From the Late Fall NY Bee Wellness Newsletter 2019:

*"Laser for mites Don't throw away your mite shakers yet!*

------The brain child of Hailey Scofield, former student of Heather Mattila
<https://www.wellesley.edu/biology/faculty/mattilah>, Combplex
<https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/11/entrepreneurs-present-beehive-monitoring-technology-dc-policymakers>
uses
laser technology to zap phoretic mites. While the prototype has weight and
temperature sensors too, the battery powered laser directs its multi-angle
beams at mites on the bees when they pass through a round opening in the
corner of the frame. Field studies are planned for 2020. This unique
approach shows great promise but the unit will undergo refinement and
adjustments which takes time and money. A Grow-NY
<https://grow-ny.com/competition-details/> 3rd tier winner (250,000.00)
The frame initially will cost 995.00. Each laser pack (40.00) is good for
about 1000 zaps.
Some beekeepers are hoping for an entrance reducer type laser to prevent
the influx of varroa entering hives in the Fall, which many hives
experience.
Link to Podcast
<https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cDovL2JlZWtlZXBpbmd0b2RheXBvZGNhc3QuY29tL3Jzcw&episode=NGIxZjkwMmNlNGI3NDVjNWExOTNmZGJmNDBhOTUzOWY&hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwjokpTQjIHmAhWquVkKHUGwCCoQieUEegQIARAG&ep=6&at=1574538405555>
by Kim Flottum."-------


The varroa population can be addressed 2 ways: the increase of mites
already in the hive, or the influx of mites in the fall.
My understanding, after talking to Ms. Scofield at the Grow-NY venue, is
that they are committed to this prototype of the laser implementation to
address the in-hive population, and may in the future look at addressing
the problem of  Fall mite migration.  An entrance reducer with a series of
lasers may be more practical.

[image: laser prototype.jpg]



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Pat Bono
NYBeeWellness.org

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