inside was an issue.  I did get some idea on were the bees were in the hive body. I think this has potential as a tool.
20250512_080633.jpg
Looking at a hive with a mirror on a stick
Looking at a hive with a mirror on a stick
 
Mike Barkley
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Bees tend to start on the middle frames & gradually fill up outwards.
 
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