Don't Overwinter Your Bees. Hive Beetles Won't Survive Outside Says UAF

 Update On Handling Hive Beetles: Let Them Freeze To Death 

Too cold for bees and beetles. 

An Ongoing Story: October 9th, 2025 

Hive beetles, which contaminate honey, have made their way into the Copper Valley's apiaries. (See story about the infestation in this Journal). 

The Journal wrote to Gino Graziano, at UAF, who deals with invasive species.

He said the best thing to do was freeze the hives and kill the beetles:

Beetles Can't Survive Cold Temperatures

They should only be an issue if you try to overwinter the bees.  It will be best if people in this area let everything freeze over the winter.  The beetles won't make it in under -10F. But if you overwinter the bees they will keep the hive plenty warm for their survival and can then spread to other hives next season. 

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 THE JOURNAL ARCHIVES 

MIKE SWISHER, BEEKEEPER 

AUGUST, 1991