Small Hive Beetle Trap
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Small Hive Beetle is a beekeeping pest that is not native to Australia. It was introduced into Australia around 2002 and has rapidly become one of the biggest challenges to the industry.
The beetle can be quite destructive to the colony of bees, damaging comb, stored honey, and pollen. Bees may even be driven from the hive with a large enough infestation.
The best way to minimise the impact of small hive beetle is to minimise beetle numbers, and maintain strong hives. A good beekeeper knows how to maintain a strong hive. AJ's Beetle Eater helps to control beetle numbers.
HOW IT WORKS!
AJ's Beetle Eater is a non chemical trap which is placed at the top of the hive, between the frames of honeycomb. The bees chase the beelte, which likes to hide in dark crevasses.
Once they enter the trap through the slots the beetle are trapped in vegetable oil and are usually unable to escape by climbing out.
The trap comes apare into two pieces; The top part, which is like a comb, rests on the top of the frame, preventing the trap from falling through the hive. The bottom section contains the vegetable oil and is clipped on below and sits between the top bars of the frame.
The trap is set in place with the same process that the bees use use to build and secure everything else in the hive, a soft, gluey kind of wax.
A mat is placed over the top of the frames to stop the bees getting this wax or honey on the top part of the trap. This also creates a warm dark environment which attracts the beetles. More than one trap may be used between frames, depending on the level of infestation and the size of the hive.
AJ's Beetle Eater can be used in conjunction with a mat located in the honey super. This also helps precent burcomb build up, which the beetle often hide in.
AJ's Beetle Eater is designed to be hassle free to the bee keeper.
AJ's Beetle Eater is designed to accommodate any box depth e.g. a full depth WSP 6’ 5/8 ideals or manly boxes. The trap also can be used in three way or six way queen rearing nucleus hives.
AJ's Beetle Eater does not interfere with Brood chamber cells or cells in the honey supers. It can be used with any other trap or chemical.
Advantages of AJ's Beetle Eater
- :: Inexpensive compared to the price of a box of honey or a queen bee
- :: Minimal labour is required for the application of this trap
- :: The trap does not use chemicals