Small Hive Beetle Grease
Here is a formula for making Small hive Beetle Grease. I have not used it yet but I will be trying it out soon. I was told to mix the Ingredients I?m working on something which in a bowl and then make 1/2? round strips and place one them on top of a frame. I?m not sure of the size/amount so if someone from Beefest 2018 remembers, please correct me. I guess the best thing to do is to divide the resulting mixture up into 22 sections and put one in each hive.
I was told by 3 beekeepers from the Clay County Club that in three weeks you will not see any beetles in your hive.
It sounds like it is worth trying.
Full Batch (90 hives) 1/2 Batch (45 Hives) 1/4 Batch (22 hives)
4 lbs sugar 2 lbs sugar 1 lbs sugar
1.5 lbs Crisco 12 oz Crisco 6 oz Crisco
1 lb honey 8 oz honey 4 oz honey
2 1/2 oz Wintergreen 1 1/4 oz Wintergreen. .625 oz Wintergreen Oil
I went to buy wintergreen essential oil and found they only sell it, at that store, in .17 oz. I converted the recipe to use just one bottle and it should work will for most hobbyists since it is good for 6 hives or less
1/16th batch
4 oz of sugar
1.6 oz of a Crisco
1 oz of honey
.17 oz of Wintergreen
Mix them all together, do not melt the Crisco until it is all one consistent color.
Use your hive tool to wipe a dab on the ends of the frames, where the SHBs hide.
In 2-3 weeks hive should be beetle free.