IR imaging

[gavin]

Here's another thread for a 'Technology' section when I finally get around to a forum rearrangement discussed behind the scenes before Christmas. I'm rather busy at the moment.

An article in Bee Culture by Jerry Bromenshenk on using IR to assess colonies.

http://www.beeculture.com/infrared-t...ny-management/

[The Drone Ranger]

Remember the kids song

"Row,row,row,your boat gently down the stream ...."

That's the backdrop as a read, read, read, my way gently through the page

Then the price got a mention

"If you see a crocodile don't forget to scream"

"AggggggHhhhh!!! how much" ?

Good article though

[fatshark]

You can either add an IR filter or modify a digital SLR to take IR photos (by taking _out_ the filter that usually cuts out IR). The former is easier and much cheaper (about £30 for a filter) but I've no idea whether it's sensitive enough to get the sort of information shown in the pic posted by Gavin.

There think there was a comment on the BKF recently about using a handheld IR thermometer pointed at the crownboard to determine whether the queen was laying (or the colony was brooding, can't remember which) during winter inspections. I seem to remember that 16oC was mentioned but can't remember where I saw it (probably on a "should I treat with OA now thread").

[gavin]

There think there was a comment on the BKF recently about using a handheld IR thermometer pointed at the crownboard to determine whether the queen was laying (or the colony was brooding, can't remember which) during winter inspections.

On the what?!!



http://www.sbai.org.uk/sbai_forum/sh...ll=1#post33685

[fatshark]

6a00d8341c4fe353ef0120a50d529c970b-800wi.jpg

Humble apologies ...

That explains why any amount of searching failed to find the post I was referring to.

My brain is waterlogged, like my apiary ...

anomacts.jpg

[gavin]

And now the rain is back on .... all my apiaries are out of traditional flooding areas but one has a lot of standing water around the hives and another can't be reached when a burn is in spate, as it has been for a while now. Had to feel for the sheep farmer on the radio yesterday describing watching his sheep getting washed away one by one.

Anyway, IR. I'd be surprised if filters were enough to get anything like the images shown but the technology (IR cameras) have come down a lot in price and will probably continue to do so.

[madasafish]

You can either add an IR filter or modify a digital SLR to take IR photos (by taking _out_ the filter that usually cuts out IR). The former is easier and much cheaper (about £30 for a filter) but I've no idea whether it's sensitive enough to get the sort of information shown in the pic posted by Gavin.

There think there was a comment on the BKF recently about using a handheld IR thermometer pointed at the crownboard to determine whether the queen was laying (or the colony was brooding, can't remember which) during winter inspections. I seem to remember that 16oC was mentioned but can't remember where I saw it (probably on a "should I treat with OA now thread").

That was me. 16C.

[Greengage]

I have one of these and while aplying Apibioxal yesterday (It stopped raining at last for a few hours) Measure the temp of the colony one was 4 degrees one was 6 degrees and one was 14 degrees why the big differance I wonder maybe because the last one had more bees, i dont know??
http://buy4less.co.za/shop/infrared-...free-shipping/

[madasafish]

I have one of these and while aplying Apibioxal yesterday (It stopped raining at last for a few hours) Measure the temp of the colony one was 4 degrees one was 6 degrees and one was 14 degrees why the big differance I wonder maybe because the last one had more bees, i dont know??
http://buy4less.co.za/shop/infrared-...free-shipping/

A lot depends on the heat loss. ALL my hives have at least 100mm of roof insulation - and hive cosies (except the poly one which has only a tophat cover to prevent condensation round teh roof seams.) - and I measure the temperature on the crownboard immediately after removing the insulation. The exeternal temperature ambient was c10C at the time..