Beekeeping Nightmare: Silent Threat Of Small Hive Beetle

Beekeeping has many challenges but one that is tough to solve is a nasty pest that is harder to control than mites!
LIVESTREAM EVERY THURSDAY AT 7 p.m. Central Time. Here's the link:
www.honeybeesonline.com/live
KZbin Merch such as stickers and BeekSquad coffee mugs: www.honeybeeso...
Feeding Your Bees During The Dearth Makes All The Difference In The World For Your Bees. Here's the link to our fall feeding board: www.honeybeeso...
Also, add our additives when you feed your bees: www.honeybeeso...
BEETEAM6 INFO: CURRENTLY FILLED TO CAPACITY! Thank you.
❤️👍I want to be your personal mentor. My mentoring community, BeeTeam6 is filled to capacity! www.honeybeeso...
ULTIMATE ONLINE BEEKEEPING COURSE
✅ If you are new to beekeeping or you keep failing, I strongly recommend you take my Ultimate ONLINE Beekeeping Course. This bundle includes all 7 of my online courses: Beginning Beekeeping, Mite Control, Spring: SurvivAL, Supering, swarms & Splits, Advanced Beekeeping, My Popular Queen Rearing Course, A Day In The Apiary With Me and How To Get Your Bees Through The Winter. Here's the link:
www.honeybeeso...
Subscribe To My Channel Please & Hit My Notification Bell:
www.youtube.co...
COFFEE MUGS: www.honeybeeso...
My FREE Downloadable "Raising Quality Queen Bees" book: www.uaex.uada....
MY INSTAGRAM: / longlanehoneybees
👀Take a look at our book that Sheri and I wrote, Backyard Beekeeping from our website and we will autograph it for you:
www.honeybeeso...
💯OUR ONLINE BEEKEEPING CLASSES:
www.honeybeeso...
Check out my Inspection Guide which you can download and print off to help guide you on your hive inspections:
www.honeybeeso...
Take my online beekeeping course on "GETTING YOUR BEES THROUGH THE WINTER.” Enjoy this online course from the comfort of your home. Save the gas money, and watch my course on your one time, in the privacy of your home. Learn at your own pace! Here's the link:
www.honeybeeso...
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description might be affiliate links which means if you purchase a product or service using a link I provide, I may receive a small commission. There is no extra charge to you. Thank you so much for supporting my channel which enables me to continue to produce more videos for you.
Hive Tour | The Insider's Guide to Honey Bees: amzn.to/44ZIelF
Refractometer: amzn.to/476TCh5
J-Hook Hive Tool: amzn.to/3KBW8mv
Burlap: amzn.to/3IMU0ra
Microscope Camera: amzn.to/3IkkvDY
Pollen Substitute Powder: amzn.to/3lxJhaC
💪BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES I RECOMMEND:
Honey Bandit: amzn.to/3pBPNMx
Pollen Powder: amzn.to/3Qo35XZ
Robber Screen: amzn.to/3Qo3idJ
My Yellow Rubber Gloves: amzn.to/3SZmFLM
Beeswax: amzn.to/3FWfVXY
🌻FEED YOUR BEES:
Plan ahead for spring. Feed your bees in the spring by using my Feeding board known as the Burns Bees Feeder. Safely feed your bees from the top. Great way to help you build up your bees of winter physiology. Check it out:
www.honeybeeso...
Feeding Additives:
www.honeybeeso...
Pollen Powder: amzn.to/3Qo35XZ
📬If you'd like to send something to add to the store front to spruce up my back drop, send it to David Burns, PO BOX 254, Catlin, IL 61817
Whoa, you made it all the way down here! Thank you ♥️ Love you

[@laureldoherty9363]

I find beer attracts and drowns the beetles.

[@beebob1279]

Beer is a terrible thing to waste. But thanks. I might try that next year

[@dlwood81]

Hi David, I’m in southern Vt and keep one hive. I’m a new beekeeper but so far I haven’t seen a single beetle. Hope it stays that way 🤞🏻

[@44thala49]

Secret to not having problems: don’t just rely on one control method. Use multiple ones simultaneously, including ground treatment around the hives.

