A Czech beekeeper has invented a new, clean technology that not only promises to tackle a pest that has cost billions of dollars for the bee industry, but also increases yields. 

To date, the main defense against the Varroa destructor mite has been the use of chemical drugs, but this solution has not always been effective as it can weaken the bees while the pest itself can also develop resistance.

But the Thermosolar Hive, invented by Dr. Roman Linhart, now provides a thermo-therapeutic method for exterminating the pest.

Linhart, whose hive was patented in 2014, claims the hive completely eliminates the late summer reproduction of the mite. In essence, by absorbing sunlight the hive is heated to a temperature which bees can tolerate but the varroa destructor mite cannot.

"Our goal was to create a reliable method for treating Varroa without using any chemicals. It has been known that the Varroa destructor mite is extremely sensitive to increased temperature," Linhart said in a release.

"After a single application the number of parasites is reduced by at least 80%. That is to say bellow the limit which endangers the colony," he said on his website.

"After the second application of the warming process of the brood, the mite is exterminated entirely. The parasite may survive the winter only as solitary phoronts."

He said the technology allowed for the production of honey and wax without pesticide residues, and the risk of colonies dying out because of the pest "disappeared entirely".

"The hive is apt to exterminate the mites not only under the caps of the brood, but also those that stick on the young bees. The first phoretic mites fall off already when the temperature reaches 38°C."

The hive has undergone university research and testing in recent years by almost a hundred beekeepers.

"It excludes the damaging influence of chemicals and perfectly exterminates mites in a sealed brood. When maintaining the methodology, the entire treatment is simple and safe. The bees are in great condition," said one of the beekepers, Ludmila Kabelova.

"The hive is so easy to use that it is suitable for beginners."

Linhart is seeking support from the public through crowdfunding.

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