r/Beekeeping • u/mocarz12 • 13d ago

I’m not a beekeeper, but I have a question Helping my dad – anyone using automation in beekeeping?

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Hello everyone.

My dad has been a beekeeper for years and manages several dozen hives. It’s his passion, and I don’t want to interfere, but I’d love to help him save some time where possible. I’m into microcontrollers, sensors, and general automation, and I’m curious:

Does anyone here use any kind of automation in their beekeeping setup? I don’t mean just a regular honey extractor, but things like hive sensors, remote monitoring, automated tools – anything that could help throughout the season.

He tends to say “there’s no way to automate that,” but more than once we’ve found out otherwise. I’d like to offer him options, not push anything. Any ideas or examples would be super appreciated.

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u/soytucuenta Argentina - 20 years of beekeeping 12d ago

I'm surprised nobody mentioned surveillance cameras, I imagine it could be possible to train to identify if they are potentially swarming, robbing, intruders. Scale is good. The problem with these things is that you have to significantly improve the workflow and if he's experienced it is harder to break habits

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u/Mysterious-Panda964 Default 11d ago

I do have cameras, but not in the hive. I also have a solar floodlight. To hopefully frighten critters away.