Controling SHB with modified hive entrance - USDA website

[David LaFerney]

"We found that by closing the normal opening and installing small PVC pipes above the closed opening, numbers of beetles could be significantly deterred from entering hives."

USDA page on this report

[buzzbee]

I wonder if it has more to do with entrance size than location. The area of the entrance is greatly reduced.

[David LaFerney]

I wonder if it has more to do with entrance size than location. The area of the entrance is greatly reduced.

Not necessarily reduced all that much it says pipes plural - could be several.  I wish there was more detail about how long the pipes should be and how much should stick in/out.   

[doak]

If you can remember all the natural, in the wall and in the tree openings you have seen over the years.
most I have noticed is way smaller than the full width 3/4 opening at the bottom of the hives we use.
Do you think that having a 1/2 inch hole about even with the hand hold, to one side would amount to about the same thing as a piece of pipe? Or is it maybe something in the pipe? Or extend the pipe out from the side surface?

I try to have an entrance hole in one of the supers above the brood chambers.

Think I'll close my bottom entrances up and give another higher up entrance and give some top ventilation. I strip mine down every year and clean the bottom board anyhow.
Going with long hives also. See if I can minimize my lifting. :)doak

[wfuavenger]

from the abstract:

This study was designed to test whether colony infestations of small hive beetles can be reduced by replacing the regular entrance of a hive with a 3/4 inch (2-cm) PVC pipe located 3-4 inches (7.6'10.2 cm) above the bottom board. Colonies with pipe entrances had significantly fewer adult beetles (46.9 beetles/colony) than colonies with conventional entrances (107.7 beetles/colony).

I would venture the guess that the beetles, unless they flew directly into the enterance, would fall off the pipe trying to climb into the hive.

[hardwood]

Not to mention the elevated entrance would make it harder for the SHB larvae to exit the hive and pupate. I suppose that might help reduce the adult population to begin with.

Scott

[sc-bee]

I believe the paper was published 2004.  I think it has been determined the method didn't work as hoped. I believe it was also looked at by Dr. Hood @ Clemson University.

[bee-nuts]

Not to mention the elevated entrance would make it harder for the SHB larvae to exit the hive and pupate. I suppose that might help reduce the adult population to begin with.

Scott

This is exactly what I thought when I read this topic.  Also, when they exit to pupate, could you not make something for them to fall in which will be the last place they ever go?