About
BeeScanning is a specialized mobile application designed for beekeepers who want to monitor and manage bee colony health efficiently and humanely. It leverages artificial intelligence and computer vision to detect varroa mites from photos of bees, providing an accurate mite count without the need to kill bees through traditional alcohol wash methods. The app serves as an all-in-one hive management platform, allowing beekeepers to track hive health status, log completed tasks, and plan important upcoming maintenance. Its 'healthy-hives-functionalities' give users a complete picture of colony condition over time, helping them stay ahead of infestations and other health threats such as Parasitic Mite Syndrome (PMS). BeeScanning has been independently validated by users against alcohol wash results, confirming its accuracy as a non-lethal mite assessment alternative. The platform also includes an apiary map feature and a hive stand view to help beekeepers manage multiple locations. Made by beekeepers, for beekeepers, BeeScanning is available on iOS and Android with a subscription-based pricing model. With over 17,000 active users worldwide and 43 million bees credited as saved, it is a proven, trusted tool for both hobbyist and commercial beekeeping operations seeking smarter, more compassionate colony management.
Key Features
- AI Varroa Mite Detection: Uses computer vision to analyze photos of bees and accurately identify varroa mites without harming the colony.
- Hive Health Tracking: Monitor and record the health status of each hive over time, keeping a full historical log of colony condition.
- Task Management & Planning: Log completed beekeeping tasks and schedule upcoming hive maintenance to stay organized throughout the season.
- Apiary Map: Visualize your apiary with an interactive map view, helping manage multiple hive locations at a glance.
- Parasitic Mite Syndrome Awareness: Educates beekeepers on PMS symptoms and supports early detection to prevent colony collapse.
Use Cases
- Monitoring varroa mite infestation levels across multiple hives without performing lethal alcohol washes
- Managing hive health records and tracking colony condition trends over an entire beekeeping season
- Planning and logging seasonal treatments, inspections, and maintenance tasks for each hive
- Detecting early signs of Parasitic Mite Syndrome (PMS) to intervene before colony collapse
- Helping new beekeepers learn to identify varroa mites and hive health issues through AI-assisted photo analysis
Pros
- Non-lethal mite counting: Eliminates the need for alcohol wash tests, allowing beekeepers to assess mite loads without killing bees.
- Validated accuracy: Users confirm results closely match traditional alcohol wash counts, making it a reliable diagnostic tool.
- All-in-one management: Combines AI health diagnostics with task logging, hive mapping, and planning in a single app.
- Proven at global scale: Trusted by 17,000+ beekeepers worldwide, with over 43 million bees credited as saved.
Cons
- Highly niche audience: The app is exclusively useful for beekeepers, limiting its broader appeal and user base.
- Subscription required for full access: Advanced features and ongoing use require a paid subscription plan.
- Photo quality dependent: Detection accuracy may vary depending on the quality and clarity of photos submitted for analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does BeeScanning detect varroa mites?
BeeScanning uses AI-powered computer vision to analyze photos of bees taken with your smartphone. The algorithm scans the images and identifies varroa mites, giving you a mite load count without any invasive procedures.
Is BeeScanning as accurate as an alcohol wash?
Yes — multiple users have independently verified that BeeScanning's mite counts closely match results from alcohol wash tests, confirming it as a reliable and humane alternative.
What platforms is BeeScanning available on?
BeeScanning is available as a mobile app on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play), with web access also available.
Does BeeScanning offer a free plan?
BeeScanning offers tiered pricing plans. Some functionality may be available for free, but full access to all features requires a paid subscription. You can review plans on their pricing page.
Who created BeeScanning and where is it based?
BeeScanning was created by beekeepers, for beekeepers, and is headquartered in Lindesberg, Sweden. The team combines hands-on beekeeping expertise with modern AI technology.
