>> in your experience are organic methods for SHB control effective?
Umberto,
I've only a few years experience, but here is a non-chemical method that has worked for me:
Let a banana get so ripe that it turns to liquid and squeeze that through a strainer. Then add an equal amount of apple cider vinegar. Add that mix to 16 oz. of vegetable oil in a discarded dish detergent bottle. The banana juice and apple cider vinegar don’t mix with the oil so you have to shake it up before squeezing some into the traps. About 8 mm of the mixture in the bottom of the trap is sufficient.
I use the beetle blaster traps seen on this page:
http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/category/page81.html#!productInfo/2
My hives are kept in almost full sun but do receive a little late afternoon shade. I try to not add any more space (boxes) than the bees can easily patrol. I help a few other beekeepers with their bees and I consistently notice more beetles in the hives that have screened bottom boards compared to the ones with solid bottoms.
Regards,
Kevin
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