SHB "Bang off" into tray of soapy water???

Bees In Miami · October 20, 2012, 12:36:30 AM

OK...I'm going crazy now ... Going to do a combine tomorrow of a cut out that really had a SHB problem, and I could SWEAR I read a post on here about 'banging out' the SHB from the frames over a container of soapy water with 1/4" screen over the top. It sounded extremely logical to me at the time, and I built my "bang out" trap tonight...Now I can find the post to reinforce what was suggested. :? Ideas any and all? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

AllenF · October 20, 2012, 10:45:29 PM

Don't knock any bees in soapy water. It's not good for them either.

Bees In Miami · October 20, 2012, 11:33:14 PM

No worries AllenF...I made a complete 1/4" screen covering that kinda snaps onto the top of a plastic tub/container. No bees in danger. ;) Anxious to see how it works. Thanks for the reply.

AllenF · October 21, 2012, 09:28:55 AM

Take pics

RHBee · February 06, 2013, 05:22:10 AM

How did it go?

Moots · February 06, 2013, 10:51:52 AM

I'm I missing something or would 1/4" not be too big...hence, allowing bees through?

I would have though that you would have had to use like a #8 mesh (1/8" holes) to assure no bee loss!

Joe D · February 06, 2013, 11:15:26 AM

Good catch Moots.

Joe

RHBee · February 06, 2013, 11:41:49 AM

I was thinking the same thing.

vmmartin · February 06, 2013, 11:51:51 PM

I did it with #8 cloth last year. Worked pretty well but some of the beetles would try to fly off and I would have to grind their little crunchy bodies through the sharp galvanized surface of the cloth. Which was really groovy. IMO this helps to do a quick reduction in adult beetle population and give the bees a chance to get ahead of them. The hive I did seemed to do better but still absconded this winter.