Freezing equipment

Place stored frames and hive boxes in a deep freezer set to -18°C (0°F) or below for at least 48 hours to kill all small hive beetle (SHB) eggs, larvae, and adults. This non-chemical approach works well for managing smaller batches of equipment removed during inspections or honey harvests.

Why It Works

Small hive beetle eggs and larvae cannot survive sustained freezing temperatures. A full 48-hour freeze at -18°C ensures complete kill of all life stages, including eggs embedded in comb. The process leaves no chemical residue and does not damage wax combs or wooden equipment.

Tips

• Seal equipment in plastic bags before freezing to prevent moisture condensation on thawing
• Allow frozen equipment to dry completely before returning it to storage or hive use
• Freeze frames promptly after extraction rather than leaving them exposed where beetles can lay eggs
• For large operations, consider a dedicated chest freezer sized for full supers