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  • From: Randall Austin <ra41717 AT gmail.com>
  • To: "Fadem, Bronwyn Elizabeth" <bfadem AT live.unc.edu>, "ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org" <ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [ocba] Wax moth clean up?
  • Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:01:49 -0400

Bronwyn,

I should have also mentioned the article <here> on combining colonies. Rather than letting a so-so colony dwindle into nothingness, becoming a feast for wax moths and hive beetles, a better choice is to combine it with a strong hive. This is especially important as a fall management approach and is part of my three-legged stool that keeps me from having winter losses (described <here>). Weak colonies in fall will most likely be dead colonies by spring. Read the 2 articles for suggestions on how to wisely deal with them.

Randall

On 9/17/2016 12:12 PM, Randall Austin wrote:
040b40e8-a0d8-30d5-e8a3-aa73f9104ebf AT gmail.com" type="cite">
Hey Bronwyn,

See the article <here> for some info on wax moths and cleanup. There are two pictures in the article -- the first shows a moth-riddled frame & comb that can easily be put back into a strong hive and the bees will fix it, good as new. The second picture is of comb that is beyond saving.

Regardless of the condition of the comb, the woodenware (frames) can be reused, no problem at all.

If the comb still has a goodly number of wax cells (not just a blob of black moth webbing), pull off as much webbing as you can and then freeze the frames for several days. Take them out of the freezer, thaw them, then store them in a bug-proof container (e.g. a well-sealed plastic bag or bin) until you are ready to use them again. Give them to another hive for the bees to rehabilitate.

If the comb is too far gone to save, use your hive tool to scrap off the goop. Then woodenware itself doesn't need any special treatment, although you could set them in the sunlight just for good measure -- that will get rid of any moth larvae. Whenever you are ready to reuse them, simply replace the foundation.

Note that the bees will clean up the moth-eaten comb at any time but they won't repair the cells unless they are in comb-building mode, e.g. during a nectar flow.

Let me know if you have questions about any of this.

Randall Austin

On 9/17/2016 11:45 AM, Fadem, Bronwyn Elizabeth wrote:
02018625-5565-44BD-8E8D-BC7EDDB1DDA5 AT live.unc.edu" type="cite">
Hello OCBA,

Unfortunately, I just lost my weakest hive to a wax moth infestation. I had a feeling the demise of
This hive was coming, but just didn't know when and what would do it in! I hadn't checked on the hive in 6 days, and that was enough time for the moths to take over. 

Now, I am left with an empty 10 frame deep full of the web and larva and other damage caused by the moths. How should I deal with this? Should I scrap the frames all together, or is there a good way of cleaning and keeping them? Right now, it is a complete mess
And I'm tempted to just ditch them! As always, your advice and suggestions are much appreciated! 

Bronwyn 


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