Customized Screened Bottom Boards equipped with oil trays function as a mechanical trap within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. They utilize a physical mesh barrier that separates the colony from a catch basin, allowing pests like Small Hive Beetles to fall through the screen during their normal movement. Once through the mesh, these pests land in the oil tray where they are coated and suffocated, effectively removing them from the hive without the use of toxins.
Core Takeaway: This system replaces chemical interventions with a physical barrier and a capturing medium. By leveraging gravity and pest movement, it suffocates invaders in an oil reservoir, ensuring high safety for bees and preventing chemical contamination of honey products.
The Mechanics of Physical Control
The Mesh Barrier
The primary defense is a physical mesh barrier installed at the bottom of the hive. This screen is sized precisely to allow debris and specific pests to pass through while keeping the bees safely above.
As pests such as Small Hive Beetles move across the bottom board, they lose their footing or are corralled by bees. Instead of remaining in the hive to breed or hide, they fall through the mesh gaps.
The Oil Reservoir
Beneath the screen lies a specialized oil tray. This acts as the lethal component of the system.
When pests fall through the mesh, they land directly in the oil. The oil acts as a capturing medium, coating the pests and preventing them from climbing back up into the hive. The result is pest elimination via suffocation.
Benefits for Hive Health and Safety
Non-Chemical Intervention
A major pillar of Integrated Pest Management is reducing reliance on hard chemicals. This system offers a non-chemical solution.
Because the control method is physical (falling) and mechanical (drowning in oil), there are no pesticides introduced into the colony.
Protecting Honey Purity
The separation provided by the screen ensures that the control agent (oil) never comes into contact with the bees or the honeycomb.
This maintains high safety standards for honey products, ensuring that the final harvest is free from chemical residues often associated with miticides or beetle traps.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Maintenance Requirements
While this system avoids chemicals, it requires regular physical maintenance. The oil tray effectively captures pests, but it can also collect debris, pollen, and dust.
If the tray is not cleaned and refilled periodically, the oil may become too thick or solid to effectively drown pests, rendering the trap useless.
Passive vs. Active Control
This is primarily a passive control method. It relies on the pests moving and falling through the screen on their own.
While effective for population management, it does not actively "hunt" pests hiding in the upper corners of the hive. It is a suppression tool, not necessarily an eradication tool.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To determine if this equipment fits your management style, consider your primary objectives:
- If your primary focus is Chemical-Free Beekeeping: This is an ideal solution, as it removes pests physically without risking residue in your wax or honey.
- If your primary focus is Pest Monitoring: The oil tray serves as a diagnostic tool, allowing you to count fallen pests to gauge infestation levels.
This system provides a safe, passive layer of defense that complements a holistic approach to hive health.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Mechanism | IPM Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh Barrier | Physical Separation | Prevents pests from re-entering the hive while keeping bees safe. |
| Oil Reservoir | Mechanical Capture | Suffocates pests like Small Hive Beetles without toxic pesticides. |
| Passive Design | Gravity-Based | Reduces chemical reliance and maintains honey purity. |
| Tray Monitoring | Diagnostic Tool | Allows for accurate counting and assessment of pest infestation levels. |
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References
- Deborah I. Fels, Marcus Foth. Ergonomics in apiculture: A case study based on inspecting movable frame hives for healthy bee activities. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01973
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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