If you've been keeping bees for a while in Texas, you've probably seen a few small hive beetles running across the inner cover when you open a hive. Most years, I don't think much about them. This year has been a little different.
With the heavy spring rains and warm weather, we've been seeing more small hive beetles than usual. They're one of those pests that healthy colonies can usually manage—but if a colony gets weak or falls behind, beetles can take advantage in a hurry.
What Are Small Hive Beetles?
Small hive beetles are an invasive pest originally from sub-Saharan Africa. Adult beetles are small, dark brown to black, and just a little smaller than your average lady bug. They fly into colonies looking for food and a place to reproduce.
A strong hive will often chase beetles into corners, trapping them with propolis and keeping them penned up. Bees are surprisingly good jailers.
The trouble starts when beetles get the upper hand.
The Real Problem Isn't the Beetles
Most beekeepers worry when they see an adult beetle.
I worry when I see larvae.
Adult beetles are mostly a nuisance. Their larvae are what cause the real damage. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel through comb, consume pollen and honey, damage brood, and leave behind a mess that quickly gets out of control.
If you've never seen a slime-out, consider yourself lucky.
What Is a Slime-Out?
A slime-out happens when beetle larvae overwhelm a colony.
As they move through the comb, they spread yeasts that cause stored honey to ferment. The comb becomes wet and slimy, honey begins running out of the cells, and the hive develops a sour, fermented smell. Bees often abandon the colony because conditions become impossible to manage.
By the time a hive reaches this stage, there's usually very little worth saving.
Why Are We Seeing More This Year?
Small hive beetle larvae leave the hive to pupate in the soil before emerging as new adults.
Warm temperatures and moist ground create excellent conditions for that part of their life cycle. After the amount of rain we've had across Central Texas this spring, it's no surprise that many beekeepers are noticing more beetles than they have in recent years.
Keeping Beetles Under Control
Fortunately, beetles are one of those problems that usually respond to good beekeeping.
A few things make a big difference:
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Keep colonies strong and queenright.
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Avoid giving bees more space than they can actively patrol.
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Don't let weak colonies linger for weeks without intervention.
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Remove dead-outs promptly instead of leaving them for beetles to reproduce.
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Use beetle traps as another management tool when populations increase.
No trap will fix poor hive management, but good hive management often keeps traps from having much to do.
Final Thoughts
Small hive beetles are frustrating, but they aren't the end of beekeeping.
Most healthy colonies handle a surprising number of beetles without missing a beat. The colonies that struggle are usually telling you something else is wrong first.
As with so many things in beekeeping, the answer isn't panic—it's paying attention.
A strong queen, healthy bees, enough food, and proper hive management are still your best defense against almost everything nature throws at a colony—including small hive beetles.