hive beetle management

[dave angeli]

Do the beetles have to use the outside ground in their life cycle??
If so, what about rooftop beekeeping?
I seem to recall reading something about the planting of "mums" around the hive to ward off the beetles, Anyone know any more of this?
thanks
dave

[philip ewing]

From what I understand, the hive beetle larvae need to burrow into the ground to complete their life cycle. If your roof is not "burrowable" then you will have disrupted their lifecycle and you will have partial success! Your roof won't stop other beetles from flying in from elsewhere!