Internal dividers act as a strategic aggregation tool designed to exploit the natural behavior of Small Hive Beetles (SHB). By creating a deliberate "safe harbor" within the hive, these dividers compel the beetles to gather in a specific, predictable location, transforming a scattered pest problem into a concentrated one for easier detection.
The core function of an internal divider is to leverage the Small Hive Beetle's aversion to light (photophobia). By providing a dark, narrow shelter, you force the pests to congregate in a single area, allowing for rapid identification without the need to dismantle the entire colony.
The Mechanics of the Mobile Divider Method
Exploiting Pest Behavior
Small Hive Beetles are photophobic, meaning they instinctively flee from light and seek out dark, protected crevices.
Internal dividers—typically made of wood, felt, or cardboard—simulate these preferred hiding spots. Instead of scattering throughout the hive where they are difficult to count, the beetles voluntarily move into the shelter provided by the divider.
Strategic Placement
To function correctly, the divider must be placed between the hive wall and the outermost frame.
This positioning utilizes the natural gap at the edge of the hive body. It is not an instant fix; the device requires a setup time of at least 48 hours before an inspection to allow time for the beetles to locate and occupy the shelter.
Advantages for Apiary Management
Enhanced Detection Accuracy
The Mobile Divider method is superior to standard official visual inspections because it yields a higher number of detected adult beetles.
Because the beetles are concentrated behind the divider rather than hiding in comb or propolis, the likelihood of missing a low-level infestation is significantly reduced.
Operational Efficiency
Using internal dividers significantly reduces the time required for hive inspections, saving approximately 25 seconds per hive.
While this seems small for a hobbyist, this time savings is substantial for commercial operations managing hundreds of colonies. The tool allows for a rapid assessment of beetle pressure without prolonging the time the hive is open.
Ease of Use
This method simplifies the monitoring process enough that it can be effectively operated by non-professionals.
Furthermore, it does not disrupt standard colony management. Beekeepers can still perform essential tasks, such as checking feed reserves or monitoring queen cell development, without interference from the monitoring device.
Operational Considerations and Trade-offs
Requirement for Forward Planning
The primary limitation of this method is the need for lead time. Because the dividers must be placed at least 48 hours in advance, they are not suitable for spontaneous or unplanned inspections.
Material Durability
While cardboard is an option, it may degrade faster than wood or felt in the humid environment of a hive. You must assess the longevity of the material against your inspection frequency to ensure the divider remains functional when you return to check it.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To get the most out of internal dividers, align their use with your specific management objectives:
- If your primary focus is Speed and Efficiency: Use dividers to cut inspection times across large apiaries, saving roughly 25 seconds per colony.
- If your primary focus is Detection Sensitivity: Rely on the divider's ability to concentrate photophobic beetles to identify low-level infestations that visual checks might miss.
By consolidating a scattered pest into a single location, internal dividers provide a low-tech, high-efficiency solution for accurate pest monitoring.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Internal Divider (Mobile) | Standard Visual Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Detection Mechanism | Exploits photophobia to aggregate beetles | Manual searching of frames and crevices |
| Time Efficiency | Saves ~25 seconds per hive | Time-intensive, requires dismantling |
| Accuracy | Higher; concentrates hidden pests | Lower; pests often hide in comb/propolis |
| Placement Requirement | 48 hours lead time before check | Immediate assessment |
| Ease of Use | High; suitable for non-professionals | Medium; requires trained eye |
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References
- Jorge Rivera-Gomis, Giovanni Formato. Monitoring of Small Hive Beetle (Aethina Tumida Murray) in Calabria (Italy) from 2014 to 2016: Practical Identification Methods. DOI: 10.1515/jas-2017-0022
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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