muglabalci · Muğla, TR · Pests & Disease · Jun 3, 2026

Small hive beetles spotted — eradicate or manage?

First time I've seen SHB in this apiary. Two adults running across the top bars. Strong hive, double deep + super. Is eradication realistic in Mediterranean climate or am I managing them for life now?

#shb#small-hive-beetle

▲ 21 votes 💬 3 replies

3 replies

NalediBees · Jun 3, 2026

Management for life, sadly. Once SHB is in your area they don't leave. Strong colonies handle them — keep colonies populous, minimise extra space, traps in the corners of the hive (oil traps work).

MendozaMiel · Jun 3, 2026

We've had them in Mendoza for 8 years. Routine: traps + strong colonies + don't leave extracted supers anywhere bees can't guard them. Beetles destroy honey in storage faster than in the hive.

AbejasCarla · Jun 3, 2026

Soil treatment around the hive base helps reduce reproductive cycles — beetles drop and pupate in the soil. There are nematode products that target SHB pupae.

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