The Small Hive Beetle: How to Tackle It and Save Your Beehives
At Vegas Bees, we’ve encountered many threats to hive health, but few are as disruptive as the Small Hive Beetle (SHB). This tiny but destructive pest can compromise both the health of your bees and your honey production. In this guide, we’ll share strategies to manage SHBs and protect your hives from their damage.
What Makes Small Hive Beetles So Dangerous?
The Small Hive Beetle is more than just an annoyance—it’s a formidable pest that can decimate colonies if not managed. Beetles are attracted to active hives where they find ample food, including honey, pollen, and brood (bee larvae).
The real problem begins when SHBs reach the larvae stage. The larvae burrow through comb, consuming brood, honey, and pollen while contaminating everything with their waste. This introduces a yeast, Kodamaea ohmeri, which ferments the honey and causes what beekeepers call a “slimed out” hive.
If left unchecked, the colony may abscond or die as a result.
Understanding the Life Cycle of the Small Hive Beetle
To effectively combat SHBs, it’s crucial to understand their life cycle:
Egg Stage: Female SHBs lay eggs in the cracks and crevices of the hive, often in areas that bees can’t easily patrol. These eggs are highly sensitive to humidity and can hatch in just a few days under optimal conditions.
Larvae Stage: This is where the real damage occurs. The larvae feed on bee brood, honey, and pollen, and their defecation spreads yeast throughout the hive, leading to honey fermentation.
Pupation: Once they are ready to pupate, larvae leave the hive and burrow into moist soil near the hive. Depending on the environment, they pupate in the soil for several weeks before emerging as adult beetles.
Adult Beetles: After emerging from the soil, adult beetles fly back to beehives—sometimes traveling several miles—to lay eggs and repeat the cycle.
Tackling Small Hive Beetles: Prevention and Treatment
SHBs can be challenging, but they’re not unbeatable. The key to managing them lies in a combination of strategies, with an emphasis on prevention.
Practices: Keep a Healthy Hive
A strong, healthy colony is your first defense against SHBs. Bees are naturally vigilant, and colonies that are robust and well-maintained are better equipped to manage beetles. Here’s what you can do:
Reduce Hive Space: If you’re working with a smaller colony, reducing hive space makes it easier for your bees to patrol and defend against SHBs.
Screened Bottom Boards: Although these are primarily used for Varroa mites, they can be helpful by allowing SHB larvae to fall through and get trapped, preventing them from returning to the hive.
Maintain Hive Cleanliness: Regularly inspect your hives and clean out debris. Avoid leaving excess honey or pollen exposed, as this can attract beetles.
Additionally, consider hive placement. Placing hives in areas with dry, sandy soil can make it harder for SHB larvae to pupate, as they thrive in moist environments.
Mechanical Traps: Effective Tools for Beetle Management
Mechanical traps are an excellent chemical-free method to control SHBs. Here are some commonly used traps:
Beetle Jails: These traps are placed inside the hive, attracting adult beetles to enter and preventing them from reaching the comb.
Oil Traps: These traps, which are placed at the hive's bottom, lure beetles into oil, effectively drowning them. This method works well in combination with screened bottom boards.
Screened Bottom Trays: These trays allow larvae to fall through the hive floor and become trapped before they can leave the hive to pupate.
We've found that combining different traps is often more effective than relying on a single method. The combination helps manage both adult beetles and larvae, reducing the overall population in the hive.
Chemical Treatments: Use with Caution
While chemical treatments like CheckMite and Guardstar are sometimes used for pest control in hives, they should be administered cautiously. Always follow manufacturer guidelines closely and monitor your hive for any signs of contamination.
If possible, prioritize non-chemical approaches first and reserve chemical treatments for severe infestations that can’t be controlled by mechanical or cultural methods alone.
Biological Control: Nematodes for Soil Treatment
One of the most innovative ways to manage SHBs is through the use of beneficial nematodes, specifically species like Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. These microscopic worms target SHB larvae in the soil, killing them before they can pupate. This method is highly effective in moist soil environments and offers an eco-friendly solution for controlling SHB populations.
However, in arid climates like ours in the Southwest, nematodes may be less effective unless used in areas with adequate moisture. Make sure to apply them in early mornings or late evenings when the ground is moist for the best results.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A Sustainable Approach
The most effective way to tackle Small Hive Beetles is through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines the practices of mechanical traps, biological controls, and chemical treatments as needed. IPM focuses on prevention first, followed by regular monitoring, and only resorts to chemical treatments when absolutely necessary.
At Vegas Bees, we’ve seen firsthand how IPM can reduce SHB infestations while keeping hives healthy and productive. It requires constant vigilance, but the long-term benefits to your colony's health far outweigh the effort.
Success Story: Bringing a Hive Back from the Brink
Recently, we helped a local beekeeper who was struggling with a severe SHB infestation. One of their hives had already slimed out, and they were worried about losing the rest.
We recommended an IPM strategy that included reducing hive space, installing oil traps, and treating the soil around the hives with beneficial nematodes. Over the next few weeks, beetle numbers dropped significantly, and the remaining colonies began to recover.
By the end of the season, the hives were back to producing honey and thriving again.
Take Action Against SHBs Today
If you suspect Small Hive Beetles in your hives, don't wait for the situation to worsen. These pests can devastate colonies quickly, but with the right tools and techniques, you can fight back. You will need to act asap to protect your bees and keep your hives healthy.
Betsy and Pete
Vegas Bees
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.
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