[@MauiSeedscom]

I am a new Bee Keeper out here in Maui, Hawaii. I lured a wild swarm of Bees to first hive. Small Hive Beetles were a major issue at first until we did a few things to help keep their numbers down. 1.Manually kill all Beetles every inspection. 2.Beetle Traps in every brood box. 3.Installed 'Guardian' Bee Hive entrances for each hive. I did try using 'Swiffer' pads to catch the beetles at first but the pads seemed to snag the Bees too, so I stopped using those. The above methods have helped tremendously keeping the Beetles out of our hives. I went from pretty upset about the beetles to very pleased we got rid of 99% of them. (Thank you for your videos/information).

[@PRINCESSDREAMYLYN]

why not use chickens to control pests around the hives the protein feed the chickens and helps the bees all at the same time. may not work for huge apiaries but for the small back yard bee keeper it should be a blessing to both chickens bee's and those who keep bee's. Build a coop near the bee's then build the run part where the bee hives are, use roofing tin around the bottom with a wire mesh on the ground to keep varmints from digging under, then use a 2 inch welded wire or chain link fencing around the top portion so the bees can come and go easily, cover the top with wire or solid roof in part or completely leaving sides open, this could even be done with quail because quail also eat ants if it's more open at the bottom a smaller mesh size could be used at the bottom. Also when i was a child we kept quail with our chickens in the same coop. We would let the chickens out in the day to run free and kept the quail inside. both are natural options to depopulate the hive beetles and ants as well as other pests even moths. It's simply a suggestion for another alternative to chemicals by those who prefer not to use them. the run with the bee hives give the bees the sun they need and the chickens extra food. Win Win Win for everyone ♥

[@jamesbarron1202]

Here in Texas our fireants eat the quail instead of the other way around. I haven’t seen a quail since the early 90s and before then I heard them almost daily.

[@georgebaumann1]

Because then the hawks and foxes will eat my chickens

[@thomaskoppenhaver2758]

I've never seen a small hive beetle in far northern MN. It's nice to be able to use bee escapes in the supers.

[@johnnybstuddd4482]

Here in Georgia SHB can be a big problem. One of my hives always gets more than the others. I always use the beetle blaster traps putting oil in them. I always keep at least 1 battle blaster with oil in it in every hive, even if there isn't a problem. I usually spray the weeds around the hives with a vinegar, salt with Dawn detergent mixuture, so I will spray that on the ground around the hives and that seems to help also. I think the vinegar and salt mixture kills the SHB larvae when they try to get into the ground. But I do agree to use a few different methods to keep them at bay and start in the spring and dont wait till they get bad to start treating them.

[@jogriffiths4797]

I was taught to use a piece of linoleum on the top of the super frames, cut so there's a gap of around one inch all around, and lay it shiny side up and furry side down. The beetles get caught in the underside, so I can easily smash them when I open up my hives.

[@esauer1014]

Good evening, sir!! I'm just over here in Springfield, and I noticed more last year than this year. I even lost a hive to those pesky critters!!! It was devastating!! So this season, I've been vigilant on looking for them, and I believe I am having some success!! The item I think is helpful is the starlight peppermints!!! I just unwrap them and place in the corners of the boxes!!! Thank you for taking the time and sharing and educating us in the different ways of beekeeping!!!

[@UltFrizz]

South African people say you shouldn't smash the beetles as the smell of a dead beetle attract more. And they would know, they have been dealing with them longer then anyone

[@phyllisflorian3540]

Small hive beetles in August inspection, in one of four hives. Also learned at that time that fruit in compost (about 10 ft. from that affected hive) may contribute to the increase of SHB. Smashed the SHBs that I could. Treated with oil traps, also added SHB fabric patches. Last inspection of the season - didn't see any.... hoping, but cautious.

[@phyllisflorian3540]

(SW Michigan)

[@user-fi4my4gy1s]

Add to oil in a beetle blaster a small amount of beer. Recently saw a great presentation on this method. The smell of beer is similar to the slime fermentation and draws the beetles to the trap. Must an oil/beer mix to attract and drown the SHB.

