The Small Hive Beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, is a persistent pest for beekeepers, capable of causing substantial damage to a honey bee colony. These beetles quickly destroy stored honey, pollen, and brood by feeding and defecating, creating a slimy, fermenting mess that may cause the bees to abandon the hive. Beekeepers rely on internal hive traps as a targeted control measure since strong colonies struggle to eliminate the beetles completely. The effectiveness of these traps lies entirely in the specific materials placed inside them, which function to both attract the pest and ensure its elimination.
Understanding the Internal Trap Mechanics
Internal hive beetle control often focuses on reservoir traps, which are small, specialized containers placed directly between the frames inside the hive. Common examples include the Beetle Blaster and the Beetle Jail, designed with narrow slits or entry points on the top. These openings are large enough for the small hive beetle to enter but too small for the larger honey bees, ensuring only the target pest is captured.
The principle behind these reservoir traps is twofold, requiring two distinct substances: a lure and a drowning agent. The lure entices the beetles to approach and enter the trap. Once inside, the drowning agent prevents the beetles from escaping and ensures their death. This system exploits the beetles’ tendency to hide and their attraction to fermentation odors.
The Primary Attractant Mixture
The small hive beetle is naturally drawn to the smell of fermentation, which mimics the environment of a stressed hive. The primary attractant mixture utilizes this biological preference to lure the beetles into the trap reservoir. A common homemade bait centers on apple cider vinegar (ACV), which provides the initial acidic and fruity scent.
A typical recipe involves mixing a half-cup of ACV with a quarter-cup of sugar and one cup of water. A small piece of ripe fruit, such as a banana peel, is sometimes added to increase the attractant’s potency. This mixture must be allowed to ferment for about two weeks before use, generating the volatile organic compounds that beetles find irresistible.
Commercial attractant lures are also available as an alternative. These proprietary baits often use a synthetic version of the compounds that naturally attract the beetles. Whether homemade or commercial, the attractant is placed in the trap to draw the beetles in, setting the stage for the second component to take effect.
Choosing the Drowning Agent
The second substance placed inside the reservoir trap is the drowning agent, designed to trap and kill the beetle once it has entered. This agent is typically a cooking oil, such as canola or vegetable oil, or mineral oil. The oil functions because it has a low surface tension and a slick texture that prevents the beetle from gaining traction on the trap’s sides or the oil’s surface.
When the beetle falls into the oil, it is quickly coated, leading to suffocation. This method is superior to using water, as the small hive beetle can swim or crawl out of plain water, rendering the trap ineffective. Mineral oil is often preferred over vegetable oils because it is less prone to becoming rancid, which can reduce the trap’s long-term effectiveness.
The oil is generally poured into the outer wells of traps, surrounding the lure if the trap has separate compartments. It is important to only partially fill the reservoir, usually one-third to one-half full, to prevent spillage onto the frames or bees.
Maintenance and Disposal of Trap Contents
Effective control requires routine maintenance of the traps, as the attractant’s potency diminishes and the reservoir fills with dead pests. Traps should be checked and serviced every one to two weeks, with more frequent checks necessary during periods of high infestation or heat. High temperatures can cause the liquid contents to evaporate more quickly and accelerate the decomposition of the captured beetles.
The combination of dead beetles, oil, and spent lure must be disposed of safely to prevent attracting other pests to the apiary. The contents should be poured into a sealed container or bag, away from the hive location, and disposed of in household waste. Simply pouring the contents onto the ground near the hive is not advised, as the mixture could potentially attract other beetles or pests.
When refilling, the trap should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris or propolis buildup that may obstruct the beetle entry points. Reapplying fresh oil and lure is crucial because a trap full of dead beetles can become less appealing to new arrivals over time. Regular replacement ensures the trap maintains its maximum attractive and lethal capacity throughout the season.