Thanks! These traps work well but it is important to keep the hardware cloth clean. It can get clogged with propolis and debris. If able to keep them clean then they are great! Thanks for checking in.
A tip.Turn your hive top to where the top feeder hole is towards the front.They leak when it rains and with it towards the front the less water will drip into your hive.Been there Done That!!! I also use those top feeders like that exclusively.
Folks if you can't figure out how to cut a hole on a bottom board and but a piece of metal screwed on to hold the jar lid, I don't know what to tell you.
That is an interesting variation of the under floor trapping method. Down here in Aus we have a full width tray version on the market. Oil or very fine powders are also used to immobilise the beetle in the trap
I made something similar to this. Made a hole the size of mason jar lid in the bottom board, put #8 screening in mason jar ring and stapled or caulk that to the hole, put mineral oil in jar about 2" deep. I painted mine, black beetles like dark holes. Easy access from outside. I don't want to use SBB at all anymore, if beetles can fall out they can go back up through them. I use window size screening now for bottom ventilation.
You could do that as well. This works because you can put bait or oil in the trap and easily empty the dead beetles. There are many methods available. Just thought I would share this one a couple of years ago.
I mentioned with some other beekeepers about using Advion in beetle traps and immediately got slammed by them. I am new and have been using this at the advice of 2 beekeepers with decades of experience. So is it safe in beehives or not?
Yes there are plenty of people like that out there. I have never had an issue. Not sure why it would be unsafe. If the bees gain access to Advion it is deadly to them but with these traps they cannot gain access.
Brian Lane Sorry for the late response. The traps work well though I think the best defense is a good strong hive. One issue with any trap is that the bees can tend to propolize the screen and thus block the avenue for the beetles to get into the trap...also need to check them frequently to dump dead beetles and bee waste etc. If you live in Dothan would be cool to get together sometime and talk bees. Message me on Facebook at Bruce Jenne if you would like. I am also a member of the Wiregrass Beekeepers Association...would love to see you at a meeting!
Who is your supplier? It looks so simple and yet have great potential results. I'll just drill a hole into the bottom board, place the jar cap in the hole, then screen it over. On the outside of the bottom board you need to cut out a piece so you can reach in and grasp the cap. Not too hard for the woodworker.
Bee Bob I have never sold nor do I make these. If you PM me at Bruce Jenne on Facebook I will give you the contact number of my supplier. It is not a large outfit so I don't know what his capabilities are. That is why I would rather you talk to him..
Cool. I'm glad you cleared this up. I do like the idea though. Thought about making a spacer on top of the hive and put a trap up there. My beetles seem to go up. I usually don't see them below in the hive. I'll adjust my earlier comment.
What happens after a couple of years using this trap? Do the bee's fill in the gaps with propolis? Love the idea and will add to all of my hives. Thanks
David Presson No problems that I have seen. If you are concerned about the Advion you can just use vegetable oil like in Beetle Blaster or Beetle Jail traps
You should try the Clark Beetle Blocker Shim. It will keep hive beetles out of your hive so you don't have to deal with them inside the hive. www.blythewoodbeecompany.com/product/beetle-blocker-shim/
It would be great if you could either give some dimensions of the trap and or give us the name of the company selling these bottom boards. To all others, you can contact him here - www.brucesbees.com/about.html
Charles Browning I don't, or haven't built the traps, but if you message me on Facebook at Bruce Jenne I will get you the contact information for my supplier...
Not sure how Advion will get from the bottom of the brood box and up to the honey. From my experience the beetles typically die in the trap. If you don't want to use Advion just use oil like in any other beetle trap.
A very slick concept, I like it! Thumbs up From the bootleg beekeeper
Thanks! These traps work well but it is important to keep the hardware cloth clean. It can get clogged with propolis and debris. If able to keep them clean then they are great! Thanks for checking in.
A tip.Turn your hive top to where the top feeder hole is towards the front.They leak when it rains and with it towards the front the less water will drip into your hive.Been there Done That!!! I also use those top feeders like that exclusively.
MrSnapper1d Haven't had significant issues but thanks for the tip!
Folks if you can't figure out how to cut a hole on a bottom board and but a piece of metal screwed on to hold the jar lid, I don't know what to tell you.
Better be careful because you just might hurt someones feelings. A lot of people watch these beekeeping videos who have thin skin.
