Beetle Jail

Beetle Jail with bait compartment: is an “in hive” reusable small hive beetle trap.

Beetle Jail works with non-poisonous oils or powders such as vegetable oil, mineral oil, or food-grade diatomaceous earth; may be used in traps to kill small hive beetles.  Fill the two larger sections of the traps about 1/3 full of oil or diatomaceous earth.

Various fruits, pollen, or beetles may be used for bait in the bait compartment.  Close the bait compartment lid before closing the main lid.  The traps will hang on the top of a frame in the hive.  The frame may be removed from the hive for inspection without removing the trap.  If the trap is removed, it will sit on its flat bottom without spilling.

The traps may be placed anywhere in the hive.  If there is a high concentration of bees, during summer increase, the beetles will typically be pushed to the extremities of the hive, top and bottom corners.  Traps on the outside frames against the hive body are generally most effective.  In winter the beetles will stay as close to the cluster as the bees will allow.  So the traps may be more effective in the center area of the hive.  The traps are made from recyclable Polypropylene. 

New features:

• This trap has an inner bait compartment. The compartment has a separate lid, so the beetle cannot get to the bait, but they can smell the bait through vent slots. A variety of baits may be used, including pollen, fruits, and even live beetles. Beetles love to huddle up with other beetles.
• The trap is shorter, 7 inches long so it will fit in queen mating nucs.
• The trap is ¼ inch deeper to hold more beetles, making spilling oil less likely.
• The trap's top surface is recessed, so it is lower than the top of the frames. When the trap sits on a frame, the beetles go down into the trap and not under it or along the side of it.
• The lid has a small barrier wall on the ends that forms a recessed pocket with the adjacent frame.  Beetles are looking for a hiding place and naturally go down into the pocket and into the entrance slots.
• The trap has small tabs on the ends allowing for a hive tool to pry it off a frame without opening the lid.
• Like the Beetle Jail Jr. it is made from durable polypropylene, is top-shelf dishwasher safe, and will give years of service.