IoT-based analysis of temporal dynamics in beehive conditions under electrical and light stimulation

This study investigated the effect of light stimuli on the internal conditions (temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure) of honeybee colonies of varying strengths (5, 7, and 9 frames) during bee venom collection using electrical stimulation. This work uses IoT to monitor beehive conditions and environmental factors, studying the effects of light stimuli with a bee venom collector device (BVCD). Experiments were conducted during both day and nighttime, with two collection instances per colony. Results indicated that colony strength and the time of day exerted a more pronounced influence on internal temperature and humidity than the applied light stimuli. Stronger colonies exhibited higher internal temperatures during venom extraction, likely due to increased metabolic activity. Smaller colonies tended to have higher relative humidity during nighttime. Atmospheric pressure remained largely stable and unaffected by the experimental manipulations, except average pressure values were highest in the 9-frame beehives. These findings suggest that while visual cues have a limited immediate impact on the overall hive environment during venom collection, factors such as colony size and diurnal cycles are more significant. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying the observed effects of colony strength, time of day, and green light on beehive conditions, aiming to optimize venom collection practices and minimize stress on bee colonies.