That is an interesting variation of the under floor trapping method. Down here in Aus we have a full width tray version on the market. Oil or very fine powders are also used to immobilise the beetle in the trap
Interesting. Thanks for the comment. Send me some info and I will check it out.
I made something similar to this. Made a hole the size of mason jar lid in the bottom board, put #8 screening in mason jar ring and stapled or caulk that to the hole, put mineral oil in jar about 2" deep. I painted mine, black beetles like dark holes. Easy access from outside. I don't want to use SBB at all anymore, if beetles can fall out they can go back up through them. I use window size screening now for bottom ventilation.
Awesome! Thanks for checking in.
You could do that as well. This works because you can put bait or oil in the trap and easily empty the dead beetles. There are many methods available. Just thought I would share this one a couple of years ago.
i really like this idea, the large cost for hive beetle bottom boards are to much , this is much simpler , love it .
Great. Thanks for watching!
I will say though that the bees tend to propolize the hardware cloth which can become an issue. It is a great concept but requires some maintenance.
I mentioned with some other beekeepers about using Advion in beetle traps and immediately got slammed by them. I am new and have been using this at the advice of 2 beekeepers with decades of experience. So is it safe in beehives or not?
Yes there are plenty of people like that out there. I have never had an issue. Not sure why it would be unsafe. If the bees gain access to Advion it is deadly to them but with these traps they cannot gain access.
nice. can you post a link where we can buy the bottom boards?
Sue Moore Message me on Facebook at Bruce Jenne and I will get you the info...
How is the beetle bait traps working? I live in Dothan too.
Brian Lane Sorry for the late response. The traps work well though I think the best defense is a good strong hive. One issue with any trap is that the bees can tend to propolize the screen and thus block the avenue for the beetles to get into the trap...also need to check them frequently to dump dead beetles and bee waste etc. If you live in Dothan would be cool to get together sometime and talk bees. Message me on Facebook at Bruce Jenne if you would like. I am also a member of the Wiregrass Beekeepers Association...would love to see you at a meeting!
great idea
Thanks. Works well for awhile but the bees tend to propolize the hardware cloth over time. But boy it zaps them until that happens.
Who is your supplier? It looks so simple and yet have great potential results. I'll just drill a hole into the bottom board, place the jar cap in the hole, then screen it over. On the outside of the bottom board you need to cut out a piece so you can reach in and grasp the cap. Not too hard for the woodworker.
Bee Bob I have never sold nor do I make these. If you PM me at Bruce Jenne on Facebook I will give you the contact number of my supplier. It is not a large outfit so I don't know what his capabilities are. That is why I would rather you talk to him..
Cool. I'm glad you cleared this up. I do like the idea though. Thought about making a spacer on top of the hive and put a trap up there. My beetles seem to go up. I usually don't see them below in the hive.
I'll adjust my earlier comment.
Very interesting.
Why not have a full mesh floor that all mites fall through good for varroa as well?
That’s what some people believe and could be true.
What happens after a couple of years using this trap? Do the bee's fill in the gaps with propolis? Love the idea and will add to all of my hives. Thanks
Actually Craig that is an issue.
+brucesbees But is it worth it? I have built 4 and will install later this week. See how it works.
+craig kubiak I think so. Give it a try and see what you think.
I have used this method for a few years,the thing i like over full screen is it keeps los of mosture out
in summers heat, will this out gas into the hive, thus affecting the bees??
David Presson No problems that I have seen. If you are concerned about the Advion you can just use vegetable oil like in Beetle Blaster or Beetle Jail traps
where can I get one ?
what size mesh?
1/8th hardware cloth
Message me at Bruce Jenne on Facebook and I will give you the contact info of the guy I get my equipment from.
Not sure
You should try the Clark Beetle Blocker Shim. It will keep hive beetles out of your hive so you don't have to deal with them inside the hive.
www.blythewoodbeecompany.com/product/beetle-blocker-shim/
It would be great if you could either give some dimensions of the trap and or give us the name of the company selling these bottom boards. To all others, you can contact him here - www.brucesbees.com/about.html
Charles Browning I don't, or haven't built the traps, but if you message me on Facebook at Bruce Jenne I will get you the contact information for my supplier...
No thanks. Prefer my honey without Advion.
Not sure how Advion will get from the bottom of the brood box and up to the honey. From my experience the beetles typically die in the trap. If you don't want to use Advion just use oil like in any other beetle trap.