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What?s your favourite style of small hive beetle trap and why do you use it?

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Lesgold:
Hi Folks,

Just thought I?d raise this for discussion as there are just about as many beetle trapping methods out there are there are beekeepers. Most work and many work well. In the past I have used homemade traps filled with cockroach bait, a large variety of slip in traps like the Beetle blaster, Chux super wipes (I believe you guys have another name for them),  trays with veggie oil and of course traps with diatomaceous earth added. They all trapped and killed beetles but every method had obvious advantages and disadvantages. I?m sure that you all have secret recipes for beetle baits or trap designs that you would like to show and share as this little pest is something that many of us deal with. I realise that in some areas beeks can manage the pest easily where as for others it is a real battle due to the overwhelming numbers involved. Obviously the amount of intervention by beekeepers will vary accordingly.

The15thMember:
Beetles aren't a huge problem in my apiary, so my anti-beetle measures would probably not be strong enough if you really struggle with them.  Many years just making sure the bees don't have too much space to cover is enough to keep the beetles (and waxworms) under control. 

For mild infestations I use Swiffer mop sheets cut into quarters, 1 per hive box, laid on a corner and sandwiched between the boxes.  The beetles feet get tangled in the sheets, especially after the bees rough them up a bit trying to remove them.  I do catch some bees too, but as long as I'm catching significantly more beetles than bees, I'm okay with it. 

For more severe infestations I use over the frame traps (I think the brand name is Beetle Jail, but I just bought some generic ones off eBay), 1 per hive, baited with vegetable oil.  I leave the dead beetles in the trap until it's full, because the dead ones seem to attract more to the trap, although I'm not sure why.  :oops:  I remove all anti-beetle measures over the winter because our first hard freeze will kill most of them. 

Lesgold:
Swifter mop sheets. That?s the name I was looking for. I assume it?s the same as our Chux super wipes. I have heard that soaking them in sugar water before putting them into a hive works well. The bees tug at the sheets and roughen them up to get all of the sugar. This helps to trap more beetles. Haven?t tried it this way myself but it sounds reasonable.

Ben Framed:
I remember Mr Van, "Van from Arkansas", posting more than once, that he liked the spray stuff in a can which is used for cleaning computers etc. and is also used for freezing warts lol.  I can't remember the name of the stuff but I bet Reagan can..  :grin:

Phillip

Lesgold:
How did he use it Phillip? Did it have any impact on the bees? That is one idea I?ve never heard of. Are you still using oil in trays? It is a very effective method once you are set up and I know that you are a fan.

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