How to Get Rid of Hive Beetles With Dirt

Hive beetles are tiny, hard-shelled, invading insects that often choose honeybee hives in which to reproduce. As a result, they cause severe damage to the honeycomb that the bees rely on for storing their honey supply. The beetles also defecate and contaminate the honey, causing it to ferment. The fermented honey is then rejected by the bees as a food source. Hive beetles are capable of killing off entire hives of bees and reducing local bee populations by as much as 50 percent. Dirt in the form of diatomaceous earth can be used to kill the larvae of the beetles, though it appears to be largely ineffective against the adult beetles. Treating with this dirt around the exterior of the hive can help prevent an invasion.

Diatomaceous earth
Hive beetle traps
Pear extract, slow-release ethanol or a brood pheromone
Hydrated lime

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase diatomaceous earth from a reputable dealer who sells food-grade diatomaceous earth. Do not use the type made for swimming pools, as it is ineffective as an insecticide due to the large size of the crystalline particles.
- 2
  Purchase and set out hive beetle traps. These can be found online. You may have to experiment with different types in order to find the one that works best for the beetles in your area.
- 3
  Bait the traps using pear extract, slow-release ethanol or a brood pheromone. Again, some experimentation is required to find what works on your hive beetles. Any of the baits can be found online. Bait traps according to trap instructions.
- 4
  Mix diatomaceous earth and hydrated lime generously into the soil around the base of the hive, and then sprinkle additional diatomaceous earth and lime on top of the soil.
- 5
  Set the traps out in the treated soil. The diatomaceous earth and lime has shown some success in killing the trapped hive beetle larvae.

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