Seen a hive beetle today!!!! Question?!

[Bees4Us]

So today we checked on the bees since it was 70 degrees. They had a little bit of patty left and that was good to see. I pulled out a couple frames and I seen a hive beetle going in and out of empty brood holes!!!! I got it out and didn't see any more. I removed the patty that was in there and put a fresh one in. Very small slits of it. But I am worried it has laid eggs.

My question is, what now???? Does that mean I have an infestation of them since I seem one??? I pulled more frames out and didn't see any more. But I am worried. I only seen it in one of the hives. Do I remove all of the patties??????? They need the food

Help :-(

Thanks in advance.

Angela

[psfred]

Not a problem -- it's going to get below freezing once in a while soon, and the adult beetles will get run out of the cluster and freeze to death.

The bees will deal with any larvae and the eggs (if any) in the patty will die when they freeze.

I found a large number of dead beetles (ten or so) on the sticky board last time I looked -- far more that I would like to see, but it's a strong hive and if we get a normal winter, they will all be gone in the spring. Might be a problem if it's like last year (no winter at all), but I expect some cold weather soon and they will be gone for the year.

Peter

[snl]

Not a problem -- it's going to get below freezing once in a while soon, and the adult beetles will get run out of the cluster and freeze to death.......... if we get a normal winter, they will all be gone in the spring......... I expect some cold weather soon and they will be gone for the year.
Peter

I don't think that's the case. SHB have been known to live within the cluster. The bees (stupid ones) actually feed the buggers on occasion ......disgusting!

[Bees4Us]

I don't think that's the case. SHB have been known to live within the cluster. The bees (stupid ones) actually feed the buggers on occasion ......disgusting!

Ok, now that freaks me out....some of the bees feeding the SHB???

Should I just let winter do it's thing then?

[snl]

Some of the bees feeding the SHB??? (Yes)

Should I just let winter do it's thing then?

You might try Beetle Blaster Traps (or others) in case the bees break cluster and the SHB move around & get trapped in them.........other than that???

[SwedeBee1970]

Try some powdered sugar on the beetles. It'll help the bees chase the bugs out into the cold.....

[JRG13]

ur going to see them, it doesn't mean it's an infestation.

[AmericasBeekeeper]

One adult SHB is not an infestation. SHB love protein (pollen substitute) patties.

[Bees4Us]

Thank you Peter for your reply That eases my mind a little. We had a cold streak here a few weeks ago, and I hope it got the most of them, if there were more. It was crazy to see! I am a newbie and this was the first one I have seen in person. I was happy to identify and see it, but also glad to get it out and smoosh it!

As someone replied that SHB love pollen patties, I am aware of that, but I want to make sure they are kept fed.

I wasn't sure if seeing one meant there was an infestation or not, that is why I asked Just making sure, and trying to nip something in the bud if it were a problem.

Again, thanks to yall for taking time to reply!