1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a prevention of buildup condensate and mold on the inner surface of the beehives caused by temperature and humidity conditions. In particularly, the invention relates to a beehive climate and moisture control system which prevents freezing air from entering the beehive and balances the temperature and humidity surrounding the cluster.
More particularly, this invention relates to a creation of balancing relationship between the sources of the heat, specially constructed winter ventilation inner cover, ventilation, ability to use the subject of invention at remote apiaries without permanent sources of electrical power.
2. Background Art
As the temperature inside the bee hive reach between 10 and 12° C. bees start to establish cluster. Because there is no air circulation inside the hive, temperatures at different levels of the hive would have tendency to stay different. Cluster can be built, based on bees aspiration toward warmer areas, at higher levels (elevations). As soon as cluster is set up, it is instinctively moving upward. The frames with food, located under the cluster will never be reached by bees, which would resulted by the end or even middle of cold season to lack of food and colony starve to death for that reason.
Excessive moisture within a beehive creates an unhealthy environment for bees during winter time. High humidity promotes decay of the wooden structures, mold growth and may contribute to dysentery and other health problems. During cold periods the bees form a cluster within and around the combs of honey, which supply food when foraging is no longer possible. When bees consume honey from comb frames, they heat up bee cluster only, but not surrounding area. Although the bees produce heat, the temperature inside beehive is essentially at the same temperature as the outside. Bees from the core feed on stored honey and gradually work to the outer layer of the cluster to change places with cold bees. While the bees can survive dry cold alone, a cold wet bee cannot survive.
To protect, bees from excess humidity condensation derived from accumulated moisture drops needs to be prevented in a way that they can drop onto semi-donnant bees. The moisture is accumulated from the heat of metabolism of the living cluster as they feed on stored honey. The small amount of heat generated nevertheless causes vapor to rise and condense upon the first cold surface it contacts.
When air with high water vapor content and relatively high Per Dew point met the surface of the ceiling, walls as well as frames surfaces with lower Per Due Dew point, it is start to condensate on their colder, practically equal to outside temperature surfaces. Large amount of honey, pollen which is organic substances and perfect food source in the bee hive create ideal environment for mold grow. There is a need to keep constantly removing any excessive moister out of the bee hive, but at the same time as much as possible avoiding to cool down the interior of the bee hive, especially cluster surrounding area. That why the main sensing device is not temperature sensor but humidity sensor, which is actually through the level of RH in used air watching two main parameters of humidity and temperature inside the beehive.
A need exists in the current art for an improved beehive climate and moisture control system that may be used during winter time. The present invention solves the problem by a beehive system according to claims 1 to 18.