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I've been keeping this blog for all of my beekeeping years and I am beginning my 19th year of beekeeping in April 2024. Now there are more than 1300 posts on this blog. Please use the search bar below to search the blog for other posts on a subject in which you are interested. You can also click on the "label" at the end of a post and all posts with that label will show up. At the very bottom of this page is a list of all the labels I've used.

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I began this blog to chronicle my beekeeping experiences. I have read lots of beekeeping books, but nothing takes the place of either hands-on experience with an experienced beekeeper or good pictures of the process. I want people to have a clearer picture of what to expect in their beekeeping so I post pictures and write about my beekeeping saga here.Master Beekeeper Enjoy with me as I learn and grow as a beekeeper.

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Sunday, September 17, 2006

Integrated Pest Management begins at Linda's Bee hives


Integrated Pest management: "An approach to managing pests that is based on the coordinated use of one or more methods and that seeks to minimize chemical inputs."

The small hive beetle is one pest that has invaded my hives. I want it not to be happy. I ordered from Brushy Mountain their small hive beetle trap and installed it in my hives. Supposedly the beetle likes apple cider vinegar and will fall into this beetle sized vat of vinegar and not be able to get out.

The trap is installed on an empty frame in a super. I used #6 1/2" wood screws (as per instructions) and screwed it to the frame. I then filled the three compartments with apple cider vinegar and put the trap-equipped frame in position 10 in a super on each hive.

If I successfully kill beetles this way, I will have happier bees, no chemical involvement, and I will be a happier beekeeper! I'll take pictures and post the results on my next inspection.
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:04 AM

    use soapy water its non toxic and kills instantsly

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12:05 AM

    how wide is the opening to your trap? I want to try a homemade version of this and need to make sure i'm making the opening big enough for the beetle but small enough that the bees don't get in.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The opening needs to be 3/8" for the beetle.

    ReplyDelete

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