00-29 Small Hive Beetle Facts and Observations

00-29     

BEEKEEPING INFORMATION

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Division of Plant Industry - Apiculture

8995 East Main Street 

Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-3399

"SHB FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS"

• Small Hive Beetles (SHB) were named this because in South Africa there is a large hive beetle.
• Majority of SHB were found to pupate in sandy soil at 1-10 cm ('/2-4 in) depth and within 30 cm (1 2 in) from the hive entrance.
• Adults (SHB) are the overwintering stage and can be found in the bee cluster.
• Adults can survive for up to 5 days without food or water.
• Mature larvae crawl from the hive and into the soil to pupate.
• Beekeepers could break the life cycle by moving colonies or by soil treatments.
• Temperature and humidity are key components regarding the percent of SHB eggs that hatch and adults emerge. (Higher temperatures and humidity result in increased percentages of egg hatch and emergence.)
• When SHB larval slime trails are observed on hive bodies - colony can be considered as infested.
• Temperatures determine where you look for the SHB in a colony. (Cooler - top, hot -bottom.)
• SHB will try to avoid light when looking in a hive.
• Ground drench works good if hive has one entrance.
• Larvae are attracted to light in the honey house.
• Soil around the honey house can be treated for SHB.
• Research indicated about 80% of the SHB were found under or in close proximity to the hive entrance (less than 30 cm or 1 2 in).
• No SHB's were found at 1 80 cm (6 feet) from the hive.