Beesource Beekeeping Forums banner

Hive Beetles/Oil Traps/Beetle Larva

2286 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  RonnieS
OK, I have two VERY strong hives. I also have Freeman traps on the bottom. I am catching no adult beetles but the oil tray has many beetle larva in it. Is this the normal deal? Beetles lay eggs, they hatch and the larva end up in the try but do not reproduce?

FWIW I have 3 new hives from package bees and those freeman traps have no larva at all so these are born of beetles that overwintered in the hives in my opinion.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Id be interestred to know to. I just purchased two FHB traps and currently have them set up on my hives....
Id be interestred to know to. I just purchased two FHB traps and currently have them set up on my hives....
The hives are FULL of bees and seem to have expanding populations.
Yes you should be catching Adults in the oil I did within 20 Min. there were adults in the oil never found any larva in the hives.
Yes you should be catching Adults in the oil I did within 20 Min. there were adults in the oil never found any larva in the hives.
Here is my theory: The adults hang at the top of the hive and end up in the oil when entering the hive. The larva migrate down and end up in the oil?

Thoughts?
I'd inspect to see what frames the larva are coming from and freeze them. Are the strong hives able to keep all the frames covered?
I'd inspect to see what frames the larva are coming from and freeze them. Are the strong hives able to keep all the frames covered?
Absolutely covered. FULL of bees. I will look Wed to see if they are concentrated on a frame or perhaps all are being driven to the bottom?
One of my eight hives has a few larvae drop onto the inspection board beneath the screened bottom board daily. It is also packed with bees. I inspected it last week and could not find them in the comb even though I knew where they drop. I also did not see any adults. I will look again this weekend as it is a mystery to me. None of the others are dropping larvae, and only a few adults have shown up yet.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top