Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: jayj200 on March 30, 2014, 05:52:40 PM

Title: SHB odor
Post by: jayj200 on March 30, 2014, 05:52:40 PM
what does SHB smell like?

do one or two make that smell?

or does it take dozens?

jay
Title: Re: SHB odor
Post by: G3farms on March 30, 2014, 10:38:14 PM
Never "smelled" SHB.

AFB is the first thing that comes to mind when anyone mentions smell unless goldenrod is in bloom.

You need to go into your hives and check them good.

Of course there could be something in bloom in your neck of the woods to create that smell also.
Title: Re: SHB odor
Post by: RHBee on April 19, 2014, 09:57:51 PM
I recall a smell.  Fermentation, more of appearance, slimed.
Title: Re: SHB odor
Post by: AllenF on April 20, 2014, 06:25:10 PM
Fermentation and slim occur when the frame is totally lost.  And there are normally lots of beetles by then as the hive has taken a turn for the worse. 
Title: Re: SHB odor
Post by: RHBee on April 21, 2014, 01:43:34 PM
Quote from: jayj200 on March 30, 2014, 05:52:40 PM
what does SHB smell like?

do one or two make that smell?

or does it take dozens?

jay

The beetles themselves have no discernable smell.
Title: Re: SHB odor
Post by: capt44 on April 22, 2014, 12:33:47 AM
I agree, I'd be checking for foul brood.
That's how it got it's name, from the foul smell.
But if the bee population is low then the hive beetles will go on a egg laying rampage and destroy the comb causing it to ferment.
Title: Re: SHB odor
Post by: jayj200 on May 05, 2014, 09:07:39 AM
Our bee president came by last week
while the sour grass odor has dissipated.
he said all the hives are booming.
harvested 5 gals of honey from one hive
thanks for your replies
jay