Common Winter Pests and How to Protect Your Bees

Winter in Australia presents unique challenges for beekeepers, as cooler temperatures and reduced nectar flows weaken bee colonies, making them vulnerable to pests. While bees cluster to conserve energy, opportunistic invaders like small hive beetles and wax moths can exploit these conditions, threatening hive health. Effective pest management in May is essential to ensure colony survival and a strong spring resurgence. This guide explores common winter pests affecting Australian beehives, offering practical strategies to safeguard your bees. By adopting these measures, beekeepers can maintain robust hives throughout the colder months.

Small Hive Beetle: A Persistent Threat (not yet in Tasmania)

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a significant pest in Australian beekeeping, particularly in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. Active year-round in milder climates, beetles can infiltrate weakened hives during winter, with larvae damaging honey, pollen, and comb, potentially causing fermentation and colony absconding.

Signs of Infestation
- Adult beetles or larvae visible within the hive.
- Slimy, fermented honey and damaged comb structures.
- Bees clustering outside the hive to escape disruption.

  Prevention and Control
- Deploy beetle traps, such as oil-filled trays, to capture adults inside the hive.
- Maintain strong colonies, as vigorous bees deter beetle incursions.
- Remove spilled honey or debris around hives to reduce attractants.
- Secure hives to limit beetle entry while ensuring colony stability.

Wax Moth: Damaging Comb and Stores

Wax moths (Galleria mellonella and Achroia grisella) pose a threat to hives, with larvae capable of destroying comb and stores. In winter, their activity may decrease, but existing larvae can persist in weaker hives, causing significant damage to unprotected resources.

  Signs of Infestation
- Webbing or silk trails in unused hive areas.
- Tunnels bored through comb by larvae.
- Frass (insect droppings) and a musty odor.

  Prevention and Control
- Remove and destroy old, unused comb to eliminate breeding sites.
- Sustain strong colonies, as active bees combat moth infestations.
- Use moth-resistant hive materials, avoiding chemical treatments in winter.
- Keep hives clean, removing debris that could harbor moth eggs.

  Additional Winter Pests to Monitor

 Beyond beetles and moths, other pests can threaten hives during winter, requiring proactive monitoring:

 - Ants: Some ant species invade weak hives, seeking honey or pollen, with nests near hives posing risks.
- Wasps: Less active in winter, wasps may raid honey stores if nests are nearby.
- Mice: Seeking warmth, mice can chew through hives, damaging comb and stores.

  Monitoring Strategies
- Inspect hives for ant trails or wasp activity near entrances.
- Use mouse guards or small entrance reducers to prevent rodent intrusion.

  General Winter Pest Management Strategies

Effective pest management in winter relies on strengthening hives and minimizing vulnerabilities:

- Periodic Inspections: Conduct brief external checks on milder days to detect pest activity, avoiding prolonged hive exposure.
- Hive Hygiene: Maintain cleanliness by removing dead bees and unused supers, reducing pest breeding grounds.
- Colony Strength: Ensure colonies enter winter with robust populations, as strong bees resist pests effectively.
- Monitoring Tools: Install beetle traps or moth pheromone traps to identify infestations early, adjusting as needed.

  Conclusion

Protecting your bees from winter pests is critical to their survival and your apiary’s success. By addressing threats like small hive beetles and wax moths with targeted prevention and control measures, Australian beekeepers can ensure their colonies thrive into spring. Proactive management, rooted in regular monitoring and hive maintenance, is key. For more beekeeping insights, explore our guide on [Feeding Bees for Winter](https://www.frogmouthponds.com.au/beekeeping-blog/feeding-bees-winter). How do you protect your hives from pests? Share your strategies in the comments!