Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Pests and Diseases => Topic started by: Wandering Man on June 27, 2016, 07:14:01 pm

Title: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: Wandering Man on June 27, 2016, 07:14:01 pm

Vegetable oil is messy. And I think it was attracting black ants. My trays were full of gunky oil and ants today.

The last time I emptied my trays I rinsed out the trays in my back yard, after dumping the gunk in the trash.

I found my dogs licking the mud where I had run the water.

This time, I did the rinse where the dogs can't go. 

And, this time I've replaced the oil with soapy water.

Is there going to be an unintended consequence with the soapy water?

Title: Re: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: apisbees on June 27, 2016, 08:44:21 pm

It will evaporate quicker than oil will.

Title: Re: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: G3farms on June 27, 2016, 09:25:50 pm

I found that veggie oil will go rancid after a little while in the summer heat and humidity.

Now using swifter sheets, uncented

Title: Re: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: Wandering Man on June 27, 2016, 09:41:22 pm

Quote from: G3farms on June 27, 2016, 09:25:50 pm

I found that veggie oil will go rancid after a little while in the summer heat and humidity.

Now using swifter sheets, uncented

In a freeman board? Do you line the tray?

Title: Re: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: Wandering Man on July 18, 2016, 07:09:28 pm

I'm putting soapy water in the trays right now, and thankful for the comment about evaporation. I'm adding about a pint of soapy water a day to each hive.

If I didn't watch them, they'd go dry in a couple of days.

I'll switch back to oil if I go out of town for more than a couple of days.

Title: Re: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: mgstei1 on September 06, 2016, 12:07:54 pm

Mineral Oil
Only takes the thickness of a beetle about1/8" over entire tray.

Title: Re: What's in your Freeman Beetle Trap?
Post by: Wandering Man on September 06, 2016, 10:36:13 pm

I switched back to vegetable oil, and have been trying to fill the tray above the ridges. Mgstei1, You've made me realize that I probably don't need to fill the trays that full.

Thanks.