Small hive beetles

[Deb Insel]

What is a good product to use under hives for control of SHB?  Any experience with Scott's Grub X granules?

I've lost two weakish hives to SHB this fall despite having oil hive beetle traps in the corners.   One of the hives was basically just an effort to save a queen and a couple hundred bees in a nuc.  So I know that one was very iffy.  And I know the best remedy is a strong hive.  But now I'm afraid I've got a lot of beetles pupating under where those hives were and right next two where my other hives are.

Suggestions?

Deb 

[Joan Houston]

I have one apiary that’s all about wax moths and another that’s a hive beetle haven. Get some el cheapo generic swiffer duster refills, cut them to size and stuff them in where the problem is. I’ve had great luck with them. 

[Mimi]

I’ve noticed that old dark comb used for swarm bait tends to attract more SHB.  Every 3-4 years I have to rotate out or scrape off older comb and start anew.  That helps with SHB.  Frame & comb replacement is done in early spring so not certain what you could do now in addition to what you’ve already been doing.   Most mite treatments will cause SHB to leave but they return again once treatment is done.  Using DE under hive stops SHB from reproducing but they also kill and hurt bees that land on ground. Diatomaceous earth (DE) wash away in rain/lose their effectiveness.  A combo of mite treatment with DE under hive tends to do the trick for me but again it’s something I do in summer or spring.  Mimi 

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 24, 2025, at 5:22 PM, Deb Insel <debora...@gmail.com> wrote:

What is a good product to use under hives for control of SHB?  Any experience with Scott's Grub X granules?

I've lost two weakish hives to SHB this fall despite having oil hive beetle traps in the corners.   One of the hives was basically just an effort to save a queen and a couple hundred bees in a nuc.  So I know that one was very iffy.  And I know the best remedy is a strong hive.  But now I'm afraid I've got a lot of beetles pupating under where those hives were and right next two where my other hives are.

Suggestions?

Deb 

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