Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Pests and Diseases => Topic started by: Jen on July 22, 2015, 05:59:01 pm

Title: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Jen on July 22, 2015, 05:59:01 pm

Cleaning out the shed and came across a hive box with 10 frames if half filled honey and wax... And wax moth, but not real bad. Put the frames in the freezer, but not enough room to put the hive box. How do I clean the hive box... bleach?

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: apisbees on July 22, 2015, 07:25:05 pm

Bleach will work or mothballs with a cover to keep the fumes in, or put the super on a strong hive and the bees will clean them out if they are not to bad.

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Jen on July 22, 2015, 09:24:41 pm

Thanks :D

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: iddee on July 22, 2015, 09:42:16 pm

No need to wash the box. Just scrape clean with the hive tool.

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Jen on July 22, 2015, 10:19:52 pm

Really? Hu!  I thought there might be one or a few wax moth eggs on the surface of the wood, the eggs are so tiny...

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: iddee on July 22, 2015, 10:49:27 pm

So what? What will they eat? Just don't put the comb back in them without BT.

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Jen on July 22, 2015, 11:37:10 pm

What is BT?

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Riverrat on July 22, 2015, 11:48:09 pm

Bt aizawai (Bta)  its an organic insecticide that will take care of wax moths on stored frames

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Bakersdozen on July 23, 2015, 09:15:06 am

Easier than finding BT, use moth crystals.   Paradichlorobenzene is the ingredient to look for.  Enos brand, in a blue canister; can be purchased at any Walmart or most hardware stores.  Don't get moth balls. 
Brushy Mountain has directions for treating supers here.  http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Resources/WaxMoth.asp (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Resources/WaxMoth.asp)

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: iddee on July 23, 2015, 11:43:59 am

Treat with moth crystals in storage, air out before use. No protection in the hive. Treat each year.

OR

Spray with BT once and have all year protection for years to come, both in hive and in storage.

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: rober on July 23, 2015, 03:44:12 pm

here's where I found it
http://www.hidhut.com/xentari-p-31.html
& another source
http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18
don't mix more than you can use. it does not keep when stored. after spraying the comb leave them out to completely dry so they do not mold. even after treating it's a good idea to freeze the frames
 ( after next time you use them ) before storing as bt does not have any effect on mites or small hive beetles.

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: JPthebeeman on July 24, 2015, 09:36:34 pm

Can also go over the box & frames with a propane torch to loosen any gooped up wax/cocoons. As wally mentioned, a healthy colony of bees will tend to matters just fine. You'd be absolutely amazed by some of the places they pick to colonize, deadouts that are writhing with shb larvae, wax moth, slime, etc... Seeing is believing & I've watched them move into set ups I would never imagine placing them in!

...JP

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: Jen on July 24, 2015, 11:55:14 pm

And here I am worrying about 1 wax moth egg..  :o

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: JPthebeeman on July 29, 2015, 07:35:19 pm

Jen, not to fret, strong bees will take care of business!

...JP

Title: Re: Cleaning Up After Wax Moth
Post by: BeekeeperRob on August 30, 2015, 03:09:18 am

Here is a great article and video on Wax Moths

http://www.afuturewithbees.com/resources/protect-your-bees/51-understanding-lesser-wax-moths-in-beekeeping

#savethebees #afuturewithbees #bees