[@coradoss3500]

Both of our hives just absconded even after we added the small hive beetle traps into our hives.

[@LocalBuzzLLC]

I had no shb all year until early August. Then found 2 when I was harvesting honey. Put in Swiffer pads middle August and caught about 7 more by the end of September. Haven't caught any since. Over 3 hives

[@alexandraforrisi4353]

We are on Long Island in NY and we haven’t seen any in our two hives but we do hear about other people seeing them in theirs on Long Island

[@user-kk4ry5mr9u]

Hi Dave. I enjoy your videos very much. We are in far northern NY and only see SHB on nucs that come from the south. I don’t think they have figured out how to survive one of our winters. 🤞

[@marobroski2286]

Dziękujemy.

[@beek]

Thanks!

[@caz4523]

I have the Swifer sheets in my hives and it works to catch the beetles. I then used the Murder Sauce and no longer see hive beetles anywhere.. I also put a 20 mil tarp under my hives so nothing can go into the ground and reproduce..I live in Florida

[@NSpinar]

Small hive beetle is worse this year in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia than was last year.

[@hannasbees]

Great video about small hive beetles! I feel like we put them on the back burner because of the varroa mites.

[@erehwon9371]

I coat my bottom board insert with a film of cooking oil or vasoline. To combat hive beetles, during the winter. I use the oil tray traps on top, between brood frames. Seems to work.

[@halfasshuntingclub5330]

Have been terrible in Southern Illinois. Lost 2 hives.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Treat the soil with Heterorhabditis Indica (H. Indica) and Steinernema Riobrave (S. Riobrave). Most bee keepers don't treat the soil to stop small hive beetle. The more hives together the more small hive beetle in the soil. Hive beetle reproduces in the soil. You can treat the hive but if you don't treat the soil you won't get rid of them.

[@beek]

I did mention nematodes and almost mentioned those two.

[@beebob1279]

I'm in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the beetles are a problem. If my hives are in the shade the beetles are out of control. I'm working on a trap for the hives because those silly little traps that the bee companies are selling are lousy. they catch a few beetles and that's it.

[@Dcolbyable]

I am in South Carolina and have noticed a BIG bump in hive beetles. I use “swifter” dusting sheets to capture the beetles as well as beetle oil traps. When I open my hives I do smash as man as I can

[@howdydoody6634]

Hi David: I use a 'AA' battery to squash the beetles. Your buddy Jeff in NJ!

[@erinmiller5005]

I haven’t seen SHB in my 4 hives but will continue to keep a lookout for them. Monterey County, California.

[@scottreese5492]

Of all the dozens of methods ive used....the best most effective is soft peppermint broken up and scattered across top of frames. Also peppermint oil emulsified in a spray bottle and sprayed around hives. Other methods that have worked: full sun,no landing board on front of hive, diatomaceous earth in beetle tray, not leaving to much space in hive, plastic barrier under hives with crusher run rock on top.

[@sheilagarrick]

Hello, 1st time beekeeper in Upstate SC, I have 2 hives and have seen beetles in both. We have a tarp under the hives. I have been managing with traps, and crushing with hive tool. You have made this sound much worse than my local supple store indicated. Given that I've seen beetles at the hast 3 inspections (over 7 weeks) I'm concerned about what I'll see when I open them this week. Both hives are (have been) healthy and strong, one has a larger population and are more active/aggressive than the other.

[@JPatton679]

Smithland, Iowa. 2nd year bee keeper. 1st year had just a few. This year I haven't spotted one. We were in a severe drought almost all year so I wonder if that has had an impact. Curious to see what transpires next year.

[@user-me9qz7zt1q]

We also saw a lot of fuzzy black spiders. Mostly on the inside of the outer lid. Super creepy.....

[@user-gx1ie7js5s]

SHB contributed to my 1 hive absconding

[@user-jd6rj8zm1q]

I am from Glencoe, Ky. I had 3 of my 4 hives that ended up being wiped out by Small Hive Beetle. So I am relocating my apiary and treating the ground and covering the ground also.

