Small Hive Beetles: Identification, Prevention, and Effective Control Methods for Beekeepers

If you’re new to beekeeping, you may have seen a small beetle crawling around and wondered what it could possibly be! For those who have been beekeeping at least one season, these pests are a nuisance that you are very aware of and do your best to control with a vengeance! 

A Good Description of Small Hive Beetles

To start at the beginning, small hive beetles are relatively easy to identify. As the picture shows, they are round, black beetles normally found on the bottom board of the hive or on the top bars of frames. Bees often build propolis “corrals” on the top bars of frames to trap the SHBs, and when you remove the lid, it sets them free and scrambling to escape their entrapment! The adult beetles do not cause any harm in the hive. The larvae, however, eat pollen and honey, and as they travel, they defecate in the resources, leaving a slimy trail behind them contaminating the hive. Thus, identifying the larvae is equally important. The SHB larvae are smaller than wax moth larvae (about a quarter inch) and much tougher. They have more of a rubbery, tough skin and are difficult to squish. For reference, wax moth larvae are much more of a caterpillar shape and look, and they squish very easily. 

Can Small Hive Beetles Kill My Hive? 

Adult beetles don’t hurt hives. However, the SHB larvae can cause extensive damage. In most cases, the larvae cannot greatly damage or kill strong, thriving hives. If they hatch at all inside a hive, bees quickly remove them. SHBs are the cleanup crew that comes in after something else has damaged your hive. They are often blamed for the death of hives since they are the most visible sign of damage. But the vast majority of the time, the hives were weakened to the point of near death by something else, often Varroa mites, and the bees were unable to keep the SHBs at bay. In rare cases, especially in hot and humid areas, the larvae can overtake even a strong hive, but it is not common. The best defense against them is keeping your hive strong and healthy. 

How Many Small Hive Beetles Should Be Cause for Concern? 

In an increasing amount of the US, SHBs are present. They thrive in the southern states where the conditions are warmer and winters are mild. They tend to be less of an issue in the northern half of the US as they struggle to survive the longer, colder winters. The larvae must pupate in soil and are usually killed by the cold winters. SHBs are the biggest issue within about 200 miles of the Gulf Coast. If you see fewer than a dozen SHBs during inspection and your hive is a deep box full of bees or more, there is little cause for concern. If you see more than a dozen, keep a closer eye on the hive but don’t necessarily take action. My greatest concern is when I begin to see SHB larvae. They are the ones that cause the real damage and are a sign the bees are struggling to control the population. Even more concerning is SHB larvae in frames. At this point, they are gaining significant footholds and need to be addressed immediately.

How to Get Rid of SHBs

If you are in a region where most beekeepers see only an occasional few SHBs in their hives or none at all, the only defense you need is to keep your hive healthy and strong. If you are in southern states, especially near the Gulf Coast, the SHBs can be a bit more problematic.

• Keep your hive strong.
• Feed only as much pollen patty as the bees can eat in about a week because SHB will pupate in pollen patties, giving them a breeding ground right inside the hive.
• Don’t let syrup sit in a top or division board feeder for more than 10 days. This will allow time for the SHBs to use this space and the residual debris in the bottom to propagate.
• Keep hives in partial or full sun. SHBs don’t like the sun and prefer hives in full shade.
• Use disposable or reusable in-hive traps or SHB cloths. Keep them baited with beetle trap oil or vegetable oil and keep them clean with each hive inspection.
• I do not recommend any sort of ground spray or sprays outside the hive. They don’t tend to be very effective and can harm the bees. 
• Use screened bottom boards. SHBs hate light and ventilation, so a screened bottom board can be a natural way to discourage them from moving into your hive. 

How to Clean Small Hive Beetle–Damaged Frames

Frames that have been “slimed” by SHB larvae are often discarded by beekeepers who assume they are unsalvageable. However, the larvae don’t damage the comb itself; they only eat and “slime” the honey, pollen, and brood in a frame. There are a variety of ways to clean the frames and reuse them. 

1. If the frame is slimed and full of bee brood, I usually don’t try to salvage it. I freeze it to kill the SHB larvae and then throw it away. Or I burn it to kill the SHB larvae. 
2. If there are still SHB larvae in the frames, freeze them for 72 hours to kill the larvae. Believe it or not, if you freeze the frames for only 24 hours, the larvae can survive. 
3. Thaw the frames completely, then use a gentle spray setting on a water hose to thoroughly wash the frame and rinse off the capped honey. The water will wash away the slime. 
4. Shake the water out and allow the frames to completely air dry.
5. Finally, you can place them back into a hive for use or store them for later use. 
6. If you are in a hurry or don’t have the freezer space available, you can stand the slimed hive boxes up on their ends in the beeyard without the lid or bottom board. The larvae hate the light and leave the box. After a week, other bees will have usually robbed out the remaining honey in the hive and, in the process, removed the slime as well. There are disadvantages to this, though, such as the larvae not being killed and allowed to pupate in the soil. 
7. Finally, chickens love SHB larvae! Laying the frames out so chickens can access them is a quick way to get rid of the larvae. Rinsing may still be needed to clean off the slime. 

By: Blake Shook