Protecting and Sustaining Bee Colonies
Maintaining Biodiversity and Developing Sustainbale Agriculture
Bees are increasingly under threat, with serious consequences for our natural world. They are at the heart of biodiversity, as they play a vital role as pollinators, and losing them would have a devastating effect across all ecosystems. Zurich based start-up Vatorex has set the goal to save the bees.
Vatorex has developed an alternative to chemicals to combat varroa mites, the main parasite responsible for the loss of many bee colonies. The system is a simple one based on the principle of heat treatment (hyperthermia), using a heating wire inserted into the wax foundations. The bees can withstand higher temperatures than the mites, which die at 39 to 42°C. Beekeepers, whether amateur or professional, can thus dispense with acid or miticide treatments and thereby protect biodiversity.
Vatorex’s pragmatic solution is already being used in about ten European countries, most widely in Austria, France, Germany and Serbia. Vatorex reduces the viral load in the hives. The bees are livelier and produce more honey. Once the system is installed, the beekeeper simply switches it on at the beginning of the season and switches it off at the end, with no need for intervention in between. The system treats the hives automatically, even in the absence of the beekeeper. Vatorex has also developed a remote control mobile application, saving the beekeeper precious time. This innovative solution is easy to implement, and is an essential tool in protecting an endangered species and promoting environmental balance.
