john, paul, george & ringo

[hoodswoods]

I have the beetles - variety & extent yet unknown, but here in georgia, can expect the worst (at least variety-wise) as my hive is very strong.

besides soil treatment for on-going issues, does anyone have good experience with any particular trap? I like the design of the west trap, but have a screened bottom board which I like for ventillation in the hot weather, but don't let that influence me.

I know that there are a number of threads running on this issue, but nothing specific to a recommendation - have any?

[SlickMick]

I am using both AJ's and homemade bottom board oil traps. Both work but I think the bottom board trap works best.

Have a look at http://www.greenbeehives.com/. Mine dont cover the whole bottom board and these may be more effective

Mick

[mac]

Have been using the west hive trap here in Fl.now for a bunch of years.It works well but is a bit labor intensive. I change out the oil about every 2 weeks. I strain out the junk and re use the oil. I use it on top of screened bottom boards so I still get the ventilation. Any mites that are groomed off the bees end up in the trap. Wax moth larva end up in the trap along with just about anything in the hive other than bees. I have just started using dish soap and water in one trap and it seems to work as well as oil. Not sure if this would work in winter due to the extra moisture. West trap and oil will really control shb.

[snarky]

I modified my hive base to handle a cookie sheet below the SBB;
It may reduce the ventilation a bit but the beetles (and any other non-bee items) seem to find their way into it.

If you go this route, be sure thatt he tray or cookie sheet fits within 1/4 inch of the bottom of the hive, otherwise bees seem to find their way into it.

I had left the cookie sheets out till a few weeks ago, then the SHB showed up.
One week with the tray of oil in place and it is full of beetles, very few left in the hive;

BTW - the beetles seem to mostly attack one hive out of the 3 in my yard - ironically not the weakest one.

[BeeAware]

If you only have John, Paul, George and Ringo, you are very fortunate since they are all males. In addition to those guys I also have Yoko Ono and a few other female groupies! This makes for bad medicine in the hive.