hive beetle

[BjornBee]

I think it was this website that someone had a link to a map showing the areas of the country that had hive beetle infestation. After my last inspection today, I am very interested in that link if someone has it.

I know they can outbreak anywhere, but I didn't remember central Pa as a problem area. Then again, now I wonder about all those packages from down south. Thanks.

[dcross]

Ask and ye shall recieve... http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pe...ap/usaall.html

[BjornBee]

Thanks dcross, thats the one.

After posting my original post, I could not find alot of info in my books about hive beetles. Just that they were found in the south about 1998, and are devestating to hives. Only thing in the mags are about checkmite.

Any good links with beetle information and perhaps pictures.

What I found, which happens to be in a weak hive that I've been trying to help back to life after struggling with wax moths, was a beetle about the size of a ladybug but not perfectly round. Something between round and what a football would be. They were also very dark brown to black. And they could move pretty good. I always see the occasional beetle in the cover, etc. But these were more than one or two. Didn't exactly count but I know it was a problem. I have never encountered hive beetles before.

And.....besides the checkmite path, which I'm not against, any other points or comments? Thanks.

[WineMan]

Itll be cold pretty soon and that slows them right down. If its them, and by the way they run pretty fast and try to duck into cover which is typically an open cell, you'll find them early in the morning on the inner cover trying to get the rising heat.

[dcross]

http://www.csl.gov.uk/science/organ/...sheets/SHB.pdf

Some good pics

[This message has been edited by dcross (edited September 20, 2003).]

[Michael Bush]

Part of the confusion is that there are a lot of kinds beetles around and I've noticed some like to get into the nooks and crannies of hives. But all that I've ever gotten a real look at weren't SHB. I hope yours aren't. Of course the give away is the larvae in your combs.

[BILLY BOB]

I see most of the SHB when I first open the hive.

When you pop the lid give the inner covr a quick scan. If SHB are there they will be the fastest thing moving on the cover.

Do the same thing when you open the inner cover. They move very fast and quickly dive into the frames.

BB

[BjornBee]

Yes its the hive beetle. Looks like I'll be ordering ckeckmite in the morning.
Can anyone with hive beetle experience answer the following:
Should I as a precaution treat the other hives in this particular apiary? I'm guessing as devestating as they can be complete coverage would be best?
How do they move. Fly or walk?
I also have a bottle of something called (I think) goldstar ground drench. Any pointers or comments on this?. Its suppose to break the life cycle by applying in the ground around the hive.
Thank you.

[clintonbemrose]

I control SHB bu using only GardStar ground drench around the hives. I refuse to use dangerous Checkmite. I call it dangerous because the manufacturer says to use chemical gloves to handle the strips.
Clint

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Clinton Bemrose
just South of Lansing Michigan

[BjornBee]

I know a strong hive will defend against wax moth and as an additive I'm now using Certan. But when dealing with hive beetle (my first), I thought once the beetle is in they are certain to kill the hive.
Will the hive combat the beetle without checkmite (only medication I know of).
I will be using the gardstar in this apiary as its not desired to relocate site.

This is not a a strong hive. If I combined with a strong hive in hopes of fighting the beetle and then do a split in the spring, would I be facing two dead hives come spring?

Can the bees defend against the beetle without checkmite and is there any other options? Thank you.

[dcross]

I had one hive with one beetle last year, I did nothing and haven't seen anymore. If you want to, put corrugated cardboard on the bottom board for 24 hours, then remove and check for beetles.

[db_land]

I noticed a couple of small hive beetles in two hives last year. These are strong hives and seem to be handling SHB ok (no larvae found in combs or honey removed). Also, I just removed a large hive from a bldg wall and saw at least 10 SHB, but didn't see any larva. Recommendation: combine with strong colony and watch closely, but no chemicals.

[clintonbemrose]

Will the hive combat the beetle without checkmite (only medication I know of).
I will be using the gardstar in this apiary as its not desired to relocate site.
I only use GardStar ground drench and have not lost a hive to the SHB yet. If you don't have much rain then you can treat less often. If you have a lot of rain then you might have to treat monthly. This year we had a drought and I only treated twice. The piece of corrigated cardboard on the bottomboard is a very good test to find them.
Clint

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Clinton Bemrose
just South of Lansing Michigan