BYU Students Create Parasite Detector for Beehives

One of the biggest threats to beehives and pollinators is the varroa mite, but a new innovation from BYU students aims to mitigate the devastating effects of these parasites.

Varroa Tech, a group of eight BYU students, won the Student Innovator of the Year competition last week with their beehive parasite detector.

The team came together through the Crocker Innovation Fellowship, a yearlong program designed to unite students from diverse fields to solve real-world problems.

The Varroa Tech team became interested in beehives after one member’s uncle, a beekeeper, shared his experiences. They discovered that parasitic infestations, especially from varroa destructor mites, are responsible for 40% to 50% of beehive deaths.

“There’s really not a great solution for it. It’s a huge problem in an underserved market. We might be out of our depth, but we will explore it,” said team member Tyler Lenning, an environmental science and sustainability major.

Experienced beekeepers can often sense when a hive is infected, and there are some treatments to combat the infection. However, it’s difficult to determine when the infestation has progressed too far.

These infestations cause entire hives to collapse, reducing the number of bees and pollinators, which, in turn, affects agricultural production.

Varroa Tech, a team of BYU students, won BYU’s Student Innovator of the Year competition on Feb. 27 with a beehive parasite detector. | Lucas Sullivan

Determined to address this issue, the students set out to create a device to reduce beehive deaths caused by the infestations. They consulted researchers from the University of Poland who had studied beehive parasites, using their findings as the foundation for their product.

The Varroa Tech device is a box-shaped apparatus that attaches to a beehive. A clear air hose is inserted into the hive, drawing in natural fumes for analysis.

The device sends real-time data to an app, which interprets the information, alerts beekeepers to potential problems, measures hive health, and, crucially, tracks mite infestation levels.

“The mites can destroy a hive with just 3% to 4% infestation. So, it’s essential for beekeepers to know the exact infestation levels and when to take action,” said Devon Wolsleger, an information systems graduate.

A Larger Impact Than Just Bees

Modern agriculture heavily depends on bees for pollination, Lenning explained. The mission of Varroa Tech is to help reduce bee deaths. If their device can cut the 40% hive mortality rate in half, it would result in 20% more pollinators, which would increase food production.

“It’s not just about beekeepers. Most of the food we eat relies on bees,” Lenning said. “If we can support pollinator populations and increase their survival chances, with less chemical intervention and human handling, it’s a win for everyone.”

Wolsleger expressed gratitude for being part of a project that helps save bees, increase pollinator numbers, and potentially contribute to more affordable food production.

“It’s incredible to think that we might help increase the availability of produce at lower costs. It’s a global issue that affects anyone who consumes produce,” Wolsleger said.

The Varroa Tech team spent nearly a year developing the product as part of their fellowship, creating prototypes, testing, and refining their design. In November, they began preparing for the Student Innovator of the Year competition.

After many late nights working, perfecting presentations, and rehearsing with their spouses, the team took the stage on Feb. 27 to present their invention. The seven finalist teams were judged based on engineering, innovation, and the potential impact of their products to determine the winner.

Wolsleger admitted to feeling so nervous he could hardly believe it when their team was announced as the winner, but he was thrilled. Lenning said it felt great to accomplish what they had worked so hard for after months of dedication and anticipation.

Varroa Tech, a team of BYU students, won BYU’s Student Innovator of the Year competition on Feb. 27 with a beehive parasite detector. | Abby Shelton, BYU

In total, the team received $14,500 for their victory and being named the crowd favorite. They could win an additional $4,000 if selected for the social impact award, which will be announced next week.

“Our goal is to invest all the prize money into prototyping, testing, and advancing the device to get it to a point where

it can make a real difference,” Lenning said.