Small hive beetle trap simple

This small trap for the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a small and handy tool to monitor the beehive for the hive beetle and to catch the hive beetle. The hive beetle is a threat to European bee colonies because just a few beetles can quickly destroy an entire bee colony. This small hive beetle trap is made for single use but can be used multiple times by cleaning it. When monitoring bee colonies, one of these traps is sufficient. If there is an infestation, 2 traps per beehive are recommended. The trap measures 22.5 x 3.6 x 3.5 (wxhxd) cm.

How does the small hive beetle trap work?
The trap is filled with a small layer of oil. The trap has small holes that bees cannot enter but the small hive beetle can. It will walk over the trap, fall in, and get stuck in the layer of oil. When the trap is full, it can be removed. To attract the hive beetle, in addition to a layer of oil, a layer of apple cider vinegar can be added to the trap. The apple cider vinegar works as a bait for the small hive beetle.

What are the advantages of this small hive beetle trap?

• Inexpensive device, easy to use with little maintenance
• Can be used at any time of the year
• Works as a monitoring tool to detect the small hive beetle
• Limits small hive beetle populations upon arrival at the apiary
• Inspection of the trap is simple and requires little effort
• Cost-efficient, just refill with a small layer of oil and this trap does the work
• The trap can be used alongside other activities in the bee colony and has no impact on, for example, the honey harvest
• Environmentally friendly and in no way harmful to bees or bee products
• The small hive beetles can be easily and hygienically removed in the inexpensive disposable trap