Hive Beetles seen at Honey Harvest

[Hethen57]

This is my first year having to deal with hive beetles (I never saw one in my hives in the Pacific NW).  I just harvested my last honey supers and I noticed a few beetles on the frames .  There was no sliming, no larva, just a half a dozen or maybe even a dozen beetles scurrying around.  I understand that the beetles are trying to lay eggs in the foundation or the honey and my question is whether the honey that I extracted and strained is likely to have eggs and larva that will start hatching in it after I bottle it an give it away to friends?

[paus]

There are post on BM that explain Double screen Bottom Boards with oil or water pan and this does a wonderful job of controlling SHB. I went through some hives this AM and found 3-4 SHB in a hive that had a leak in the oil pan and it ran dry.  I also put every thing in a deep freeze for 2-3 days,  honey to be extracted and this is including any frames with drawn comb  that are to be stored, then I wrap them in a garbage bag, and tape the end shut.  There will be other options that works for other BEEKs, try to figure out what works best for your situation, good luck.

[van from Arkansas]

and my question is whether the honey that I extracted and strained is likely to have eggs and larva that will start hatching in it after I bottle it an give it away to friends?

My experience is the small hive beetles desire pollen frames as number one preference, brood number 2, but a very close number 2.

To me, the beetles don?t care for honey as honey has no protein and proteins are needed to raise beetle larva.

Van

[Hethen57]

Thanks...that information is helpful.  When I first noticed them, I did put in several types of traps in my hives which have yet to catch anything.  My main concern was with the honey, and I know there are many parts of the country that have them way worse than I do, but I just curious (after seeing photos of slimed honey frames) if they lay eggs that hatch in the harvested honey.  Correct me if I am wrong, but it doesn't sound like that is a major concern.

[CoolBees]

Here's what I do - I freeze all honey frames (by the super) for 3 to 7 days prior to harvest, just to make sure that any "critters" are dead. Then I thaw and extract.

I've seen wax moths hatch in both honey frames, and collected pollen.

[van from Arkansas]

Cool, Agreed, wax moths everywhere.  I have troubles with empty waxed out frames.

[FatherMichael]

I've only seen a dozen or so SHB (easily eliminated), and none in the trap I set with pollen patty bits and honey.

We have hot and dry weather here, so I wonder if it is a regional problem.

[BeeMaster2]

Heathen,
I have dealt with tens of thousands of SHBs over the years. When you extract, either freeze the frames or extract the honey within 24 hours. I run all of my honey through 5 gallon wine filter. It takes all of the SHB eggs and larvae out.
Jim Altmiller

[cao]

If there is no pollen in your honey frames then the SHB will not lay any eggs.  They need the pollen for the eggs to hatch.  But if your honey frames had brood in them before there may be a cell or two with pollen in it.  That could be a problem. 

[Bob Wilson]

Good information here. Thanks, guys.