[Rigratt]

I tried searching for these but I’m new to the forum and couldn’t find anything. But wondering if anyone has tried these? Thinking about using them on some 5 frame nucs this year.
https://barnyardbees.com/product/beetle-traps-for-entrances/?attribute_size=Bottom+Entrance+(Long)

 

[JClark]

I got a few to try out this spring w/ some new equipment. From what little I could dig up, they seem pretty effective if there are not other points of ingress into your hives--like a SBB.

From what I understand of SHB behavior (SHBs are not my forte) and what literature I could find, they look to be effective disruptors of SHB infiltration behaviors. That being said, I was unable to find any peer-review data supporting claims of red wavelengths of light interrupting/interfering with their visual orientation capabilities. The only thing I could find was data showing strong light attraction in late instar larvae, regardless of wavelength. Makes sense since they are looking to get out of hives to pupate.

So I suspect the red color stuff is bunk (or, at least, an anecdote) but they look to be able to prevent SHB entry at the bee entrances. We'll see when I actually use them this year.

 

[Rigratt]

I got a few to try out this spring w/ some new equipment. From what little I could dig up, they seem pretty effective if there are not other points of ingress into your hives--like a SBB.

From what I understand of SHB behavior (SHBs are not my forte) and what literature I could find, they look to be effective disruptors of SHB infiltration behaviors. That being said, I was unable to find any peer-review data supporting claims of red wavelengths of light interrupting/interfering with their visual orientation capabilities. The only thing I could find was data showing strong light attraction in late instar larvae, regardless of wavelength. Makes sense since they are looking to get out of hives to pupate.

So I suspect the red color stuff is bunk (or, at least, an anecdote) but they look to be able to prevent SHB entry at the bee entrances. We'll see when I actually use them this year.

Thanks, I’ve ordered some to try also. Videos on you tube look promising. I will post my results also.

 

[JWPalmer]

The Guardian works on the established principle that the small hive beetle cannot hover or fly vertically. A downward facing opening that requires vertical flight to achieve the hive entrance will prevent hive beetles from gaining access. Of course, you will need a solid bottom for it to be effective as the beetles can still come through a #8 screen.

 

[Hobo]

I bought ten or eleven when I visited Rossman Apairies several weeks ago. I have not installed them yet.
I have seen the YouTube videos showing the SHBs piling up around the entrance unable to enter the hive. Does anybody know what happens to them? Do the SHBs give up and move on to another hive? Do the bees propolize them in place? (I would think not because they are outside the hive.) Do some of them eventually stumble into the entrance? I am curious to see how effective these things are at keeping the SHBs out long-term.