Hive-mounted disseminator device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the dissemination of biological control agents or other substances through the use of bees, in particular bumblebees. It relates to a disseminator device, installable in or in connection to the hive, and which contains biological control agents or other substances which are picked up, carried and disseminated by the bees when leaving the hive.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A beehive comprising a disseminator device and a top grid, the disseminator device being an integrated part of the top grid and comprising a dispenser chamber that holds a substance to be disseminated, the dispenser chamber comprising an entrance and an exit. 
     
     
         31 . The beehive of  claim 30 , wherein the top member of the dispenser chamber consists of the covering grid of the hive. 
     
     
         32 . The beehive of  claim 30 , wherein the dispenser chamber comprises a top perforation through which the dispenser chamber is fillable with the substance. 
     
     
         33 . The beehive of  claim 30 , further comprising a hinged or removable lid connected to the top grid, through which the dispenser chamber is fillable with the substance. 
     
     
         34 . The beehive of  claim 30 , wherein the entrance of the dispenser chamber is closable. 
     
     
         35 . The beehive of  claim 30 , further comprising means for immobilizing the substance to be disseminated at the floor member of the dispenser chamber. 
     
     
         36 . The beehive of  claim 30 , further comprising a unidirectional entrance for bees entering the hive. 
     
     
         37 . The beehive of  claim 30 , further comprising a unidirectional exit pathway for bees leaving the hive. 
     
     
         38 . The beehive of claim  1 , further comprising bees. 
     
     
         39 . The beehive of  claim 38 , wherein the bees are honeybees or bumblebees. 
     
     
         40 . The beehive of  claim 39 , wherein the bees are bumblebees. 
     
     
         41 . A method for distributing a biological control agent, the method comprising:
 providing a beehive according to  claim 30 ;   filling the dispenser chamber with a biological control agent; and   allowing bees to pass through the dispenser chamber,   whereby the biological control agent is distributed when the bees forage outside of the beehive.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the bees are honeybees or bumblebees.