Small Hive beetle

[nursebee]

Hello old friends,
I have a lot of SHB, couple of my hives have gone down from them this year. I am tempted to go without bees for a year to knock down the population. I would like to know what beekeepers are using and what your success has been. Thank you.

[mike haney]

You can't skip a year of bees in your yard and effect the SHB population they live in the wild and will smell your new hive - whenever you get it - and come 'a flying in.

[squarepeg]

lost a couple of weak hives last year from shb and wax moths combined.

this year, all of my hives that are in mostly sun haven't had many beetles at all.

a couple of my hives that were in mostly shade, even for just a week, had more than i could count. i moved them to a more sunny location and the problem was solved.

i do try to keep my hives strong, and don't give them any more space than they can patrol.

i also have a disposable beetle trap in every box, use solid bottom boards, and have window screen covering the notches in my inner covers.

so far so good this year.

[sfisher]

Squarpeg what kind of beetle traps are you using?

[thenance007]

I have used Beetle Jail entrance traps www.beetlejail.com on my 2 hives for the past 2 years. Had half a dozen or so beetles the first time I opened the hive; since then, I have seen 1 beetle. I get very few in the trap although I am in an area where they are a problem and I have a fruit orchard in my back yard that should attract them. I think the design of the entrance must discourage them. Although they are a bit pricey ($30), I think they are about the best purchase I've made.

[squarepeg]

they are called 'better beetle blaster'. i get them from mann lake, and put about a quarter inch of vegetable oil in them. i also mix a little rotten banana and apple cider vinegar into the vegetable oil.