Small hive beetles (SHB)
Small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) are invasive pests that damage honey bee colonies by feeding on honey, pollen, and brood. SHB larvae tunnel through combs, causing fermentation and structural damage that can make honey unmarketable. Infestations are most severe in warm, humid climates and in weak or stressed colonies.
- Use in-hive beetle traps3
Place beetle traps inside hive boxes to capture adult SHB and reduce their population. Oil traps (such as the Beetle Blaster or Beetle Jail) fit between top bars and drown beetles in vegetable oil. Bottom board traps use a tray of oil beneath a screened board to catch beetles that bees chase…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ Beetle traps (Beetle Blaster, Beetle Jail, or similar), vegetable oil or mineral oil
- Install screened bottom boards3
Replace solid bottom boards with screened versions that have a removable monitoring tray beneath a #8 hardware cloth screen. Bees chase SHB downward, and beetles and larvae that fall through the screen cannot climb back up to the comb.
📌 commercial📌 best practice4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ Screened bottom board, monitoring tray, vegetable oil
- Maintain strong colonies to resist SHB4
Keep colonies populous and healthy so bees can actively corral, harass, and expel adult beetles faster than they can reproduce. A strong colony of 40,000+ bees will confine beetles to corners and crevices, preventing them from laying eggs on comb.
📌 best practice📌 free4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ None
- Apply diatomaceous earth around hive bases2
Spread a ring of food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) on the ground around each hive base, creating a continuous barrier 5-10 cm wide. SHB larvae leave the hive to pupate in the soil, and DE kills them before they can complete their life cycle and return as adults.
📌 diy📌 organic📌 low cost4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ Food-grade diatomaceous earth, powder duster