[@bradgoliphant]

Here in NY, we are starting to see more where years ago there were none.

[@sailingfc]

I'm in the SF Bay Area (CA) and have one hive. Earlier in the year I saw one SHB and killed it. I have since put in the 'beetle blaster' trap as well as using Swiffer sheets. I haven't seen or caught another beetle yet.

[@curiouscoy492]

Coastal GA, SHB constant threat. Help from beekeeper can push down population until bee population is strong enough to handle SHBs themselves. DE bait in traps and fiber squares are useful tools. (1st year beekeeper, observed a hive previous year)

[@sethcook9549]

Hey David, I haven't noticed many small hive beetles so much as pincher bugs in NH. These have mostly been found in the inside of the top cover. I kill them when I can but there always seem to be between 4-8 each time. 🤔

[@LindaSullivan-sw3mv]

I'm near Kansas City and have seen a huge increase in small hive beetles and am struggling to get the numbers down.

[@jasonsouther5333]

North Georgia….tons of SHB

[@user-me9qz7zt1q]

We lost 1 of 3 hives and I think it was due to the SHB. We saw several dead beetles and a few larvae that I thought were wax moths but now.....the other 2 seem to be doing well. It didn't get as bad as you were saying, no slime, but the bees left.

[@stanfkd]

Thank you David! I’m doing lots of research and planning on starting my first hive in 2024. Your you tube videos are by far the best for learning for me. You and Sherrie keep up the good work and I’ll keep watching and learning. Looking forward to the 24 season!

[@user-yu5fr5jg5g]

Hi David, any thoughts about Diatomaceous earth. I've heard that it's not harmful to bees

[@SouthAfricanhoneybees]

I just lost a hive to the beetles. I hate them. I am in South Africa.

[@stevewelches1955]

Not related to this vedio. We have had cold Temps in Indiana for a while and today it is 62. So I went to my hive to see if they were takeing deficating flights.much to my surprise they were doing orientation flights by the 100's. Is that normal this time of year? 1st year beekeeper and never seen any thing about it happening this late

[@ginapicciolo3228]

Can you avoid this by not putting your hive so close to the ground?

[@ko-f6703]

I’m a new/first year beekeeper in the very northeast of Massachusetts on Cape Ann, about a 1/4 from the harbor - Rockport, MA. I checked every inspection this year for any non-bee guests in my 2 hives and until my last inspection on 28 October, I hadn’t seen even one beetle or wax moth. FYI - I have screen bottoms. I thought I was just very lucky but now I’m very concerned. We’ve just moved into the 40s for regular temperatures and even went into the mid-30s a couple of nights. Can I treat for the beetles now? If so, how? I have the beetle traps that fit between the frames to fill with oil but have heard/read so much conflicting information about the efficacy of the oil traps 😖 Help please.

[@andidhamo583]

How about Clothianidin, to fight SHB, David, google it and make a video

[@sharonc.2207]

Speaking of new inventions, have you tried out the "bee gym"?

[@beek]

I have studied it but never in a hive.

[@wolfiemom7648]

Bee gym???

[@jimmyc451]

what's the best way to control ants

[@georgebaumann1]

Worst year ever. I had to resort to ground pesticides to break the cycle. Been keeping bees since 1989.

[@jamesbarron1202]

There's a website where it shows how to make a 4 sided rectangle out of 4 pieces of wood and a window screen bottom. The inside of the wood is lined with sandpaper to prevent the larvae from climbing the wood walls. It's mounted under the hive entrance (attached to bottom board) to catch the larvae before they drop to the soil. The screen bottom is just for rain to pass through. The larvae apparently can't climb sandpaper but they can climb wood.

[@petersteciow3724]

Cincinnati OH yes HB is a real problem. Beetle traps and unscented swifter sheets , plus hive tool. This pest takes constant management and replacement tools. Keep up the great videos. It is all the Bee Keepers working together to educate everyone and keep pressure on the pests. Like removing swifter and placing in oil, or soapy water. We have got to do better than 50% colony loses according to academic studies annually.

