Some ideas on how to manage small hive beetles.

• Peppermint candies have been shown to reduce small hive beetle populations.
• Unscented Swiffer sheets or felt strips in the top of the hive.
  • Small hive beetles get caught in the fabric and cannot move.
• Use a grubicide under your hives. Use a drop spreader to keep the grubicide from affecting the hives.

Numerous pages exist about the equipment new beekeepers need to start beekeeping. This isn’t that list, its the items NOT listed on those lists that I found useful.

• A paint multi-tool can be used in place of a lost hive tool example
• Head sweatband(s). Keeps the sweat out of your eyes when squinting at frames.
• Phone stylus: Useful for taking pictures on your phone, and easily lost, buy a multi-pack
• EpiPen: In case of severe allergic reactions.
• Equipment organization: Can be a toolbox, or just a bucket. I use old cat litter buckets.

Tips and other things I don’t want to forget.

• Bees have been being bees since time immemorial, and don’t need us.
• 7/10 rule: When a a super has 7 of 10 (in a 10 frame) full, it is time to add a new super.
• Spraying new foundation with 1:1 sugar water will help draw out wax.