SHB Trap That WORKS!

In this video I go over some of the small hive beetle control methods we use in our beeyard. I tell you what works for us and what has not worked.

[@if_a_tree_falls]

For bait we use a mix of boric acid and honey. Do not use this if you have honey supers on. Another alternative bait would be diatomaceous earth and honey.

[@fredbeiderbecke1872]

Can you tell us what ratio you use for the honey/DE mixture?

[@ahyeshumans5576]

Fred Beiderbecke n

[@akbychoice]

Diatomaceous Earth, Sugar and Boric Acid mixed together in equal amounts.

[@Ulfgarius]

I can also recommend cooking oil and vinegar in 50/50 mix. The vinegar really attracts them and the oil finishes them.

[@tclarkst]

Thank You! I get a few in my hives.

[@rffree]

tape closed or it can come open when removing

[@rafaelpozosbilingualinsura9420]

What bait do you use?? Thank you

[@rodneyspears7536]

great info. I love your accent!

[@southernexposure123]

Thank you for the video. I have a terrible SHB problem. I use some of the methods you showed and I just incorporated a different method for getting a head start killing SHB during Autumn. My most recent video shows the basics of what I'm doing now and will repeat as often as possible during any warm t-shirt days between now and Spring. I plan on repeating the process until I see a dramatic decrease in my SHB population.

[@roycarter6235]

That was an excellent video. Thank you

[@Xray.71]

Holy shit you got a shb problem! (Well when you put this vid out)……. Just buy or build your own bottom board with a screen and pull out tray that you’re able to fill up with DE……. I guess more tools for the toolbox!

[@George-nx5lo]

Also will never tell anyone not to where full suite but your bees look very docile. I hate the veil more than anything, its so much harder to search for eggs or see anything really. Im young and have perfect vision so I understand why others wouldn't want to. Little more exciting being expose toO! haha until you get stung, but I have yet to have one of my bees sting me.

[@BlakesNaturelife]

Thank you for the help, really good video.

[@stylo816]

Heather as always great video!! I'm fighting beetles pretty bad right now but will try your CD case trick! Thank you!!

[@if_a_tree_falls]

Thanks and good luck!

[@taxthompsonfinancialpartne8354]

I don't want to use boric acid. what else can I use? Will the oil just trap them or do I need something with the oil?

[@hdstarr1]

I plan to try that with Boric acid and crisco see if that works...thanks for the great video!

[@timjones6637]

I try that...bees plug up CD holes.

[@PhillipHall01]

Thank you heather!! The proof is in the pudding, or in this case , the CD case!! Awesome!!

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+phillip hall absolutely---it has helped us win the battle.

[@linr2870]

If the SHB get too extreme you can take out all your frames and shake them onto a large plywood board killing every beetle that falls out. BEWARE of your queen keep her safe! When all frames are replaced in the order you took them out check the board on both stop and bottom sides and shake your nurse bees back into the hive. This is a last resort method.

[@tinamonach3767]

Seriously, great idea!

[@jrmars5434]

I put the CD cases in my hives a week ago and checked on them today. Out of six cases two had beetles inside with one having 10 beetles. The other four cases were empty even though beetles were crawling around on top of the cases. Upon a closer inspection I noticed the bees had propolize the entrance holes closed so the beetles were unable to enter. I'm wondering what can be done to prevent this?

[@iowagreen8932]

Remember to snap off the tabs on both sides of the case, and if you did that, the only other thing to do is check on the cases more often.

[@leegood2476]

I liked the video on spraying for mites. WIll be spratying after I spin honey in a few weeks.

[@lenrd9638]

Love this idea, will definitely give it a try...BUT CD cases seem to come in a few thicknesses. Can you tell us what the thickness measurement is on the cases you use. Thanks!

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Have you tried maxforce roach bait in them?

[@FloryJohann]

That would be a good choice.

[@craig6903]

I wonder if you could make a funnel entrance to the cd case, making the trap a one way entrance. That way you would only need to add honey to attract them inside. That way the trap could be used during honey production.

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Craig that sounds like a good idea. You can use beetle blasters and swifter sheets as well during honey production. I don't produce honey so I just prefer the cd cases but the other options do help to reduce the SHB population.

[@unisol2287]

CD case, excellent advice to use together with Beatle blaster

[@ChileExpatFamily]

No SHBs here in Chile, and I sure do not miss them! This CD trap is awesome! jim

[@fredstar6217]

Give it time.They are traveling all over the globe.

[@thekaylornator]

So do the bees eat the honey with boric acid and that's what kills them? Also, will they not simply crawl back out of the cd case through the opening? Thank you for the video but I have lots of questions. I'm a 1st year beekeeper!