[@SIBEEMAN]

Hi David, I’m in Staten Island NY and have had SHB since 2019. It ranges from a few to many year to year. I’ve tried diatomaceous earth on the ground, beetle blasters, swiffer pads taped to the sticky board. I currently use only swiffer pads on top of frames and inner cover. I did have a slime out last year. Yuck! My hives are all strong and still no luck sometimes. Even in the winter I’ve seen them staying warm in the cluster! I wish we had an answer to get rid of them!

[@markdodson1773]

First year bee keeper, i have not seen the fist beetle yet, but i know by next ill probably see it, i only have 2 hives, and looking to expand, thanks for the great info you out out

[@user-vw5nv5et1t]

Hi David. I’ve taken your online course 3 years ago and have had great success so far. However, late this summer I noticed many more SHB in both of my hives. I’m in Philadelphia. I treated the hives with traps. Two weeks ago, both hives absconded. After watching this video, I think it may have been due to the SHB. No slime or beetles found when I cleaned out the hive. Is the honey that was capped in the supers still safe to consume? 20:03

[@jamesodiear1030]

SHB ran 1 hive out of their box.

[@brianw.520]

Aiken SC, I DEFINITELY have issues with small hive beetle. They are hiding in the honey cells. I put pool salt down on the ground beneath to keep them from pupating and have beetle barns and beetle blasters but those darn critters are still resilient. I do have them in semi shade, no real choice because of where I live, I don't have a spot that is pure sun. I may have to clear off a lot more property to facilitate that

[@FatGuyinLittleShirt]

We see quite a few in San Leon tx

[@Peter-od7op]

I am in va beetles are a huge problem

[@lawrencewright1666]

I lost a hive i had combined just a week ago. went to check on them and they were dead and shb larve every where dead also

[@5keet9]

Thank you the informative video.

[@kellyhazzard7264]

I'm in Corvallis, Oregon but haven't seen any SHB yet. I have 1 weak hive and 1 strong hive.

[@toadrepublic]

Hello from Chico in northern California. My hive has a moderate population of SHB. Weekly hive inspections to kill the larvae and adults, and remove/replace any protein patties has been helpful. Edit: The pollen patty acts as a sort of an attractant for the eggs and larvae, replaced weekly.

[@brendajenkins5264]

I recently saw shb in my hive.. coastal NC

[@slava790]

Have not seen small beehive beetles. I am in central Massachusetts.

[@petersteciow3724]

What time of year is best when using Guard-star?

[@jedsackett5255]

I only have 4 hives . The only hive I have a beetle problem with is my largest hive which is strange. I'll find out tomorrow if my strategy to cut them back as worked.

[@JClockwork13]

Anyone have experience with the beetle buster bottom board? Waste of money?

[@victorkulynycz1397]

Eastern Shore of Maryland 20 hives currently. Had 1 hive abscond this summer that had hundreds of SHB every inspection couldn't get them under control. Have them in every hive but 1 other hive seems serious .

[@user-vw5nv5et1t]

Hi David. I’ve taken your online course 3 years ago and have had great success so far. However, late this summer I noticed many more SHB in both of my hives. I’m in Philadelphia. I treated the hives with traps. Two weeks ago, both hives absconded. After watching this video, I think it may have been due to the SHB. No slime or beetles found when I cleaned out the hive. Is the honey that was capped in the supers still safe to consume?

[@wolfiemom7648]

Mt.Hood Oregon 3 gives 1 strong,2 a bit weaker put the swifter pads after seeing 3 or 4in the strongest

[@unclereefer37]

looks to me like you might consider introducing centipedes,Shockingly effective monsters for other bug issues. NO first hand knowledge but worth the test

[@LIL-RED-BIRD]

I’m southern Ontario Canada near the city of Peterborough small hive beetles have been spotted south of me last year, it’s a reportable pest.

[@blackberry5908]

When do you start seeing them early spring ?

[@jeffreyratter6504]

Beetles destroyed two hives in the last weeks. I have 13 hives in Santa Barbara, CA.

[@SouthMapper]

First