Oxalic Acid Vaporization for Hive IQ Boxes: The Hive-IQ InstantVap Adapter Is Here

What follows is the development story from the fall of 2024, kept as written. The sheet-metal prototype in the photos was superseded by the machined aluminum bracket that shipped; the finished product and what it fits are covered in the "Now available" section at the end.

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.

Designing a one-piece bottom board protector

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.

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.

Weight testing with the InstantVap Original

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: