Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: Beeracuda on June 05, 2014, 10:24:58 am

Title: Foundation & Wax Moths
Post by: Beeracuda on June 05, 2014, 10:24:58 am
I have plans to finish building all my frames with foundation, but I don't know how many I will actually use. 

Will the wax moths bother unused foundation?  I have a plan for sealed storage of frames, but it will be a while before I can get that built.
Title: Re: Foundation & Wax Moths
Post by: Intheswamp on June 05, 2014, 10:49:40 am
I had some supers with foundation filled frames in them stored for a while and ended up with holes in them from "something".  I'm not sure if it was wax moth or not, just small holes that appeared to weakenthe foundation a bit.  The foundation seemed "thinner" after the damage.  ???  I would imagine if I put this foundation in a strong hive during a flow that the bees would mend it up quiet nicely.  I've got a few supers with foundation in them this year that did not get drawn out during the spring flow.  I'm going to stack them criss-cross and hope the bugs leave them alone until the fall flow.  As for the drawn out comb that I will have I'm going to spray it with Bt.

I'm watching to see what some of the experienced guys have to say about this as I'm just a 3-year newbie and need help, too. :)

Ed
Title: Re: Foundation & Wax Moths
Post by: iddee on June 05, 2014, 11:09:00 am
I've had them "mark" foundation with white lines, but not enough to damage it. The bees use it fine.

PS.. BT works on foundation, too.
Title: Re: Foundation & Wax Moths
Post by: G3farms on June 05, 2014, 06:30:08 pm
Wax worm will make some small tunnels in the foundation but quickly starve to death since there is nothing for them to eat.
Title: Re: Foundation & Wax Moths
Post by: brooksbeefarm on June 06, 2014, 12:08:11 am
I've had 5 frame nucs with drawn dark combs and a frame or two of foundation in with them and end up with a box full of webs, wood frames half ate up, and the wire that was in the frames :o Jack