Mike Hood holds his Hood Beetle Trap.

DATE: 5/21/07

CONTACT: Mike Hood, (864) 656-0346; mhood@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Clemson scientist invents small hive beetle trap

CLEMSON -- The small hive beetle is a destructive pest of the honey bee, which is our most beneficial insect as a honey producer and pollinator. These beetles can cause damage to comb, stored honey and pollen.

Many South Carolina beekeeping operations have been affected, which can lead to colony losses and damaged equipment. There are two pesticides available in South Carolina for small hive beetles, but alternative controls are needed.

To help solve the problem, Clemson University Entomologist Mike Hood has developed a one-way death trap. The beetles freely enter the trap but are unable to escape. This integrated pest management tool is called “The Hood Beetle Trap.”

The Hood trap is a plastic box which has three separate compartments. The trap is designed to be used inside honey bee colonies when adult beetles are actively moving inside the colony, generally at 65° F or greater. One of the favored beetle attractants used in the trap is cider vinegar which is safe for use inside honey bee colonies. Food grade mineral oil is also placed in the trap which disrupts the beetle’s ability to escape.

The trap can be attached to the bottom bar of a hive frame then place the frame in the bottom or top of the hive depending on where beetles are most active. Graduate student Brett Nolan has been assisting with field testing the trap.

The hive beetle is an invasive pest from Africa which was first collected in the United States by a Charleston County hobbyist beekeeper in 1996. The beetles are now widespread throughout most of the country.

Development of the Hood trap has been supported by research grants from the USDA/ARS and the Almond Board of California.

It is distributed and marketed by Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, Inc. in North Carolina. Visit their website at: www.brushymountainbeefarm.com.

For more information, contact Mike Hood at (864) 656-0348 or mhood@clemson.edu.

END