Spent almost all of last year not on this board, had a major small hive beetle kill in my yard and got a bit frustrated with not being able to keep the hives going. Lost five out of six hives to beetles and the two nucs which I bought locally to replenish the yard crashed within a month from mites. Oh well water under the bridge but it still bugs me.
Ended up with the one survivor hive and a nuc split off the survivor which is a good begining for the new year. Plans for the new year are to pull enough frames come springtime to start two more nucs and hopefully get some decent queens.
The best part of being away is coming back.
One of the best ways to help with SHB is to have strong colonies. When I started I got established hives, and well established SHB also. I put some DVD traps with Fipronil and Crisco in them. Added SBBs with oil under, latter changed oil to soapy water. Got the SHBs down and last year took out the DVD's, the bees have been able to keep them down so far now.
Good luck with yours.
Joe
Smashing SHB to the top board helps.
this leaves the scent of too! many here. or SHB medical condition they can not overcome.
they dont come back