Revolutionizing Hive IQ: A New Solution for Safe Oxalic Acid Vaporization

Revolutionizing Hive IQ: A New Solution for Safe Oxalic Acid Vaporization

I've often been asked to create a solution for Hive IQ polystyrene bee boxes, similar to the modifications I’ve successfully made for Apimaye colonies. Over the years, I've engineered a few tweaks for Apimaye hives through adapter trays, and now, with the InstantVap 18V units, a simple PTFE insert on the stem has worked quite well. However, Hive IQ’s polystyrene material presents unique challenges due to its lower melting point. Even with a custom PTFE insulator, the heat from the vaporizer's stem and housing can damage these hives almost instantly.

My past experiences with insulated Apimaye hives have been overwhelmingly positive, which makes it frustrating to think that beekeepers investing in Hive IQ colonies might struggle to use oxalic acid vaporization as a treatment method. The thought of even one beekeeper not being able to care for their colonies effectively due to this issue doesn’t sit right with me. Oxalic acid vaporization is an essential tool in the fight against Varroa mites, and every beekeeper should have access to reliable treatment options, no matter the type of hive they use.

Determined to find a solution, I’ve been experimenting with 3D modeling and printing test pieces to validate my idea before moving to sheet metal for a prototype. Initially, I came up with a two-piece bottom board design, but I wasn’t satisfied with it. The assembly process would increase the cost for beekeepers and introduce potential failure points over time. After some rethinking, I landed on a more streamlined, one-piece design for the bottom board.

As you can see, this design includes two protectors per hive, both of which can be secured using standard screws, much like those from Hive IQ. For today’s testing, I’m using placeholder screws, but they perform well enough for the job at hand.

Up close picture of the tray for the Hive IQ hives that will allow them to be treated with an Oxalic Acid Vaporizer

I chose to focus on protecting the middle flap of the Hive IQ box for several key reasons. First, it's the easiest to shield compared to the others, which are tightly surrounded by plastic on both sides. Additionally, the middle flap is the first to fold down when you're handling the hive, making it the most practical spot to reinforce. This positioning allows me to offer optimal protection without overcomplicating the design.

One drawback with this protector is that it may make closing the hive more challenging, especially for beekeepers who frequently move their colonies for pollination services. I believe a simple, temporary solution—such as stuffing some cloth in the entrance—should be enough to keep the bees contained when necessary. However, I’m open to developing a more robust secondary solution in the future if demand arises.

My main priority with this modification is ensuring that Hive IQ users can safely and effectively use oxalic acid vaporization without risking damage to their hives. While I continue to fine-tune this design, I’m confident that it offers a significant improvement for beekeepers using these polystyrene boxes.

Instantvap 18v Oxalic Acid Vaporizer hanging on an Hive IQ hive

Next, I moved on to the weight testing phase. As you can see, I’ve set up an InstantVap Original hanging from the front of the Hive IQ box. Since this was in my office and I didn’t have any honey bees in the hive at the time, I placed some boxes on top to simulate the weight of an active colony. I was pleased with the results—the design held the InstantVap 18V securely while still minimizing contact with the hive itself.

However, there’s one small adjustment I plan to make before finalizing the product. If you look closely, you’ll notice a slight gap between the vaporizer unit and the hive. While the current setup works, that gap could cause the unit to get bumped off more easily, especially during handling. I believe that by shifting the unit slightly closer to the hive, I can make it rest more securely and ensure it stays in place, even under more demanding conditions. You can see the gap I’m referring to here: 

How the instantvap 18v interfaces with the HiveIQ

Fine-tuning these small details is crucial to making sure the final product is both effective and durable for beekeepers who need a reliable solution for oxalic acid vaporization in their Hive IQ colonies.

Once I had that settled, I started experimenting with test fitting the InstantVap 18V Compact unit. To my surprise, I’m quite happy with how this solution turned out. The compact unit slides perfectly into the hive entrance and has excellent traction, thanks to the small spikes on the bottom, which grip into the metal base plate. This added traction ensures that the unit remains stable during vaporization.

For this test, I used 16-gauge cold-rolled steel for the base plate, but future versions will be made from stainless steel for added durability and corrosion resistance. The combination of the compact unit’s design and the secure fit makes it a strong candidate for beekeepers looking for a reliable and hassle-free way to use oxalic acid vaporization on their Hive IQ colonies. I’m excited to move forward with this as part of the final product offering.

Instantvap compact hanging on a Hive IQ colony

As you can see, we had a 4 amp-hour DeWalt battery lying around the shop, so we decided to incorporate it into our testing. The added weight of the battery actually worked to our advantage, as it allowed the small spikes on the compact unit to dig even deeper into the metal base plate, further increasing the stability of the oxalic acid vaporizer on the hive.

This extra weight helped secure the unit in place, ensuring that it stays put during the entire vaporization process, even in less-than-ideal conditions. It’s a small but significant improvement that makes the system more robust and reliable for beekeepers using Hive IQ colonies with the InstantVap 18V. I'm confident that this will be a game-changer for those who need a stable, easy-to-use vaporizer solution for their hives.

I aim to have these refinements finalized and ready for sale on our website by October of 2024. I know many of you have been eagerly waiting for a solution, and I’m working hard to get through development, testing, and production as quickly as possible. Your feedback has been invaluable, and I truly appreciate the patience and support from the beekeeping community.

I welcome any and all replies or comments about this concept. If there’s anything specific you’d like to see or any questions you have, feel free to reach out. I want to ensure that this product meets your needs and makes oxalic acid vaporization in Hive IQ colonies both safe and effective. Stay tuned for updates as we move closer to the launch!

 

 

Comments on this post (1)

  • Sep 27, 2024

    Great stuff! Put me on the list to buy one when it comes out.

    — Frederic Nichols

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