jaxbees.com Blog

Small hive beetles are causing a lot of problems for beekeepers during this time of year due to  rain and heat  makes the prefect breeding ground.

 The best methods I have found  for controlling Small hive beetles are using oil traps under the screen bottom board and treating the ground  under the hives with morton water (salt) softner pellets. These pellets complishes two thing kills larvea making their way to the ground and it makes and excellent control for weeds in and around the hive.

 Other methods that works very well are Beetle blasters, Beetle Barns and Check Mite.  

Treating the ground with chemical also helps.

If you find frames with small hive beetles  larvea depending on how many small hive beetle larvea are on the frame will determine the course of action you need to take.

Just a few 1-10 the bees will usually clean them out. 20-50 cut the comb or scrap the infected comb out and return to the hive.  Be sure to place the infected comb in a plastic trash bag, freeze it for 24 hours then throw it away.  Over 100 place entire frame into plastic trash bag,  freeze for 24-48 hours and return it to the hive the bees will clean out the dead larvea.

Especially during the July, August queens slow down on their egg laying due to lack of nectar and pollen.  To help your queen egg laying feeded sugar water and protein patties.

If she is an old queen replace place with a new queen.

I hope you will all enjoy using this forum to share beekeeping idea’s and news.