In a message dated 12/16/2004 8:32:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Anyone have any ideas as to the use of Diatomaceous Earth spread on the
ground around beehives as a pest control method for small hive beetle?  Has
it been studied?  Is there anything about the anatomy of the SHB that would
prevent this from working?

I've used DE for general pest control, mostly for curiosities sake.  I have
access to other materials that are more effective.  DE is basically tiny
particles of sharp sand that is applied dry into areas that are expected to remain
dry.  The target insect passing over DE gets it on them by static charge or
contact.  DE abrades the exoskeletal plates and joining cuticles.  Death is
expected by infection or dehydration.  (Death by 1,000 paper cuts)

I would not expect DE applied to the ground to useful due to the moisture
there, I wouldn't try it to close to the hive, DE would have the same effect on
the bees.

I openly admit to knowing very little about SHB specifically, but it's
antennae shape is a type that I recognize from other insects as being very sensitive
to smells (food, sex) from a great distance.  Coming into an area by wing, I
dought the SHB problem will be solved by any type of ground treatment.

Jim Hock
Wethersfield, CT

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