TBH Small Hive Beetle Trap

Dearest TBH Beeks what are you using as SHB traps?

Last year I used beetle blasters on the floor of the hive because the comb allowed me the space to do it but I won't have such luck this year. Not to mention it was disruptive to the hive when reaching in to retrieve it for cleaning and fostered a hiding nook for wax moth larvae.

I'm considering dangling a jewel cd case between the top bars but there are many issues with that. The greatest of all, possibly, the gross neglect of bee space.

I'd like to think myself much more creatively inspired but seeing as I just had my second child three months ago I still have not regained brain function due to sleep deprivation. >.< Or perhaps, as many mothers will say, your kids steal your brain power.

If your wondering about a feeding system check this out. Seems very bee & user friendly and designed not to encourage robbing. http://youtu.be/dN6iKmoCnqY

are small hive beetles a serious problem in your hives? I've had beetles show up before, but never in great enough numbers to cause any harm. most top bar hive designs don't provide very many hidey-holes for them, so, in my experience at least, they don't seem to be a serious problem.

I had my bees last year in south central NC where the beetles are everyone's problem. We moved over the winter to East TN where the locals say they were more of an issue last year than previously. So I'm figuring it will be.

I had much lower numbers of SHB in my TBH's than the Lang's.

I need something in there to get the little beasties!

Danielle Pannhurst wrote:I need something in there to get the little beasties!

do you? as with any pest, treatment delays or prevents adaptation. you'll be breeding more obnoxious beetles and bees that aren't able to handle them. I don't pretend that choosing to not treat is an easy course or without risk, but I believe it's the best option. but they aren't my bees, and I have no interest in talking you into something you don't want to do (or out of something you want to do).

consider, also, that small hive beetles are attracted to honey bees' alarm pheromones. my guess is that's why your top bar hives have fewer beetles than the Langstroth hives.

That's a good way to look at it and one I never considered. I am of the mind that using powdered sugar is selecting for stronger mites so you've given me something to consider. I enjoyed my TBH so much I'm considering phasing out my langs.