Small Hive Beetle question

Boom Buzz · May 29, 2009, 12:21:14 AM

I've noticed two black beetles in front of my hive about one week apart - one today, one a week ago. They are about the same size as a worker bee. My understanding is that SHBs are about one third the size of a bee. Do I have this correct? Both beetles look the same and seem too big to be an SHB. I had opened about two weeks ago and did not notice anything unusual, though I was not looking specifically for SHB evidence per se. My gut says two beetles in front of the hive means there is probably an issue. Are there other beetle pests to be aware of?

Thanks for any insight!

John

Pond Creek Farm · May 29, 2009, 12:33:03 AM

SHB that I have seen are not large at all and do not even approach the size of a bee. I am unaware of other beetle pests, but I do see roach like creatures around the top cover from time to time.

sc-bee · May 29, 2009, 12:51:33 AM

No SHB that large, yet :shock:!!!

indypartridge · May 29, 2009, 08:54:39 AM

It's not unusual for me to see a few beetles when I open a hive. No big deal. SHB are small - a bit smaller than a grain of rice.

tlynn · May 29, 2009, 09:32:52 AM

I don't believe SHB would reproduce in your climate. They are from Africa and need more temperate or tropical climates. We have plenty of them here.

Boom Buzz · May 29, 2009, 10:34:31 AM

Okay! Thanks All! I guess these were a couple of random beetles that just happen to be at the same place near the hive. tlynn, I was wondering about climate when I saw SHB are from Africa, however I did get a package this year from California so I wasn't sure if they may have come in with the package. I think I will wait until my next planned inspection, which is in two weeks, rather than go in early. I appreciate the comments - it relieves my concerns!

Thanks

John :)

sc-bee · May 29, 2009, 02:14:44 PM

Do a search on shb and check in the disease and pest section of the forum. Alot of threads on shb.

Doby45 · May 30, 2009, 11:25:54 AM

If it was that big it would have to be reclassified as a LHB (LARGE Hive Bettle) :-D

charlotte · May 30, 2009, 08:14:44 PM

Just found out that we have Sap beetles here in WI. I was worried it was SHB too. There is a thread going about it in the "disease & pest" section with a picture of one. Just FYI.... :-D

greenismycolor · May 31, 2009, 12:02:32 PM

SHB are small compared to the girls. They are black and they fly. They lay their eggs in the comb of the hive where they grow to their larva stage. Then they feed. Last year I found lots of adult beetles on the enter cover each time I opened it, and crawling on the frames. The end of June and the first of July I found 3 handfuls of larva on the bottom board. If you see only 2 or 3 adults I wouldn't be to concerned (if your hive is strong) the girls seem to know how to take care of the problem. Do keep a close eye as they seem to come out of no where. Kill all that you see. I lost my hive.
For pictures see this

http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=picture+of+small+hive+beetle&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=hZsiSqWsFYOitwev_-jGBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.agr.state.nc.us/plantindustry/Plant/apiary/images/smallhivebeetleBIG.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.agr.state.nc.us/plantindustry/Plant/apiary/hivebee.html&usg=__zkRIifdZ_Z5azHahVXoazpAha9w=&h=850&w=1100&sz=451&hl=en&start=17&um=1&tbnid=Dz_MbAJPVGaUeM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsmall%2Bhive%2Bbeetle%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1

wish you luck
patti