SMALL HIVE BEETLE

The small hive beetle originates from Africa and were found in the southeastern United States in the mid-1990's and have spread throughout. The beetle makes its home in the bee hive and because of its hard shell the honey bee cannot sting it. The best defense the bees have against the beetles is trapping them in a jail they make from propolis. Many times, the beetles are freed from their propolis jail as beekeepers open the hives breaking them out of jail. Beetle traps have been found to be quite effective in helping the bees rid the hive of small hive beetles. If the beetle population becomes too large or a beetle begins laying maggots, the bees will abscond. The maggots will leave a slimy trail throughout the hive as they leave the hive to enter the earth, where they will reemerge as an adult beetle, ruining the honey and comb.