Bees chase the small hive beetles (SHB), which like to hide in dark places, into these dark crevasses. Start with one beetle trap per hive and increase if you have a heavy infestation.
Instructions
Fill trap 1/3 of the way with vegetable oil.
Clip bottom piece to black grated top piece, then place between top bars of the frames in the upper-most super. Bees will secure with propolis.
A relatively new type of pest for beekeepers, the small hive beetle (SHB) is originally from South Africa and was discovered in the US in the spring of 1998. Although SHB are present in all areas of the United States and parts of Canada, they are especially a problem in the southeastern states, due to the warmer climate. Small hive beetles can easily take over a colony with little to no resistance from the native bees. A SHB infestation within a colony can be devastating to the hive, as the beetles consume the resources of the colony, damage the comb and contaminate the honey.
Hint: For easier cleaning, spray the trap out with a hose while tipping it over a garbage can.
Note: The beetle traps are attractants for the small hive beetles. Unlike Japanese Hive Beetle traps, these DO NOT contain pheromone attractants.
