London Student: Artificial Intelligence in the Fight Against Varroatosis in Beekeeping

Artificial intelligence could play a crucial role in saving beehives from diseases such as varroatosis, providing valuable support to beekeepers in combating this harmful parasite.

This is the assertion of an Albanian student studying engineering in London, who is working on developing a technological solution that can be applied to beekeeping.

Varroatosis is one of the most dangerous diseases for bees. Beekeepers say that an untreated hive can be completely destroyed within two years by this parasite.

Eugen Skerma, a beekeeper from southeastern Albania, explains that varroatosis is a major concern for beekeepers, who have traditionally fought it using methods such as oxalic acid treatment.

“It’s a mite that develops in bees and has been around for years; it cannot be completely eradicated. A good beekeeper must keep it under control. There’s no way to eliminate it completely, but keeping it in check is necessary to prevent it from destroying bees during the winter, using oxalic acid. It’s a difficult battle that can never be fully won,” says beekeeper Eugen Skerma.

However, according to Ergi Mira, an Albanian student pursuing engineering studies at the University of Greenwich in London, artificial intelligence could offer a sustainable and effective solution. With extensive experience in beekeeping from his village, Menkulas in Devoll, he proposes using technology to monitor and combat varroatosis more accurately and at a lower cost.

“If we consider traditional treatments, this mite has developed immunity to chemicals. The problem is worsening, so we propose using artificial intelligence to monitor it. AI can observe in greater detail than the human eye; we can track its cycle, combat it in its early stages, and reduce the risk of its spread, thereby improving bee health,” says Ergi Mira, a student in London.

Mira emphasizes that artificial intelligence could be made very accessible for beekeepers by utilizing smartphones for real-time monitoring. The system would send instant alerts, allowing for more efficient hive management and cost reduction.

“The usage is simple, through a smartphone. The data is received in real-time as a message. The cost is around 2,000-3,000 euros for a farm with 200 hives, but it’s not an additional expense because it reduces losses by preventing bee colony destruction,” explains Mira.

In the Korça region, one of Albania’s most well-known beekeeping areas, there are over 80,000 beehives, concentrated mainly in Korça and Devoll. Beekeepers in this area are increasingly interested in new technological solutions that can improve bee health, increase honey production, and reduce the use of chemicals while tackling the challenges posed by varroatosis.

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