> I have found that small hive beetle seem to be attracted to the pollen. Has anyone done any studies on using pollen and remote traps away from hives?

Richard, not sure if I mentioned last time we spoke... but I wanted to add your SHB/pollen attraction suggestion for when others comment. Sorry, I have not trapped pollen yet, but I have been battlin' with SHB and I have also experimented with trying to trap SHB outside my hives. I've linked to 5 photos I have taken this year, FWIW.

I only had the SHB problem in one of three outyards, and found that it was because I was putting what otherwise looked like decent pollen frames in to my hives in one yard. See the frame (and note the drilling and debris from the pollen in some cells.) Not all frames were as obvious as the example I show below, but all were bad. The next image shows me breaking it open and revealing a serious infestation. Whole frames, had thousands of larva, and these pollen frames were out of another hive that absconded (and were left sitting for about a week) I was surprised, but guess I shouldn't have been, but I know what I did wrong in this yard! Would anyone freeze and reuse these frames... or better to discard?

Next, I included an unfinished pollen patty that was infested with SHB larva. I learned to be aware of how fast a specific colony will consume it. Also, add pollen patties to brood areas so they are most protected by bees. Add small amounts and see how fast they consume, then add as you understand the colony strength and need. As for pollen sitting in trays beneath... I am just not sure how to address. They're gonna be in it.

Last two images are just an idea that one of my mentors and I played around with. It's a box with a drinking water bottle set to catch beetles. The outside box has both a slant (to emulate the landing board in front of a hive, and the other side, just a slot left open. The top is covered by a piece of tin to keep the rain out, and there's an inch hole covered by 1/4" hardware cloth. I reemed out a few of the holes for the fatter beetles :) - Alas, I have not caught any. I have used SHB slimed honey and pollen, added a little water to maybe get things fermenting? We're playing with bait... but something tells me we still need bees in it to adjust temperature and humidity :(

Invested pollen frame: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/large/130926_0003.jpg
hires: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/hires/130926_0003.jpg

Pollen frame broken open: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/large/130926_0004.jpg
hires: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/hires/130926_0004.jpg

Infested pollen patty: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/large/130926_0002.jpg
hires: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/hires/130926_0002.jpg

SHB trap idea: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/large/130926_0001.jpg
hires: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/hires/130926_0001.jpg

SHB trap idea inside: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/large/130926_0005.jpg
hires: http://www.indianahoney.org/_application/media/imagespace/hires/130926_0005.jpg

Jason
SE Indiana
www.indianahoney.org
 		 	   		  
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