[@darrentummon4855]

Gday Tim. The way these traps work is to give the SHB small hive beetle, a place to hide. Bees can't seem to grab the shb and eject them, but they can chase and herd them i to these traps/shelters. Then whilst there, you want to be a good host and kill them by feeding them. Personally i use cockroach gel from a syringe. But less toxic compounds like Boron are also suitable. Important note, using these traps are not allowed/legal as these harmful chemicals could kill bees or contaminate your honey. Somehow. So to avoid or mitigate this risk, always have openings big enough for the shb only and not bees and also make sure water cannot enter these traps during excessive rainfall. So tilt you hives so they are self draining. I hope this helps

[@dbluehorsedeboe5567]

can boric acid be used by it self in the cd case and be effective?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Danielle Garrison I'm not sure if it would help attract the beetles to the case.

[@darrentummon4855]

+Danielle Garrison you need a carrier material to entice the shb to eat it. Obviously honey is a great choice as this is their normal diet. You can also get rid of ants with boric acid mixed with a jam, such a plum jam. The best part is that the ants carry this back to the nest, feed the queen and this kills her and wipes out the nest.

[@jayrobertson1689]

What did you use for bait in the cd case, right now I'm using cresco,boric acid, and a dab of honey, just put it in so not sure of the results,

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Jay Robertson we used boric acid and honey. You should see good results with your mixture.

[@hiramsapp1422]

What do you normally use for bait ?

[@dbluehorsedeboe5567]

you mentioned not to use this with supers, all my hives have supers, so what can i use?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Danielle Garrison swifter sheets or beetle blasters perhaps. You just don't want to take the chance that the beetles will track boric acid into your honey.

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Thanks for your help.

[@dorroboss]

Hi, I have lost so many colonies because of the beetles, do I need have the CD cases in dark color or black

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+DorroBoss me too. The dark cases would work great. They weren't available to me.

[@dorroboss]

Thanks a lot I will try to find them, would it be a good idea to place food grade Diatomaceous earth inside the cases to kill the beetles?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+DorroBoss yes

[@FloryJohann]

The beetles can not see if a case is black or clear in a dark hive. If you paint them black, the paint smell may repel the beetles.

[@FloryJohann]

Are those the thin CD cases, at least it look like they are.

[@darrentummon4855]

They all work really well, old school thick cases as well as the newer thin one

[@FloryJohann]

Thank you very much for answering my question. I just made some traps with the thin cases last week end and added them. How long should I wait to check them?

[@darrentummon4855]

@@FloryJohann well for me this involves suiting up, lighting my smoker, finding my good (thongs) flip flops (I'm Australian, so safety first) and basically I'm bloody lazy. So I'd not stir up the girls too often. Remember every time we open up a hive the girls will consume a day or threes worth of honey. So let them bee. LOL. IF I saw 3-5 SHB up top when I lifted the lid, work that beetle trap. But usually I'd only disturb the hive once a month. And of course you can always us a length of stiff plane wire to hook the CD case out from the bottom board. And I'd use 2 cases on the bottom board. Most of us bee keepers love our girls too much and this interference only stress's out the ladies. 😁

[@FloryJohann]

@@darrentummon4855 Belated thank you, just seen your post. It took only one month to fill those CD cases up. And thank you for the tip.

[@darrentummon4855]

@@FloryJohann Thanks for making the video. I find here in Oz many Bee Keepers that i know are still doing things the same way they were doing thing 30+ years ago. Before CDs even existed. LOL. Thanks again for your video. Another thing is that you can buy over here is a piece of Lino (vinyl floor covering) with a fur backing and this is clamped into a piece of tin that is like a super thin honey frame. The idea being that you place the hairy side of the Lino against a outer wall of the super (from inside the super) and this gives the SHB a place to hide and get caught up in the hairs. Similar to the Chux dishcloth idea. Anywho have a great day. 😉

[@Arnd2it]

Ever thought about putting a piece of Swiffer in your CD case? Might be the best of both worlds...

[@FloryJohann]

The swiffer works because the bees are trying to take it out of the hive and in the process of trying to take it out of the hive, the bees roughen the swiffer strands up and that will cause the beetles to get hung up and tangled up in the swiffer fabric. Without the bees being able to get to the swiffer, the swiffer will not work to good.

[@davidb3388]

I'm running each hive with just one deep brood box. Do you think this kind of trap is more effective on top of the frames or on the bottom board? Thanks

[@if_a_tree_falls]

I use them mostly on the top but If you have a lot of beetles you can double up and put one on top and in the bottom.

[@rgatt74]

If you have more than one box do you put the trap on the top bars of the uppermost box or does it not matter?

[@VictorFursov]

Dangerous hive beetles are crawling at so high number in your video...... Do they make a serious damage?

