Welcome, Guest
Login or Register
Home
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3  All   Go Down

Author Topic: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.  (Read 5292 times)

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« on: August 23, 2020, 01:21:10 pm »
Our friend Cao has reported of a real battle with SHB on another topic. Cao are you making any headway against these pest?

Quote from: cao on August 23, 2020, 10:59:43 am
Quote from: Ben Framed on August 22, 2020, 11:39:17 pm
I wonder what it is that Cao is doing? Cao, if you read this, what are you doing being treatment free and yet prospering with steady increases in you colonies? At this time I can not see myself going treatment free in battling these little varmints. lol. 😬

If you are asking about mites, I'm doing nothing special.  This year I'm dealing with SHBs.  I used to think that a strong hive could handle the beetles, but this year I have seen strong hives dwindle under the pressure of the beetles. 500-1000 beetles in a hive can cause havoc to a hive.
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline van from Arkansas

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1900
  • Gender: Male
  • Van from Arkansas.
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2020, 02:26:52 pm »
500-1000 beetles?  That an insane amount of beetles.  Sorry, Cao!!!   Again, this July and August, I battle the beetles and will continue to do so until the ground cools.  This year, I placed lime dust on the dirt in front of each hive.  The lime has helped tremendously.  I did lose a newly created nuc, one of three, a few weeks ago to beetles.

Lastly, I have placed one strong bait hive, directly under an oak, next to the forest, 100 percent shaded all day.  This hive acts as my beetle trap as once a week, I go into this hive and kill all the beetles with hive tool and freeze spray.  The beetles zero in on this all shaded hive on the wood line.

For those battling beetles, I hear you loud and clear.  Which is worse: Varroa or small hive beetle?  Yes

Logged
I have been around bees a long time, since birth.  I am a hobbyist so my answers often reflect this fact.  I concentrate on genetics, raise my own queens by wet graft, nicot, with natural or II breeding.  I do not sell queens, I will give queens  for free but no shipping.

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2020, 02:36:50 pm »
>Which is worse: Varroa or small hive beetle?

Good question Mr Van.  From my own experience, I would have to say SHB but others may have different experiences.  Yes good question.
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline van from Arkansas

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1900
  • Gender: Male
  • Van from Arkansas.
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2020, 04:26:47 pm »
Agreed Ben, I can treat Varroa.  But small hive beetle has no treatment, only traps and physical means.
Logged
I have been around bees a long time, since birth.  I am a hobbyist so my answers often reflect this fact.  I concentrate on genetics, raise my own queens by wet graft, nicot, with natural or II breeding.  I do not sell queens, I will give queens  for free but no shipping.

Online The15thMember

  • Global Moderator
  • Galactic Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 4507
  • Gender: Female
  • Traveler of the Multiverse, Seeker of Knowledge
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2020, 05:44:24 pm »
Quote from: cao on August 23, 2020, 10:59:43 am
This year I'm dealing with SHBs.  I used to think that a strong hive could handle the beetles, but this year I have seen strong hives dwindle under the pressure of the beetles. 500-1000 beetles in a hive can cause havoc to a hive.
That is terrible!  I personally haven't had much trouble with them this year.  The previous 2 years for me were much worse.  My hives are on average stronger this year though, so that's probably playing a part in controlling them.  I haven't even put in Swiffers yet.     

Logged
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.

Offline Oldbeavo

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1014
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2020, 05:46:25 pm »
Running "Beetle Jails" helps.
We had a group of 50 hives that were under pressure from SHB. Every hive got a Beetle Jail. Didn't lose a hive'
Another time they took to 2 hives in a group of 100. Took 400 out of one hive with the BJ catching 180 in one session.
They work because they are a baited trap, mixture of honey, pollen water and yeast, with vegetable oil to drown beetles.
Logged

Offline JurassicApiary

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 331
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2020, 06:14:05 pm »
I too am struggling with SHB.  I've lost one hive to it this summer already.  But this hive was one of my first hives that I purchased before I started making my own and it has a solid bottom board.  All of the ones I've crafted have screened BB's and I put DE below the screen.  Once I get ahead in production, I'll swap out the remaining few hives that have solid bottoms to screened.  I've just grown my apiary so much this summer, I haven't been able to keep up...  I feel your pain Cao and others battling SHB this year...
Logged

Offline van from Arkansas

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1900
  • Gender: Male
  • Van from Arkansas.
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2020, 06:36:34 pm »
Mr. Beavo, I am trying apple cider vinegar as bait for a beetle trap.  I?ll let folks know if the cider is good as I have been told.

Cheers

They work because they are a baited trap, mixture of honey, pollen water and yeast, with vegetable oil to drown beetles.
Logged
I have been around bees a long time, since birth.  I am a hobbyist so my answers often reflect this fact.  I concentrate on genetics, raise my own queens by wet graft, nicot, with natural or II breeding.  I do not sell queens, I will give queens  for free but no shipping.

Offline cao

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1699
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2020, 07:01:07 pm »
Just got done swapping some solid bottom boards with some that I modified with screens and oil pan.  A couple of the hives were in a very bad mood.  Understandable considering when I pulled the bottom box of the bottom board, it was solid bees chasing beetles.  With probably a hundred or more trapped in the corners.  Every hive was like that.  Unfortunately I got behind with my bees earlier this year and before I new it I had several hives slimed by beetle larva.  That is probably a contributing factor in the beetle numbers that I have now.  Once I get the rest of my bottoms switched over, the pans will have oil in them until The numbers are back in single digits per hive or less.  I don't know how many larva that I have killed this year already but it would probably be close to filling a five gallon bucket.
Logged

Offline Nock

  • Field Bee
  • ***
  • Posts: 631
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2020, 08:12:30 pm »
Seeing a lot more SHB here the last couple weeks.
Logged

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2020, 10:12:44 pm »

Quote from: van from Arkansas on August 23, 2020, 06:36:34 pm
Mr. Beavo, I am trying apple cider vinegar as bait for a beetle trap.  I?ll let folks know if the cider is good as I have been told.

