Disposable Small Hive Beetle Trap

Small hive beetles hide from bees by retreating to dark corners of the hive. That's actually what makes the Beetle Blaster work — you're placing a dark, oil-filled trap exactly where beetles want to be, and then letting the bees do what they naturally do. Bees chase beetles toward the edges and corners of the hive. Beetles enter the trap looking for refuge. They can't get out. Spring through early summer is when beetle pressure is highest, and that's when these traps earn their keep — before beetle populations have a chance to establish and overwhelm a colony.

The Beetle Blaster is a disposable trap. You fill it with vegetable oil (apple cider vinegar works too, and can improve attractiveness), slide it between frames, and replace it when it's full or at the end of the season. It can't be cleaned and reused — that's the main trade-off compared to reusable options like the Foxhound Reusable Beetle Trap or the Beetle Jail. The upside is that disposal is simple — no cleaning, no refilling, no maintenance mid-season.

How to Use It

Fill the Beetle Blaster roughly halfway with vegetable oil. Slide it between frames in the upper brood box or honey super, flush with the top bars. The trap fits between standard Langstroth frames. Place one in each top corner of the box for best coverage. Check and replace as needed — a full trap means it's working. For a detailed walkthrough, read our blog post: How to Catch Small Hive Beetles With a Beetle Blaster.

Beetle Blaster vs. Other Trap Types

We carry three beetle trap styles because different beekeepers prefer different approaches. The Beetle Blaster (this product) is disposable and requires no cleaning. The Foxhound Reusable Beetle Trap is a reusable XL version that holds more oil and can be cleaned and refilled. The Small Hive Beetle Baitable Trap (Beetle Jail) is also reusable and accepts multiple bait types including ByeBye Beetle or diatomaceous earth. None of these is universally better — it comes down to how many hives you're running and how much maintenance you want to do mid-season.

Key Features

• Uses bee behavior — bees naturally chase beetles into trap corners, no additional lure required (though ACV can improve effectiveness).
• Fill with vegetable oil or apple cider vinegar — inexpensive, widely available, no chemical treatments.
• Fits between standard Langstroth frames — 10-frame and 8-frame compatible.
• Disposable — no cleaning required. Replace when full or at season's end.
• Spring and summer use — peak beetle season. Not needed in winter when beetle pressure is low.

Product Details

Related Reading

• How to Catch Small Hive Beetles With a Beetle Blaster
• Small Hive Beetle Trap Baits: Old and New
• How to Catch Small Hive Beetles With a Beetle Jail

You May Also Need

• Small Hive Beetle Baitable Trap (Beetle Jail)
• Foxhound Reusable Small Hive Beetle Trap
• Small Hive Beetle Oil Pan Trap

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• Small Hive Beetle Control
• Beekeeping Pests