High-tech honey: Manitoba honey farm to test 'smart' beehives

The next time you spread some honey on your toast, it could be coming from a new, high-tech hive.

Manitoba's Durston Honey Farms, based in Dauphin, Man., is set to try out a new made in Manitoba technology that will allow beekeepers to remotely monitor what exactly is happening inside the hives. 

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"People have been putting temperature probes and that sort of thing into beehives before," said Durston Honey Farms co-owner and head apiarist Allan Campbell. "But I believe this is the first time we've ever put something right inside of the honeycomb."

The new 'smart-hives' will be wired up with sensors that will track hive population and health, temperature, weight and more. 

"This will be the first time that I know of that we'll be able to take such a detailed look at things remotely," he said. 

Current process could harm hives 

Currently, beekeepers have to open up and take apart hives in order to check on the health and status of the bees and honeycombs inside. Campbell said that can have a negative effect on the hive for hours and sometimes days afterwards. The new technology will allow he and his crews to check on hives remotely using a laptop computer or tablet. 

Campbell said he's been working with Winnipeg software firm Function Four as well as students at the University of Manitoba to develop the software for about two years now. He hopes to install the first sensors this summer. 

Technology offers better disease monitoring 

"We would be more efficient," he said. "Also it'll allow monitor better for disease and that sort of thing."

Campbell said it will allow for unmatched traceability and also offers beekeepers monitoring for diseases. He believes with temperature control features, pests such as Varroa mites, which attack honey bees, can be controlled chemical-free. 

Durston Honey Farms currently operates about 3,500 hives between operations in Manitoba and British Columbia. Campbell isn't sure yet if he'll install sensors in every one of his hives, saying it depends on how much is costs to produce the technology.  

But he is excited to be on the leading edge of what could be a new trend in beekeeping world-wide. 

"It's absolutely astounding," he said. "Just the chance of a lifetime to be on the forefront of this."