Honey bee colonies are vital for the ecosystem. They perform about 80% of natural pollination. These complex social structures face constant internal and external threats while making honey. Beekeeping efficiency and colony health are at risk from honey bee pests. A weak colony can collapse, which hurts regional agriculture. Protecting hive health means knowing the life cycles of these pests. Good beekeeping requires finding threats early and using proactive controls.
Wax Moth
The wax moth (Greater Galleria mellonella and lesser Achroia grisella) is a major threat, especially to stored combs. It causes serious economic losses. Its larvae eat wax, pollen, and debris. Strong colonies can often manage them. But weak or abandoned hives can be completely overrun. They are among the most common internal honey bee pests.
Pest Definition and Life Cycle
Wax moths are gray-brown butterflies that are active at night. The real damage comes from the larvae. They hatch from hundreds of eggs laid in comb cells or cracks. The eggs hatch quickly at ideal temperatures (28-33 °C). Larvae tunnel through the combs. They leave behind silk webbing and feces. A full life cycle lasts six weeks to several months, based on conditions. Larvae need pollen and propolis residues, not just wax. This makes old, dark combs more attractive to them.
Damage to Hives
The larval tunnels destroy the comb’s structure. These tunnels stop bees from using the cells. This makes brood-rearing areas unusable. It also reduces honey storage. As the infestation grows, the combs fall apart. Only silky webs and feces remain. This is called “webbing.” A weak colony cannot defend against this heavy infestation. The larvae may even damage the hive’s wooden parts. The hive quickly becomes a place bees cannot live in.
Control and Prevention
The key to moth control is to keep strong colonies. Strong, populous colonies keep the hive clean and remove larvae. The beekeeper’s most important step is storing unused combs. Combs should be stored in cool, dry, well-ventilated places that moths cannot reach. Storing combs at -18 °C for 48 hours kills all egg and larval forms. You should also clean hive bottoms regularly. Renewing a percentage (20-30%) of old, dark combs each year limits the moth’s breeding ground.
Wasps
Wasps, like yellowjackets (Vespula spp.) and the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), are dangerous predators. They hunt honey bees. They feed the protein to their own larvae. Attacks get worse in late summer and autumn when wasp populations peak. These predators are some of the most dangerous external honey bee pests.
Species and Behavioral Traits
Yellowjackets usually try to enter hives to steal honey. They also prey on weak bees. The larger, aggressive Asian hornet has a different strategy. It hovers about 30-50 cm from the hive entrance. It ambushes returning foragers. It catches bees in mid-air, removes the head and legs, and carries the protein-rich thorax to its nest. This behavior causes extreme stress for the bees. Other honey bee pests do not use this hunting method.
Effect on Bee Colonies
During intense wasp attacks, forager losses increase quickly. The colony’s food-gathering ability drops. Bees may stop flying because of the constant threat. This is “siege stress.” This stops the flow of food, which weakens winter preparations. It can lead to starvation. Under heavy attack, weak colonies can be robbed and collapse quickly. One Asian hornet can hunt 30 to 50 honey bees a day.
Protection and Control Methods
The most common protection is reducing hive entrances in the fall. Use special reducers (6-7 mm) that bees can pass through but wasps cannot. This stops robbing. Also, pheromone or baited traps should be set up around the apiary. Set them in spring (for queens) and fall (for workers). You can use sweet liquids or protein baits (like fish) in the traps. The best method is to find and destroy nearby wasp nests.
Ants
Ants, especially small, sugar-seeking types, are a constant problem for beehives. They usually do not destroy the colony. But they cause stress by robbing honey stores. Infestations are worse in dry seasons. They affect weak colonies the most. Ants are seen as secondary honey bee pests that weaken the hive.
Species and Hive Entry Routes
Many ant species target hives. Argentine ants or small honey ants are often the biggest problems. These social insects move in organized groups. They follow scent trails. They usually enter by climbing the hive stand legs. If the hive touches the ground, or has tall grass or branches touching it, ants can use that as a bridge. Even the smallest cracks or crevices in the bottom board can be entry points.
Forms of Damage
Ants mainly target honey, syrup, and sometimes bee larvae. Thousands of ants can enter the hive. They quickly reach the honey combs. They carry as much honey as they can back to their nest. This constant robbing harms the colony’s winter food stores. Ants inside the hive also force bees to be defensive. Bees must stop normal work (like brood care) to fight. This weakens the overall strength of the colony and causes unrest.
