small hive beetle

[kookaburra]

Question:
I've heard plenty about the small hive beetle, but am not sure of the range. I know VA and NC but was assuming it is just in the south yet.

I am in SW Michigan.
However, I did hear a rumor of a beekeeper around here of hives with SHB.

What is the range, and is this something that I'm going need to worry about?

This is my first year and am still formulating my defense against mites and am a bit worried that I need to plan for this too.

Thanks for the help.

Rick

[Michael Bush]

I have never seen one, but also have heard that there are some in Michigan. Apparently they DO live that far north. I don't know of much you can do as a preventative. Keep the apiary clean. Don't leave things around for the wax moths and SHB. Use PermaComb. I don't see how they can touch it. http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Michael Bush]

BTW why would someone from MI be Kookabura? I would have expected you to be from Australia.

[clintonbemrose]

Question:
I've heard plenty about the small hive beetle, but am not sure of the range. I know VA and NC but was assuming it is just in the south yet.

I am in SW Michigan.
However, I did hear a rumor of a beekeeper around here of hives with SHB.
What is the range, and is this something that I'm going need to worry about?
This is my first year and am still formulating my defense against mites and am a bit worried that I need to plan for this too.
Thanks for the help.
Answer:
I am near you near Lansing. I have been having good luck with FGMO fogging and cords for the mites for over 2 years and YES we have SHB in Michigan. I have been having good luck using GardStar as a Ground Drench around the hives to control the larva in the hives for over 1 year. This kills the larva as it pupats in the ground.
I live in Mason, Michigan and am a migatory beekeeper with 503 hives with 3 experimental hives kept in Mason and over wintered and 500 that are moved South for the winter and North for the summer. If I can be of some help my E-MAIL address is quintb@cablespeed.com
Clint (a beekeeper sence 1965)

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Clinton Bemrose
just South of Lansing Michigan

[BjornBee]

Just had my first case of SHB. I have hives in areas that migratory beekeepers from the south come into every spring. Thats probably how most come into contact with the SHB in the northern states.

My understanding is that SHB does not tolerate the climate in the north. Most infested areas, looking at a map of the areas that had past problems, are located in the south or from heavy traveled commercial beekeeping areas.

SHB is like the wax moth. Nothing really to do until you find it. Unlike the v-mite that must be constantly monitored. Even if you had SHB, it could be years till you see it again, if ever.

[kookaburra]

Thanks Clint, I'll probably email you sometime with questions. I really appreciate the offer as well as everybody who answers questions(and asks!) on these posts.

Why Kookaburra in MI? Well, I've never been Down Under but much of my family has and I now have a sister who lives in Tazzy(tasmania). The nickname for the kookaburra is "The Laughing Jacka$$" and that sometimes describes me! That and it is pretty easy to get a login for that name.

-Rick