The fungus Metarhizum anisopliae and the fungus Beauveria bassiana have been found to be effective for control of small hive beetles in honey bee colonies. The control of small hive beetles in honey bee colonies is effected by applying to the beetle, the honey bee hive, the vicinity of the honey bee hive, or the surrounding soils, or the soil in the pan at the hive bottom board, a composition of a miticidally effective amount of Metarhizum anisopliae or Beauveria bassiana.