Simple small hive beetle trap

This small trap for the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a compact, handy tool to monitor the bee colony for small hive beetles and to catch them. The small hive beetle is a threat to European bee colonies, as just a few beetles can quickly ruin an entire colony. This small hive beetle trap is designed for single use, but can be reused after cleaning. For monitoring colonies, one of these traps is sufficient. If an infestation is present, 2 traps per hive are recommended. The trap measures 22.5 x 3.6 x 3.5 cm (w x h x d).

How does the small hive beetle trap work?
The trap is filled with a thin layer of oil. The trap has small holes that bees cannot enter, but the small hive beetle can. Beetles will walk over the trap, fall in, and get stuck in the oil layer. When the trap is full, it can be removed. To attract beetles, you can add a thin layer of apple cider vinegar to the trap in addition to the oil. Apple cider vinegar acts as an attractant for the small hive beetle.

What are the advantages of this small hive beetle trap?

• Affordable device, easy to use with minimal maintenance
• Can be used year-round
• Works as a monitoring tool to detect the small hive beetle
• Reduces small hive beetle populations upon arrival at the apiary
• Trap inspection is simple and requires little effort
• Cost-effective: just refill with a thin layer of oil and the trap does the work
• The trap can be used alongside other colony work and has no impact on, for example, the honey harvest
• Eco-friendly and in no way harmful to bees or bee products
• Small hive beetles can be removed easily and hygienically in the inexpensive disposable trap