Episode #77 Layens Hive Slimed

Broken comb laying on the floor gave a way for hive beetles to lay eggs and take over hive.

[@Bennett5363]

I'm going to be adding a small square of an unscented swifter cloth to the bottom of the hive. Apparently beetles have barbed legs and get stuck to the pad while bees don't.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

I believe that would be worth a try especially in the top bar and layens hive thanks for the comment

[@teresagunter769]

I’m so sorry…. It hurts my heart for you and the bees.

[@olusegunadebayo5306]

Happened to my horizontal langstroth hive too, I have to start afresh with new comb and use an oil stand.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

Was yours a layens hive also? What do you mean by an oil stand?

[@runningdogapiary5009]

Do you still think you'll like the Layens hive? How have your topbars been performing? Sorry for your loss.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

Lost 2 Layens hive this summer that looked very similar. Not sure if it was the hive beetles or the hives over heated from the 100 degree days and had comb failure which allowed the beetles to infest. My other Layen hive I opened up top venting and it has been fine.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

I believe I am gonna have to add top vents to my two layens hives. I am interested in knowing did you use wired frames or did you have a dowel rod across it? I’m currently trying some different ideas on my frames to see which the bees fill out the best comb.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

@@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107 Sounds like a good suggestion, maybe I will try to put wood dowel in mine this winter. May I ask you do you use a divider board and if yes, does it close tight or is there space on the bottom for bee passage?

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

@@Michael-yl2iq my layens hives I built have 17 frames and 1 divider board with a small gap at bottom. I have noticed that if I have a few hive beetles, the bees do a pretty good job of keeping them on other side of follower board. I made a video earlier this year on my design check it out and share your thoughts. I just recently changed a couple of frames and put the dowel rod vertical and coated with wax. I’m hoping that the bees will build straight and stiffer comb, maybe helping against comb collapses.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

@@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107 So you use a vertical verse horizontal support rod. I would have thought horizontal but guess the vertical would help too. What diameter rod? I leave a 3/8 space under my divider board and like you said the bees chase beetles over to that side. Leaving the space has allowed me to place vents on that side of the divider board so there is some ventilation. Thanks and I will watch your videos.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

I just converted two of my 34 frames to vertical dowel rods quarter inch instead of horizontal. It was mentioned to me by a viewer and I thought that makes sense maybe the bees will build straighter comb and it gives them more support for attachment I’m just waiting to see how the bees fill it out before I convert anymore.

[@iowalayensbeekeeping]

I had one like that this month. Didn’t see it coming. The bees absconded to a swarm trap and are staring over with half a colony. I used bleach and dawn as well.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

Glad you were able to at least get half your colony back. By chance are your frames wired or did you have a dowel rod and starter strip?

[@iowalayensbeekeeping]

I use standard wired frames with 1/4” waxed wood starter strip. I deploy every other frame with wax foundation.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

@@iowalayensbeekeeping I was hoping the wired frames would solve this problem. Do you think that the good spring for honey and the excessive heat that it wouldn’t matter what kind of frames you would have? If so I may have to think about ways to keep the hive cooler from abnormal heat conditions.

[@iowalayensbeekeeping]

Frame details wouldn’t mater for hive beetles. They lay eggs in brood. Wooden frames don’t have places for beetles to hide like Langstroth plastic frames. I thought the bees had a better chance to manage them. Also my hive was in full sun. I thought that helped minimize hive beetles. I guess I have more to learn about the critters.

[@gregw3437]

You should be using the Layens hive with follower boards and keeping the colony tight (only on the frames they cover well). But not doing so, you have too much space which the bees can not control - hence the SHB problem.

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

Greg I was working my hive as you have mentioned. What I was not prepared for was the excessive heat and comb collapse in which gave room for the hive beetles to grow. It definitely was a valuable lesson learned. It’s been an interesting year for beekeeping here in southern Illinois. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@bjduvall227]

Have you tried DE (diatomaceous earth) under your hives?

[@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107]

I have used that on my garden. I did not know about using it around your hives, would it kill both Beetles and Larve?

[@iowalayensbeekeeping]

DE is a preventative for future beetles. DE in screen bottom trays can get them before they get to the ground.

[@bjduvall227]

@@simplytopbarbeekeeping2107 Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. It remains effective as long as it is kept dry and undisturbed. I reapply it after every rain.