Cheers

They work because they are a baited trap, mixture of honey, pollen water and yeast, with vegetable oil to drown beetles.

Mr Van, my first year I had SHB problems and by advise of sawdstmakr (Jim), and Paus I built and used oil traps beneath my hives with screen bottoms along with number 8 hardware cloth. I did something a little different than I had read of, not wanting to use so much oil in each hive. I first added water to the bottom pan, then mixed in Apple Cider Vinegar (the mother type). To seal this in I placed a thin layer of oil on top in order to keep the water/vinegar mixture from everaperating . I was very pleased with the results.
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline van from Arkansas

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1900
  • Gender: Male
  • Van from Arkansas.
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2020, 10:35:26 pm »
I read the beetles are attracted to apple cider vinegar.  Whereas honey bees don?t like the apple vinegar so I use apple cider vinegar, sugar, banana peel in my yellow jacket traps and it does keep the honey bees away while trapping hornets and yellow jackets.
Logged
I have been around bees a long time, since birth.  I am a hobbyist so my answers often reflect this fact.  I concentrate on genetics, raise my own queens by wet graft, nicot, with natural or II breeding.  I do not sell queens, I will give queens  for free but no shipping.

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2020, 10:51:39 pm »
I do not know if this was an attractant or not in my case. I'm not sure if they could smell the water/vinegar mixture being I had a thin layer of oil floating on top. I do know the beatles were massacred lol  😁

Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2020, 11:01:20 pm »
Quote from: cao on August 23, 2020, 07:01:07 pm
Just got done swapping some solid bottom boards with some that I modified with screens and oil pan.  A couple of the hives were in a very bad mood.  Understandable considering when I pulled the bottom box of the bottom board, it was solid bees chasing beetles.  With probably a hundred or more trapped in the corners.  Every hive was like that.  Unfortunately I got behind with my bees earlier this year and before I new it I had several hives slimed by beetle larva.  That is probably a contributing factor in the beetle numbers that I have now.  Once I get the rest of my bottoms switched over, the pans will have oil in them until The numbers are back in single digits per hive or less.  I don't know how many larva that I have killed this year already but it would probably be close to filling a five gallon bucket.

I am wishing you the best Cao. What you are doing should be a tremendous help. In your extreme case, oil pans are a good choice. It is my experience the oil pans as one avenue, definitely work.
                                                                                                                                                                                .
« Last Edit: August 24, 2020, 12:46:27 am by Ben Framed »
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline Oldbeavo

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1014
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2020, 06:49:53 am »
The bait of honey, pollen, water and yeast ferments a bit and so is the attractant.
Screened bottom boards and oil trays are not practical when shifting every 6-8 weeks. So traps are used. Also they will work for a week or so depending on the SHB load.
Logged

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #15 on: August 24, 2020, 07:26:17 am »
Quote from: Oldbeavo on August 24, 2020, 06:49:53 am
The bait of honey, pollen, water and yeast ferments a bit and so is the attractant.
Screened bottom boards and oil trays are not practical when shifting every 6-8 weeks. So traps are used. Also they will work for a week or so depending on the SHB load.

You are right Oldbeavo. The oil bottom pan traps are not practical for hives that will need to be moved. I was looking at the huge number of beetles that Cao had in some hives and could see where the oil pan bottoms (oil trays) would, in his case be a big help. Your experiences with The beetle jail may be just as good, even with these larger numbers. Or even better when hives need to be moved.

I have not used the beetle jail. From what I understand the beetle jail is too keep beetles from ever entering a hive? Knowing nothing about beetle jail, can beetles already established inside a hive such as in Caos problem, easily enter into the trap? Is the jail accessible from within the hive or the just outside going into the hive? The reason I ask, I (half) watched half paying attention to a video advertisement saying the beetle jail detoured beetles from entering the hive and wondered about beetles already inside.
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline kanga

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 134
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #16 on: August 24, 2020, 08:08:40 am »
Ben, I may be wrong but I think the Beetle Jail that Oldbeavo is talking about is one that fits inside the hive between the frames. Kev.
Logged

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2020, 10:21:30 am »
Yep two different traps with the same name. lol Thanks Kanga for clearing that up. 😊😁

https://youtu.be/egLroAZ_Qn0
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12705
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2020, 11:03:15 am »
There is another product that looks interesting called the beetle barn. I am thinking they use it with a roach bait, but since bees chase beetles anyway a roach bait might not be needed? Placing a small amount of butter flavored Crisco in the center as a bait may very well do the job. I don?t know as I have not tried it or heard of this being suggested. But if the beetles do congregate inside all a keeper would need to do is carry a small bucket of water from hive to hive, dipping the traps in the water drowning all trapped beetles, no chemicals. Just food for thought.
Logged
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline paus

  • Field Bee
  • ***
  • Posts: 661
  • Gender: Male
Re: SHB Can Sometimes be Horrendous.
« Reply #19 on: August 24, 2020, 01:00:18 pm »
I use Sodium meta hexa phosphate in any water use to control any insect such as SHB, wasp, etc. I buy the SMHP from chemical supply house, and use it in the holding tank of my RV and share with other campers.  You can also buy Calgon which the active ingredient  is SMHP.  It is excellent in clothes laundry.  It is found in many foods and is listed in the ingredients of several blended table syrups which makes me wonder if it is not in some store bought honey
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3  All   Go Up
« previous next »
 

anything