Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: Ben Framed on July 15, 2019, 03:20:37 am

Title: Has Anyone Here Tried This For Small Hive Beetle Prevention and Control?
Post by: Ben Framed on July 15, 2019, 03:20:37 am

I seen this quit a while back and forgot about it. Ran across this video again today and wondered if anyone here has tried this interesting product.
Phillip

https://youtu.be/MPfBrwYuVTM

Title: Re: Has Anyone Here Tried This For Small Hive Beetle Prevention and Control?
Post by: Bob Wilson on July 15, 2019, 06:24:02 pm

Fascinating. Wondering how it might work for a top entrance. Also makes me question how the bees are able to ventilate the hive, unless he keeps another opening somewhere with small space hardware cloth stapled over it.

Title: Re: Has Anyone Here Tried This For Small Hive Beetle Prevention and Control?
Post by: Ben Framed on July 15, 2019, 11:06:24 pm

Quote from: bobll on July 15, 2019, 06:24:02 pm

Fascinating. Wondering how it might work for a top entrance. Also makes me question how the bees are able to ventilate the hive, unless he keeps another opening somewhere with small space hardware cloth stapled over it.

Good questions. I wonder Also. I am going to take a guess. If this works as good as described, we should not have to worry about leaving our hives directly in the sun. Maybe the cooler shade would reduce the need and least to some degree?  Or a even a better guess might be, The bees are masters at taking care of their brood and home. They probably know just how to set up their cooling fanning system to accommodate the ventilation question. I wonder how the bees are able to get past and through the holes, but the Small Hive Beetles cannot? I am hopeful that someone here has tried this and can fill us in on the results.
Phillip

Title: Re: Has Anyone Here Tried This For Small Hive Beetle Prevention and Control?
Post by: cao on July 15, 2019, 11:47:55 pm

I have seen it several years ago and there might be a thread on here somewhere.  My opinion of it is that it probably works pretty well as long as it is relatively new.  Once the bees build burr comb or smear propolis over those holes it will allow the beetles access.  It is only for bottom entrances.  The point of the tapered/bent holes facing downwards is that the beetles cannot crawl over that lip without falling.  The beetles don't fly inside the hive so they can't gain access.  The bees being bigger can get around the lip on the holes.

Title: Re: Has Anyone Here Tried This For Small Hive Beetle Prevention and Control?
Post by: Ben Framed on July 16, 2019, 12:52:27 am

Quote from: cao on July 15, 2019, 11:47:55 pm

I have seen it several years ago and there might be a thread on here somewhere.  My opinion of it is that it probably works pretty well as long as it is relatively new.  Once the bees build burr comb or smear propolis over those holes it will allow the beetles access.  It is only for bottom entrances.  The point of the tapered/bent holes facing downwards is that the beetles cannot crawl over that lip without falling.  The beetles don't fly inside the hive so they can't gain access.  The bees being bigger can get around the lip on the holes.

Thanks Cao.