Acidic Soil and ShB

[Haddon]

I find that just 15 miles from my yard people seem to have no problem with SHB. In that you go from Delta Gumbo mud to sandy red clay with a acidity of about 6 to 5. My dirty is 7 to 8. Anyone know if the acidity effects there ability to pupate? Only thing I can come up with why I can lose over half my hives and the hills people say I see maybe one or two.

[sawdstmakr]

Mike,
I have never tested the soil in town where I used to have problems but my farm has sandy soil that is naturally at about a 6 and I very seldom see SHB's.
Are your bees in heavy shade?
Jim

[Joe D]

Well down here the ph is usually around 5.5 if you haven't limed resently, and we have plenty of SHB's.  There are a few in most of my hives and they are on a concrete slab.  And I spray around the edge, so don't mow, with diesel.  but they still come from some where.



Joe

[jack07smith1988]

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, is native to sub-Saharan Africa where it is an occasional pest in colonies of African subspecies of the western honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Apis mellifera Linnaeus). However, the beetle has been found outside of its native range where it can cause considerable damage to colonies of European subspecies of honey bees. Because of its rapid spread, the small hive beetle is studied increasingly, both for its economic importance and biological significance.

[Jim 134]

Well down here the ph is usually around 5.5 if you haven't limed resently, and we have plenty of SHB's.  There are a few in most of my hives and they are on a concrete slab.  And I spray around the edge, so don't mow, with diesel.  but they still come from some where.



Joe

 Adult SHB fly in to the hive sorry


        BEE HAPPY Jim 134

[Wits End]

Hey Mike, we are getting a Tractor Supply here soon so you will be able to buy Diatomacious earth  to spread around the hives. I have been using beetle blasters for a couple of seasons but I did see more this year than last.

And by the way, hope you had a great birthday!