Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Lesgold on January 09, 2022, 04:17:34 PM

Title: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Lesgold on January 09, 2022, 04:17:34 PM
Hi Folks,

This year has been particularly wet in my area. Small hive beetles grew in number throughout the spring and early summer (as they always do) but for some reason over the past two weeks they have almost disappeared. I have not noticed this before. Usually at this time of year beetle numbers are maxing out. I pulled some honey from 4 hives yesterday and inspected 3 others and saw a total of 4 beetles. Perhaps it?s a part of their life cycle or maybe they just don?t like me anymore. I know some of you have done a lot of research and have good knowledge on the subject so can you offer any possible reasons as to what?s happening?

Cheers

Les
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on January 09, 2022, 10:50:26 PM
Les,
Just count your blessings.
😊
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Lesgold on January 10, 2022, 12:51:55 AM
It will only be a moment in time to celebrate and wonder. I?m sure the little lighters will find a way to annoy the hives shortly. Took 4 boxes of honey off today for one beetle. Pretty good numbers there. Must be my aggressive bees lol.  :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Joyspencer on October 16, 2022, 09:49:31 PM
I've seen a lot of the small hive beetles this year.
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Lesgold on October 16, 2022, 10:37:48 PM
Back to normal for m as well. Good numbers of beetles currently in my hives. The bees are having fun chasing them around and wrestling them. Car
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Jim134 on October 16, 2022, 10:39:32 PM
    Be grateful the  SHB are gone for now..


        BEE HAPPY  Jim134  😊
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Ben Framed on October 17, 2022, 01:11:55 AM

Quote from: Joyspencer on October 16, 2022, 09:49:31 PM
I've seen a lot of the small hive beetles this year.

I have too Joy. Thanks for joining in.

Phillip
Title: Re: Where have all my small hive beetles gone?
Post by: Michael Bush on October 17, 2022, 07:43:31 AM
It takes very specific conditions for the larvae to hatch and flourish.  High humidity is one of those.  In some weather they get really bad and in other weather they don't seem to hatch.