Evolution:Our innovation journey began with aim of providing simple and cost effective solutions to protect hives agains ants and provide a safe and self sustaining water source to bees. We went through many cycles of research, hypothesis and field-trails, to arrive at the current design and ingredient list.
Our innovation journey progressed on 3 tracks: |
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Quest for Repel-Ants
We started with learning about current solutions being used by beekeepers to address these issues and understanding where they fail. First, we started researching and experimenting ingredients that repelled ants, but were safe for bees and were cost-effective.
After multiple experiments with all possible iterations, we concluded that
*We discovered that turmeric and cinnamon powder are being used to fight off Varroa mites, a parasite which sucks the blood of the bees. Our first customer later noted that his bees were rubbing their backs against the turmeric, which may have been a precautionary measure against the Varroa mites. We may also consider selling Repel-Ant strips containing materials that Varroa mites are repelled by.
We started with learning about current solutions being used by beekeepers to address these issues and understanding where they fail. First, we started researching and experimenting ingredients that repelled ants, but were safe for bees and were cost-effective.
After multiple experiments with all possible iterations, we concluded that
- We need to cycle through different Repel-Ants, as ants develop immunity with any one type of Repel-Ant.
- Following 3 ingredients are most effective against ants, but are safe for bees
- Turmeric*
- Cinnamon Powder*
- Lemon Oil
- Boric Acid Powder
*We discovered that turmeric and cinnamon powder are being used to fight off Varroa mites, a parasite which sucks the blood of the bees. Our first customer later noted that his bees were rubbing their backs against the turmeric, which may have been a precautionary measure against the Varroa mites. We may also consider selling Repel-Ant strips containing materials that Varroa mites are repelled by.