The Small Hive Beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, found in Australia as well as world wide, is a scavenger of honey bee colonies, decimating hives and destroying entire colonies of bees. Originating in Africa, the Small Hive Beetle was first identified in Australia in October 2002. Eradication was unsuccessful and the beetles have since spread from wild hive colonies and have since become one of the greatest threats to the beekeeping industry.
The Small Hive Beetle can now be found in hives throughout New South Wales and Queensland, as well as having isolated instances in Victoria.
The Small Hive Beeetle affects hive colonies by consuming the bee eggs, pollen, brood and honey. They burrow through the honey comb, damaging them and contaminating the honey, causing the honey to ferment and weep from the cells, rendering the honey unsuitable for human consumption.
It can also eventually result in the queen bee ceasing to lay eggs or the colony leaving the hive.
The Beetle Buster Small Hive Beetle Base Board is effective in minimising the damage to hives by restricting the beetles from actually entering the hive. They fall to the base of the tray and die, leaving the hive colony unharmed and unaffected.
For more information on the Beetle Buster, please feel free to phone Bruce on 0418 833 997
For more information about the Small Hive Beetle visit Queensland Department of Agriculture & Fisheries
