Build Guideintermediate
Beehive Health Monitor with Bee Data Logger
Monitor beehive temperature, humidity, and weight using the Bee Data Logger's Qwiic sensor ports and deep sleep mode. Track hive conditions to predict swarming, assess colony health, and optimize honey production.
Boards:ESP32-S3
Firmware:CircuitPythonArduino
Use Cases:Environmental MonitoringData Logging
Overview
Despite its name, the Bee Data Logger was not specifically designed for beekeeping -- but its feature set makes it an excellent platform for beehive monitoring. The ultra-low power consumption, dual Qwiic connectors, SD card logging, and RTC timestamps are exactly what a remote apiary monitoring system needs.
Why Monitor Beehives?
- Temperature is an early indicator of whether bees are about to swarm
- Humidity indicates overall hive health and ventilation
- Weight tracking reveals nectar flow, honey stores, and colony population changes
- Long-term data helps beekeepers make informed management decisions
Hardware Required
- Bee Data Logger (ESP32-S3)
- SHT40 or BME280 temperature/humidity sensor (Qwiic)
- HX711 load cell amplifier + load cells for weight measurement (via GPIO/ADC)
- microSD card
- LiPo battery (2000mAh+ recommended for seasonal deployment)
- Weatherproof enclosure
- Optional: I2C extender board for routing sensors into the hive
How It Works
- Temperature and humidity sensors are placed inside the hive via the I2C extender
- Load cells under the hive measure total weight changes
- The Bee Data Logger wakes from deep sleep at configured intervals (e.g., every 15 minutes)
- All readings are timestamped via the DS3231 RTC and logged to the SD card
- Optional: data is sent via WiFi/MQTT to a dashboard when in range
Software
Start with the CircuitPython or Arduino deep sleep SD examples and add sensor libraries for your chosen I2C sensors. The dual Qwiic ports allow connecting two different sensor breakouts without any soldering.
