As long as there is hive debris, any trap would eventually clog up or fill up...  perhaps the focus should be on an inexpensive disposable mite trap as with the disposable beetle blaster traps (regular or mini).    If the trap is not propolized shut by the bees (as they some time do, even though the oil is clear and not a single SHB in it), it will quickly fill with hive debris (cell uncappings, bee parts, etc)  and SHB to the point it needs to be replaced.  This is especially true for the ones in the lower brood box.   Even dead varroa mites have been found in the SHB trap (the dead mites apparently fell in the trap with the other "debris").   The same goes for the trays underneath screen bottom boards which are filled with a vegetable oil.   They gather all of the debris as well as any other insects who crawl in.   Even a screen bottom board with #8 mesh hardware cloth needs to be cleaned of debris from time to time

As another person has already responded.... do not know if I could solve the problem, but I believe it would interesting to try.... to design a varroa mite "attractant" trap/motel (where they check in but do not check out)  which could be easily cleaned and reused or develop a disposable trap which would be replaced.

Steve Petrilli,
Central, Illinois

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html