$35,000 to control small hive beetle
published: Thursday | May 11, 2006

THE MINISTRY of Agriculture and Land, has allocated $35,000 through its Apiculture Unit, for the acquisition of traps to control the small hive beetle, a pest which attacks bee hives.

Hugh Smith, senior plant protection officer in the Apiculture Unit, explained that this was part of the Ministry's thrust to increase honey production from 131,000 gallons to over 180,000.

"The small hive beetle is a new pest, the beetle punctures the honey cells, exposing it to excess moisture, which causes fermentation of the honey. Fermented honey does not have a high value on the market," Mr. Smith explained. He added that the beetle consumes the honey, pollen and larvae and forces the bee out of the hive.