Prevention Methods
Physical barriers are the best and most eco-friendly way to stop ants. Hives must be raised off the ground (at least 30-40 cm). They should be placed on stands. The stand legs should sit in containers filled with water, lime, or oil (no soil contact). This blocks the ants. Keep the apiary clean. Mow the grass and clean up any spilled syrup. This makes the area less attractive to ants.
Small Hive Beetle
The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is an invasive species from Africa. It has become a serious global pest. Both adults and larvae cause major hive damage. It does very well in hot, humid climates. It can weaken even strong colonies. This beetle is one of the most concerning new honey bee pests.
Definition and Habitat
The adult small hive beetle (SHB) is oval-shaped. It is dark brown to black and about 5-7 mm long. It moves very quickly. It hides in narrow cracks where bees cannot reach. This includes under covers or bottom boards. Females lay eggs in clusters in comb cells or cracks. Larvae grow quickly. They then leave the hive and burrow into the soil to pupate.
Damage Caused Inside the Hive
The larvae cause the main damage. Thousands of them feed on pollen and honey. While feeding, they contaminate the honey with a specific yeast (Kodamaea ohmeri). They also leave feces. This yeast makes the honey ferment (sour) quickly. The fermented honey foams and overflows. It runs to the hive floor. This creates a slimy, foul-smelling mess. The combs collapse. Bees may abandon this filthy and uninhabitable environment. This fermentation is different from damage by other honey bee pests.
Control and Protection
The key to SHB control is keeping the colony strong and populous. Bees try to ‘corral’ adult beetles into corners. Beekeepers call this a ‘beetle prison.’ Beekeepers must focus on hive hygiene. Keep bottom boards clean. Reduce moisture inside the hive. Special oily or mechanical traps on the hive floor can catch both larvae and adults. Do not delay the honey harvest. Process harvested combs quickly. Beetles can multiply rapidly even in extracted combs.
Mice and Lizards
Vertebrate pests like mice and lizards are threats to bee colonies. They cause problems in different seasons and in different ways. Mice use the hive as a warm shelter in winter. Lizards hunt forager bees in the summer. Both are significant honey bee pests. They disrupt the colony’s order and reduce its population.
Methods of Hive Entry
Mice, especially small species, try to enter hives in the fall. They usually get in through the hive entrance (if wider than 1 cm). They can also use cracks in the hive. If the entrance is too small, they can gnaw the wood to make it bigger. Lizards do not enter the hive. Instead, they wait on the hive’s outer wall. Or they wait just in front of the entrance to ambush bees.
Physical and Behavioral Damage
When a mouse enters a winter cluster, it chews combs to make a nest. It eats bees. It also dirties the combs with urine and feces. These soiled combs are unusable. The mouse smell causes extreme stress for the bees. This can break the winter cluster. The colony may freeze to death. Lizards mainly impact the forager population. A predator waiting at the entrance reduces bee flights. This lowers the amount of nectar entering the hive. It also hurts the honey yield.
Protection Methods
The easiest and best way to stop mice is to install entrance reducers. Use metal or plastic ones when preparing the hive for winter. These devices let bees pass (6-8 mm) but block mice. Raising hives at least 30 cm off the ground helps. Cleaning the apiary area also deters mice. Vertebrates are physically the largest of all honey bee pests.
Bee-eater
Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) are migratory birds. As their name suggests, they feed heavily on bees. They can pressure honey bee populations in areas with many apiaries, especially during migration. Birds are a group of honey bee pests that are very hard for beekeepers to manage.
Species Characteristics and Feeding Habits
Bee-eaters are skilled hunters. They watch from a high perch, like a branch. When they spot a flying bee, they catch it. They repeatedly strike the bee against a hard surface. This makes the bee discharge its stinger and venom sac. After this, they safely swallow the bee. They often move and hunt in flocks.
Effects on Bee Population
The impact of bee-eaters can be terrible, especially during critical times. A flock can eat thousands of forager bees in a single day. This stops nectar and pollen collection. The greatest danger is to young, unmated queens. They can be caught during their mating flights. The loss of a queen leads to rapid decline if the colony cannot raise a new one. This makes the bee-eater unique among honey bee pests.
Protection and Deterrent Methods
Bee-eaters are protected species. Harming them is illegal and unethical. Control must be based on deterrents. Do not set up apiaries near migration routes or nesting areas. Shiny ribbons, noise-making objects, or old CDs can provide visual deterrence. Using electronic devices that play predator bird sounds (like hawks) can also temporarily scare flocks away.
