Screened bottom boards deter Small Hive Beetles (SHB) primarily by creating an environment the pests find hostile. Because Small Hive Beetles have a strong aversion to light and ventilation, the open mesh design increases airflow and brightness, making the bottom of the hive less attractive for habitation. Furthermore, the physical structure of the screen eliminates the solid corners and crevices where beetles typically seek refuge to hide from aggressive worker bees.
The Core Mechanism A screened bottom board acts as a deterrent rather than a complete cure; it disrupts the dark, stagnant environment SHBs crave. To actually reduce beetle populations, the screen is most effective when combined with a specific trapping system that catches pests trying to hide beneath the mesh.
Environmental Deterrence: Light and Air
The primary way a screened bottom board (SBB) repels beetles is by leveraging their natural instincts against them.
Exploiting Photophobia
Small Hive Beetles are photophobic, meaning they fear and avoid light. Traditional solid bottom boards create a dark floor, which is an ideal environment for beetles to congregate.
The mesh of a screened board allows light to penetrate the lower section of the hive. This constant exposure drives beetles away from the bottom board, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere or leave the hive.
Increasing Ventilation
SHBs prefer stagnant, humid air. The screened design significantly increases airflow through the colony.
This added ventilation disrupts the microclimate beetles prefer for reproduction and hiding. By making the hive floor draftier and less humid, the SBB reduces the overall habitability for the pest.
Eliminating Physical Refuge Points
Beyond environmental factors, the hardware design itself physically limits where beetles can survive within the hive.
Removing Hiding Spots
On a traditional solid wood bottom board, beetles often hide in the corners or along the edges to escape harassment by guard bees. These "refuge points" allow them to stay safely inside the colony.
Screened boards modify the floor structure, replacing solid wood with a 1/8 inch mesh. This removes the physical shelter beetles rely on, leaving them exposed and vulnerable.
Isolating Debris
Debris often accumulates on solid floors, providing a breeding ground and food source for beetle larvae.
With an SBB, debris falls through the mesh and out of the hive. This isolation of waste improves overall hive hygiene and removes the material beetles might otherwise use for cover or sustenance.
Active Management: The Trap System
While the screen repels beetles, it becomes a lethal tool when paired with a tray system.
The Fall-Through Method
Beetles that are harassed by bees or lose their footing will fall through the mesh.
Because the mesh is sized specifically (usually 1/8 inch), it allows beetles (and Varroa mites) to pass through while keeping the bees safely inside.
The Oil Tray Trap
Many screened bottom boards are designed with rails to hold a tray underneath the mesh.
Beekeepers often fill this tray with a thin layer of oil. When beetles attempt to "hide" by going down through the screen—or when they fall—they land in the oil and drown. This converts the bottom board from a passive deterrent into a highly effective trap.
Common Limitations
It is critical to understand that a screened bottom board is a management tool, not a silver bullet.
Not a Standalone Solution
The primary reference notes that an SBB does not eliminate Small Hive Beetles on its own. It reduces numbers and discourages settlement, but a strong infestation may require additional chemical or physical interventions.
Maintenance Requirements
If you utilize the tray system for trapping, it requires regular maintenance. An oil tray filled with dead beetles and debris can eventually become a sanitary issue if not cleaned, potentially attracting other pests.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Screened bottom boards are a versatile component of modern pest management (IPM). Choose your configuration based on your specific objective:
- If your primary focus is Passive Deterrence: Run the screened bottom board open (without a tray) to maximize light and ventilation, making the hive floor inhospitable to beetles.
- If your primary focus is Population Reduction: Install a tray filled with oil beneath the screen to drown beetles that attempt to hide in the bottom of the hive.
- If your primary focus is Monitoring: Use a sticky board or dry tray to count the drop rate of beetles and Varroa mites to determine if treatment is necessary.
By removing the dark, solid corners beetles love, the screened bottom board forces pests out of the shadows and into a vulnerable position.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Mechanism of Action | Impact on Small Hive Beetles (SHB) |
|---|---|---|
| Open Mesh Design | Increases light & airflow | Deterred by photophobia and high ventilation |
| 1/8 Inch Screen | Removes solid corners | Eliminates hiding spots and refuge from guard bees |
| Debris Management | Waste falls through mesh | Removes breeding grounds and larval food sources |
| Under-Screen Tray | Integrated oil/sticky trap | Captures and kills beetles that fall or hide below |
| Climate Control | Reduced humidity | Creates a hostile microclimate for SHB reproduction |
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