Why Are Corrugated Plastic Strips Utilized For Small Hive Beetle (Shb) Diagnosis In Apiaries? Expert Insights

Corrugated plastic strips are utilized for Small Hive Beetle (SHB) diagnosis because they exploit the pest's natural instinct to hide in tight, narrow spaces. By inserting these strips into the hive, beekeepers create an attractive harborage that lures beetles into the flutes of the plastic. This allows for a rapid, measurable assessment of infestation levels without the need to dismantle the hive structure.

The effectiveness of corrugated plastic lies in thigmotaxis—the biological drive of Small Hive Beetles to seek physical contact within crevices. These strips mimic natural hiding spots, turning a diagnostic tool into a highly efficient, non-invasive trap for monitoring.

The Biological Principle of Detection

Exploiting Thigmotactic Behavior

Small Hive Beetles are thigmotactic, meaning they prefer environments where their bodies are in contact with surfaces on multiple sides.

They naturally seek shelter to hide from aggression by the honey bee colony.

Corrugated plastic strips are designed to leverage this behavior by offering a sanctuary that feels safe to the beetle but is easily accessible to the beekeeper.

The Function of the Corrugated Structure

The "pores" or open flutes of the corrugated plastic provide the ideal dimension for an adult beetle to enter.

Unlike a flat surface, the internal channels of the plastic strip offer the darkness and tight spacing the beetles crave.

This concentrates the scattered beetle population into specific, predictable locations for counting.

Operational Advantages in the Apiary

Non-Destructive Monitoring

Traditional inspection methods often require moving individual frames or disassembling hive boxes to find beetles scurrying across the comb.

Corrugated plastic strips eliminate this disruption.

Because the beetles voluntarily enter the strips, beekeepers can gauge infestation levels without disturbing the colony's brood or honey stores.

Rapid Quantitative Evaluation

Time efficiency is critical for managing large apiaries.

These strips provide a quantitative metric—a countable number of beetles caught within a specific timeframe.

This transforms a subjective observation ("I saw a few beetles") into actionable data ("I counted 15 beetles in the strip").

Understanding the Limitations

Monitoring vs. Control

It is vital to distinguish between diagnosis and treatment.

While the primary reference highlights the use of these strips for evaluation, a plastic strip alone is a monitoring tool, not an eradication method.

Unless combined with a trapping mechanism or chemical agent (such as organophosphates used in other delivery systems), the strip simply concentrates the beetles; it does not kill them.

Passive Detection

This method relies on the beetle moving to the strip.

While highly effective due to the beetle's search for shelter, it is a passive system.

Beekeepers must ensure strips are placed correctly to maximize the likelihood of beetles encountering and entering the harborage.

Making the Right Choice for Your Management Strategy

To effectively manage Small Hive Beetles, align your diagnostic tools with your management goals:

If your primary focus is routine monitoring: Use plain corrugated plastic strips to get a quick, low-stress count of the beetle population during standard inspections.
If your primary focus is rapid assessment: Deploy these strips to avoid the labor-intensive process of removing frames, saving time across multiple hives.

By understanding the behavioral science behind the tool, you can turn a simple piece of plastic into a critical data point for hive health.

Summary Table:

Feature	Description	Benefit
Mechanism	Exploits Thigmotaxis	Lures beetles into narrow flutes using their natural hiding instincts
Diagnostic Type	Quantitative Monitoring	Provides a measurable count of beetles for data-driven decisions
Hive Impact	Non-Destructive	Allows assessment without dismantling frames or disturbing the brood
Efficiency	Rapid Evaluation	Saves significant labor time during routine commercial apiary inspections

Maximize Your Apiary Productivity with HONESTBEE

Efficient pest management is the backbone of a thriving commercial beekeeping operation. At HONESTBEE, we specialize in supporting commercial apiaries and distributors with a comprehensive range of professional-grade tools and machinery.

Whether you need precision honey-filling machines, durable hive-making equipment, or a steady supply of essential industry consumables, we provide the wholesale solutions you need to scale your business. Our portfolio is designed to enhance your operational efficiency and product quality.

Ready to elevate your wholesale beekeeping supply? Contact us today to discuss your bulk requirements and discover how our expertise can drive your success.