AJ Beetle Eater Mats

[ekrouse]

What kind of mats do you put on top of the AJ traps to keep the bees from covering with propolis and wax?

I purchased some AJ's Beetle traps from Dadant earlier this year to be ready for any SHB outbreaks here in Central New York as I had a couple of cut-out hives wiped out from SHB here last year. I just relocated a new cutout to my bee yard and saw a two SHB run off the bottom board when I check it last weekend. I want to put a few of the traps in, but don't know what kind of mat to use.

Any additional tips, suggestions, tricks would be appreciated.

-Eric

[ajs beetle eater]

A perfect mat is a peice of vynal lino wich is floor covering approx measurment is 10 by 6 inches wich is sufficient to lay over the beetle eaters.The beetle eaters only need to be filled to approx 1/3 full just enough to cover the baffles in the oil chamber.The beetle eaters need to be checked on a regular basis eg [ 2 weeks ] or as required on a queen rearing cycle thanks aj

[sc-bee]

Would be nice if the trap were a little deeper. Doesn't allow much room for tilt!

[ajs beetle eater]

sc-bee if you make the beetle eaters any deeper the bees will not be able to maintain those cells that the beetle eater block therefore allowing shb to take advantage of those cells thanks aj

[summer1052]

I use the thicker vinyl lining that comes in a roll for laying in your cupboards. NOT the sticky kind. I can cut it with scissors or a box knife.

I bought some of those cheap cork / pour spout combos and filled an old olive oil bottle with canola oil. (Olive oil is kind of delicate) I use the bottle and pour spout to fill the eaters. It all works together great. I have almost eliminated SHB totally.

AJ -- Would you please turn your inventive attentions to something I can use for the smegging wax moths?

Summer

[sc-bee]

[ekrouse]

Thanks AJ and everyone for your comments. I am going out this morning to set the traps.

-Eric