Topbait Plus Small Hive Beetle Bait 60g Single or Twin Pack

Small Hive Beetle Bait 60g or Twin Pack gives beekeepers a safe and effective way to manage beetle pressure inside the hive. This gel bait works with APIS traps, and it helps protect colonies by drawing beetles into the enclosure where bees cannot reach the bait. Because the product is APVMA approved, you can use it with confidence during routine hive checks.

Why Choose Small Hive Beetle Bait 60g or Twin Pack

Topbait Plus Small Hive Beetle Bait is an Australian made gel bait designed for use inside the APIS Small Hive Beetle Trap. This bait is APVMA approved and provides a safe and effective control option for beekeepers managing SHB pressure. The gel is placed inside the centre well of the trap, positioned on top of the frames where beetles are most active.

Product Overview

This bait has been developed specifically for Australian beekeeping conditions. The gel formulation attracts adult beetles while remaining inaccessible to bees when used correctly inside the APIS trap enclosure. It suits both hobby and commercial beekeepers who want a reliable SHB management tool.

When you use Small Hive Beetle Bait 60g or Twin Pack with the APIS trap system, the beetles move upward into the enclosure where the gel is placed.

What the Small Hive Beetle Does

The Small Hive Beetle (SHB) lives in beehives and pupates in the soil around your hive when conditions are warm and moist. It is an introduced pest that has spread rapidly over the east coast of Australia. A few beetles can generate large numbers and easily slime out a hive. As a result, they have changed beekeeping practices across the country.

How the Hive Beelte Bait Works Inside the Trap

When used with the APIS Small Hive Beetle Trap, bees push the beetles upward into the trap through narrow slots. These slots are designed so bees cannot reach the bait, which keeps the gel targeted to beetles only.

How to use Topbait™ Plus

Correct APIS Trap Placement

Step 1: Place 1 gram of gel bait into the centre well of the trap. Close the trap securely by clicking the side pins and locking bar into position. Position traps in the corners of the top honey box. For best results, use two traps per hive on opposite corners.

Step 2: As the beetles enter the traps and eat the bait, it is a common occurrence that bees will propolis the trap entries in an effort to trap them inside. To counter this, we recommend checking the traps routinely every 7 days and clearing the propolis from the slots with your hive tool if required.

Step 3: Repeat the process. Inspect traps weekly and replace bait as needed. SHB control is ongoing but straightforward with consistent maintenance.

For a quick demonstration, view the Video Tutorial. https://youtube.com/shorts/Z6KHN3Tkpz4?si=o7-dYj9iJX6fJfzU

Additional Information

The trap design prevents bees, including Caucasian bees with 9 mm tongues and Italian bees with 7 mm tongues, from accessing the bait well. This ensures the bait remains targeted to beetles only.

Topbait Plus underwent extensive testing over three years, including environmental, toxicology and necropsy studies across more than 60 hives in two states. The results supported APVMA approval in October 2017.

APVMA Approval Number 68330/108733

For your safety and peace of mind, you can view the Safety Data Sheet

For more information please visit the APIS Ecology Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/apisecolog