The Beetle Jail is baitable, containing a compartment in the middle to place bait. On both sides of the bait compartment there are compartments designed to hold oil. The oil compartments have slots for the beetles to crawl through trying to get to the bail. This is a reusable trap. The lid is hinged allowing it to be opened, emptied and re-baited.

Traps on the top and on the outside frames of the hive body is most effective in the summer when beetles are pushed to the extremities of the hive. However, in the winter when beetles are closer to the cluster of the bees, the trap may be more effective in the center of the hive.