Hive beetles in stored equipment
Small hive beetles (SHB) are significant pests of honeybee colonies and stored beekeeping equipment. SHB larvae tunnel through combs, feeding on honey, pollen, and brood, causing damage and fermentation. In stored equipment, SHB can quickly multiply and destroy wax combs, making them unusable. Infestations in stored equipment are often overlooked but can lead to significant losses if not managed. Prevention and control measures are crucial to protect stored combs and prevent SHB from infesting bee colonies. Stored equipment, especially drawn combs with pollen or honey residue, provides ideal breeding grounds for SHB.
- Freezing equipment3
Freezing stored beekeeping equipment is a highly effective method to kill small hive beetle (SHB) eggs and larvae. Storing frames and hive boxes in a deep freezer at temperatures below freezing for 24 to 48 hours is sufficient to eradicate SHB pests. This method is particularly practical for…
📌 diy4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Deep freezer
- Sulfur strips4
Using sulfur strips for fumigation is a chemical method to control small hive beetles (SHB) and wax moths in stored beekeeping equipment. Sulfur strips, when burned in airtight stacks of stored equipment, release sulfur dioxide gas, which is toxic to SHB and wax moth pests. This method is effective…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Sulfur strips, airtight containers
- Good storage practices3
Implementing good storage practices is a preventative approach to minimize small hive beetle (SHB) and wax moth infestations in stored beekeeping equipment. Storing equipment in clean, dry, and well-ventilated areas reduces the attractiveness of stored combs to pests. Minimizing pollen and honey…
📌 none4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ None