Glossary
The scientific name for the small hive beetle, a pest of honey bee colonies originally from sub-Saharan Africa. Adult beetles infiltrate hives where they mate and lay eggs in cracks and crevices. Their larvae burrow through comb, consuming honey, pollen, and brood while fermenting honey stores into a foul, slimy mess that makes honey unsaleable.
Small hive beetle adults are small (5-7mm), dark beetles that slip past guard bees to enter hives. Inside, females lay clusters of eggs in concealed crevices. Larvae hatch within 2-3 days and immediately begin feeding on comb contents, tunneling through honey, pollen, and brood. A heavy larval infestation can destroy a colony's stores in days, turning combs into a slimy, fermented mess.
When larvae are mature (10-16 days), they leave the hive and burrow into the soil to pupate. Adult beetles emerge 3-4 weeks later and can fly several miles to infest new hives. In warm climates like Florida, beetles can complete 4-6 generations per year, maintaining continuous pressure on colonies.
Florida's warm, sandy soil is ideal for SHB pupation, making beetle pressure particularly intense. Strong colonies can contain beetle populations by corralling adults into corners and coating them with propolis, but weak colonies can be overwhelmed quickly.
Management strategies include maintaining strong colonies (strong bees control beetles better), using beetle traps inside hives (oil traps, CheckMite strips), treating surrounding soil with beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis indica) that kill pupating larvae, and avoiding uncovered honeycomb exposure during extraction.
Warm temperatures accelerate the beetle lifecycle, allowing more generations per year. Sandy soils common in the Southeast facilitate larval pupation. And the lack of extended cold winters means beetle populations never crash the way they do in northern states.
Strong colonies typically keep beetle populations in check through behavioral confinement (corralling beetles into corners). However, any stressor that weakens the colony, including a queenless period, heavy mite load, or food shortage, can tip the balance in the beetles' favor.
Yes. Beetle larvae defecate in honey, introducing yeasts that ferment the honey. Infested honey develops a distinctive sour, fruity smell and slimy texture that makes it completely unsaleable. Preventing beetle damage to honey supers, especially during storage and extraction, is essential.
Keep Learning
Browse hundreds of terms covering honey, beekeeping, and natural skincare.