The small hive beetle (SHB) has been found in some bee hives in the South Central Region of North Carolina. Officials from the Apiary Inspection Services of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are asking for you cooperation in this matter. We are asking for beekeepers in this region to call your local office of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and provide them with your name, telephone number and the number of hives you have. This information will be given to the NCDA&CS Apiary inspection team who wil make arrangements to inspect your hive for this pest.
The small hive beetle invades weak bee colonies. In turn, these beetles lay there eggs and rear their young in the combs. The young larvae tunnel through the combs causing wax worm-like damage. The beetles also deficate in the honey and combs causing more damage.
One of the remedies for cleaning up wax moth is to place a wax moth-damaged colony onto another, stronger colony. We recommend that you do not do this with an SHB damaged colony. The adult bees are repelled by the SHB and the strong colony will also be infested.
Beekeepers in Cumberland County should call the Cooperative Extension office at (910) 484-7156. Beekeepers in Hoke County should call the Cumberland office at the same number. If you don't live in either of these counties, click here to find your county office number.
Visit the following page for pictures of the small hive beetle.
Visit the NCDA&CS site concerning SHB here.
Visit these sites for more information about SHB; University of Georgia Bugwood Publication and Clemson University.
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