One of my hives is losing numbers quickly. On inspection all seemed normal except I saw probably 10 to twenty beetles in the top frames of the super . The super was almost drawn out but with no capped comb to speak of.
Seems I need to eradicate the beetles.
Will the beetles cause a reduction in numbers? What should I do to get rid of the little bastages?
I guess I should go into the brood chambers and check my queen since I didn't go any further after I found the beetles. I also figure I will have to treat my other hive as well.
Any advice would be appreciated.
The beetles aren't causing the reduction in population but are taking advantage of it to gain a foothold. Once they do they can take over the hive quickly. You need to find out the reason for the reduction in numbers and limit the space that the bees can't cover. There are lots of different types of traps that can help with beetle problems but since I don't use any of them I really can't advise.
Scott
Hi Crane ,
There is an excellent SHB trap in the form of a mat. Similar to a piece of linoleum, smooth vinyl on one side and a furry backing on the other. The mat hangs furry side against the side of the super and entangles the beetle when the bees chase it. The mat has a piece of metal crimped over the top edge to enable it to be supported similar to a frame.
I saw one yesterday and it must of had 100 dead beetles trapped, Simply brush off the dead beetles , rough up the mat and reinsert it.
Nico
Quote from: Nico on June 17, 2013, 07:05:51 PM
Hi Crane ,
There is an excellent SHB trap in the form of a mat. Similar to a piece of linoleum, smooth vinyl on one side and a furry backing on the other. The mat hangs furry side against the side of the super and entangles the beetle when the bees chase it. The mat has a piece of metal crimped over the top edge to enable it to be supported similar to a frame.
I saw one yesterday and it must of had 100 dead beetles trapped, Simply brush off the dead beetles , rough up the mat and reinsert it.
Nico
And this furry trap can be found where? Crane- check the disease and pest forum, more than you care to know about SHB.
#1 What Hardwood said!
SHB are the main reason I went foundationless after my first beekeeping experience. I do my best to give them no opportunity to get in to begin with. Entrance 3/4x1/2. There's never a jam up. When I got into beekeeping the bees were getting in through a tiny hole in the morter between the stones then going up into the patio ceiling and that hive was huge.
The comb being covered in bees is critical. Foundation filled frames (M B's site) gave the bees a place to be other than on comb. That's when the SHB gets in and starts working its magic. Then its on quick!!!!
There is nothing like watching maggot looking larve pour out of your hive. I don't use traps because I havent needed one since I changed my focus to the SHB but, would if needed. I have not seen SHB in any of the 3 hives I have so far this season but, my friend close by has. Do everything you can afford to do.
Good luck with the fight against them..
The Beetle Mat (hanging style) obtained from several Aussie beekeeping equipment suppliers
Check out product catalogue.
www.qualityBeekeepingSupplies.com.au (http://www.qualitybeekeepingsupplies.com.au)
www.burnettbeekeepingsupplies.com.au (http://www.burnettbeekeepingsupplies.com.au)
Nico
Quote from: Billybee on June 17, 2013, 08:37:23 PM
#1 What Hardwood said!
SHB are the main reason I went foundationless after my first beekeeping experience. I do my best to give them no opportunity to get in to begin with. Entrance 3/4x1/2. There's never a jam up. When I got into beekeeping the bees were getting in through a tiny hole in the morter between the stones then going up into the patio ceiling and that hive was huge.
The comb being covered in bees is critical. Foundation filled frames (M B's site) gave the bees a place to be other than on comb. That's when the SHB gets in and starts working its magic. Then its on quick!!!!
There is nothing like watching maggot looking larve pour out of your hive. I don't use traps because I havent needed one since I changed my focus to the SHB but, would if needed. I have not seen SHB in any of the 3 hives I have so far this season but, my friend close by has. Do everything you can afford to do.
Good luck with the fight against them..
Billybee...........
Do you really believe that foundationless keeps away SHB :?
I would like to hear more about this.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Quote from: Nico on June 18, 2013, 02:25:44 AM
The Beetle Mat (hanging style) obtained from several Aussie beekeeping equipment suppliers
Check out product catalogue.
www.qualityBeekeepingSupplies.com.au (http://www.qualitybeekeepingsupplies.com.au)
www.burnettbeekeepingsupplies.com.au (http://www.burnettbeekeepingsupplies.com.au)
Nico
Nico, I also use the mats but the only problem is Crane is from South Central Texas & dc-bee is from Edgefield South Carolina and I don't think the mats are available in the States.
Kevin
Kev,
maybe room for an Australian export, I don't know what they have in that line in the states.
Nico.
Nico and Kanga Thanks for the info, I will check it out ASAP.
I went ahead and removed my super from the hive to cut down on space the bees have to defend. Still have one super on the hive and if the trend continues I will remove it also. Bees aren't covering the brood boxes and one super but is a lot better today. Here is hoping they can rebound soon.
Cheers Mates!
W
P>S> Thanks for all the help also guys. Cheers to you as well.
http://www.qualitybeekeepingsupplies.com.au/index.php/catalogue-2/44-beetle-traps/221-beetle-mat-trap-hanging-style (http://www.qualitybeekeepingsupplies.com.au/index.php/catalogue-2/44-beetle-traps/221-beetle-mat-trap-hanging-style) Well that's pretty cool. Simple, inexpensive, reusable, thin, chemical free, apparently effective. I'm surprised no one here in the US is offering it if it works as well as claimed. While I do have SHB's I don't currently have troubles with them once I moved my hives to full sun. However, swarms and nucs that I keep in the shade is where I see them the most. I'll try to find a few to buy and bring back when I'm in Australia in mid August.
Billy bee it doesn't matter the type hive, SHB's don't care. I have Langs and TBHs, I usually see one or two beetles, those numbers the bees can control. This year is different here, weather, flow and etc. I had a TBH that the queen swarmed, didn't have a queen cell either. Number got down quick and some SHBs moved in. Took out several frames of honey and froze. Got the hive going and when numbers got back up added frozen honey back. Good luck to you and your bees.
Crane, there are oil trays between frames and under SBB, also roach traps, DVD cases. Check if you have a queen and that she is laying. Reduce the space they have to protect until their numbers get better. Good luck
Joe