[@darrentummon4855]

The shb are not that bad themselves, they bug the crap/stress the bees because they spend so much energy chasing them. The issue is with their off spring. They hatch into larvae which do all the damage and these are very hard for us bee keepers to manage and clean up. So, root cause analysis, keep them out in the first place or keep the little buggers in really low numbers. If you find a web like material with little flecks of wax through it, grab it with your hive tool and remove it asap. It could have the larvae still in it. Naturally dispose of said pest asap.

[@FloryJohann]

Hive beetles poop everywhere including frames and combs and honey, bees go outside to do their cleansing flight. Such contaminated honey can ferment because of the poop involved and can make the whole batch of harvested honey to go bad.

[@kallakrastev769]

How often are you changing the CD - trap?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Kalla Krastev the bees propolis the traps pretty quickly so I try to change them at least every 2 weeks. Thanks!

[@Romanek1]

Can you be more specific with CD trap bait? "Put whatever you like for bait" tells me nothing.

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Anacomito I left that out because there are so many different opinions on what chemicals should be used in a hive. I use boric acid and honey. Thanks!

[@FinspireVibe]

Why is there a boric acid controversy? Is it because it would kill the shb, and also the bees? But, how is going to kill the bees if they can not get in the CD case? Like you Heather's, this is my favorite method too, and that's why I ask.

[@if_a_tree_falls]

Possibly because there could be some contamination in your honey if say the beetles crawled through the boric acid and then into your honey super.

[@brunosulikowski]

Hi, Can I ask in your cd case trap what did you use to kill all those shb? Thank you beesbuzz52

[@if_a_tree_falls]

yes -- we used a mixture of boric acid and honey. thank you!

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Bruno Sulikowski a mixture of boric acid and honey.

[@George-nx5lo]

better buy them while you can before they turn into antiques

[@jiggyfun807]

What did you bait your CD case with? Thank you for the video

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Jiggy fun a mixture of boric acid and honey.

[@FLBill]

Wow, I'm in Florida, west central area, and you guys seem to have a much worse beetle problem. I use the blaster traps, and never see more than 8 or 9 a week. And during inspections I normally only see 4-8 beetles. I also use another trap that the top folds close and it works well too. In my blaster traps I put a little apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil. Once in a while I will find bees got in the oil and it kills them, but normally it is only one or two. And mostly if I got oil on top of trap. Thanks for the tip, I will try it. FL BIll

[@fredstar6217]

That is interesting since the beetle invasion started in Florida

[@jfd114]

Confused. You get to your favorite and then don’t say what the bait is or how to use it. I realize you say use whatever you like but I don’t know anything about it. That’s why I watched. Can you add or comment? Thx.

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+John Drake absolutely understand your frustration. I use a mixture of boric acid and honey however I don't have honey supers on. You shouldn't use this bait if you are going to harvest honey. That's why I didn't want to mention it in the video.

[@jfd114]

Pioneer Bee Co. & Homestead thanks so much.

[@rowenacardoza1496]

This is curious. Why do you NOT want to use during honey harvest, or when you put on your super?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Rowena Cardoza there is some controversy about using boric acid in your hives. I don't think it would contaminate your honey supers but I just wouldn't take the chance.

[@fredstar6217]

I do a lot of vegetable and fruit container gardening and use a bait mixture of sugar, peanut butter and boric acid to annihilate fire ants. It has been proven safe for human consumption.

[@PaulOtis]

I saw the CD case trap on someone else's video, but you show how to work them better. In my top bar hives, I have been using paper towels (from daddykirbs), but the cases will fit nicely on the bottom screen. Also, painting the jelly jars black will help, it prevents light from coming through, and those darn beetles love darkness.

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

have you tried maxforce gel roach bait in them traps?I dont if its legal but see some keepers using it.

[@if_a_tree_falls]

I haven’t but I have heard of this as well. I have been told it’s a no no and the state inspector will not certify you if you use it.

[@krickette5569]

Hi and thanks for your informative video. I have only one hive of bees, which I "inherited" from my mother in law. I went out today to feed the bees (It's January 11th and over 50 degrees) and I noticed the bees had pushed several dead hive beetles out the front of the hive. Can I open the hive in winter and insert one of these CD traps?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

Absolutely! Since the weather is permitting you could slide one on the top of the frames or even the bottoms of the hive through the entrance.

[@chrispesklo5115]

Here in MN many beekeepers here loaded our hives in mid-April during a snow storm (high 20s). Bees can take a blast of cold for a short period of time, a lot more than what people will think. As long as you give them warm frames to start with and give them a chance to cluster, they will do well.

[@karenmccurnin5831]

Hi Heather! Thanks for the video. My hive is strong but I've noticed some SHBs I'd like to trap. The CD cases I have are solid on the sides not just a tab like yours. BUT, there are two half circle openings on each side. I'm wondering if these half circle openings are large enough for the beetles to pass through?

[@if_a_tree_falls]

+Karen McCurnin that will probably work. They only need a small opening. You could also drill holes in the cd case. Thanks for watching!