Helpdesk

Temperature 

A temperature sensor is connected to the BEEP base through a cable, and measures temperature at the intervals in which the BEEP base turns on. The temperature sensor can be placed either in the brood box, on top, or between the mid-frames. This allows you to measure the heat radiating from the brood nest. If the hive has several brood boxes, and there is a queen excluder, keep the temperature sensor in the box with the queen. If there is no queen excluder, keep the sensor in the top brood box. 

Importance of sensor location

You can place the sensor anywhere you want and thereby need to consider what you can conclude from the resulting data. Two examples: 

1. You place it in the brood nest between frames or even in the wax in the frame. You will measure the brood temperature which is kept at a constant level by the bees. When the temperature drops this may be a result of a) the absence of brood altogether (the queen stopped laying eggs) or b) that in that specific position the bees are being born and leaving the comb. 

2. You place it in or near a frame next to the brood. This allows you to monitor the growth of the brood nest.

Microphone

A microphone is connected through a cable to the BEEP base, and measures the sound pattern. The sensor can to be placed at the center of the bottom frame, facing the back of the hive (opposite to the hive entrance). To protect the microphone, place any type of queen cage around it, see image at the right. 

Importance of sensor location
Similarly to the temperature sensor, you need to think about the placement. Close to the hive entrance means recording flight activity but also interference of ambient sounds. The speed at which the colony covers the microphone protection (e.g. queen cage) with wax or propolis may also depend on the location in the hive. The closer to the comb and the higher in the hive, the quicker they will place wax.