Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: twb on March 20, 2010, 10:57:37 PM

Title: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: twb on March 20, 2010, 10:57:37 PM
I recently bought some Sinosad to spray on drawn combs to protect from wax moths.  The store no longer carried BT which some of you have recommended.  Spinosad is the replacement according to the clerk.  Would you trust it?  Do you know if it is safe for honey super use?
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: reinbeau on March 20, 2010, 11:13:51 PM
We bought Xentari (http://www.hidhut.com/catalog/xentari-bt-p-31.html), it's a form of BT.  Robo posted about it back in 2007 (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,8351.msg52246/topicseen.html#msg52246).  Our frames are fine this spring, no problem with wax moths at all - and I've got enough I can also use it out in the garden on the cabbage worms, etc.
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: doak on March 20, 2010, 11:22:34 PM
I don't know what the moth balls others use have in them, but the ones I use are 99 percent paradichlorobenzene.
1 percent inert ingredient. $ tree. :)doak
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: Wynoochee_newbee_guy on March 21, 2010, 01:03:01 AM
if you can find b 401 it fights wax moths in the larva stage.
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: JP on March 21, 2010, 08:09:31 AM
Here's a link for Certan: http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18 (http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18)


...JP
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: Robo on March 21, 2010, 09:08:20 AM
B401, Certan, & Xentari are all Bacillus Thuringiensis.   The biggest difference is the price.  B401/Certan is in liquid form for about $25 and treats ~120 frames.   Xentari is a powder and 1lb is about $30 and treats 1000's of frames.  Xentari powder will last for years and you can mix it as needed.
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: Jim134 on March 21, 2010, 09:17:19 AM
Quote from: twb on March 20, 2010, 10:57:37 PM
I recently bought some Sinosad to spray on drawn combs to protect from wax moths.  The store no longer carried BT which some of you have recommended.  Spinosad is the replacement according to the clerk.  Would you trust it?  Do you know if it is safe for honey super use?

As at Sinosad or Spinosad (sp)  :? Is BT Bacillus Thuringiensis in at  :?


    BEE HAPPY Jim  :)
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: reinbeau on March 21, 2010, 11:33:17 AM
Quote from: Robo on March 21, 2010, 09:08:20 AM
B401, Certan, & Xentari are all Bacillus Thuringiensis.   The biggest difference is the price.  B401/Certan is in liquid form for about $25 and treats ~120 frames.   Xentari is a powder and 1lb is about $30 and treats 1000's of frames.  Xentari powder will last for years and you can mix it as needed.
This is precisely why I bought the Xentari, because a one pound bag will last me literally decades.  I mix it at the one pound per acre rate - so 1/4 tsp for 16 oz. of water.  Trust me, that one pound bag will last you forever.

As for using 'mothballs', DON"T!!!  Mothballs (Naphthalene)will kill your bees.  What beekeepers have used for years is Para Dichlorobenzene (Paramoth).  Both are carcinogens, why would you want either in your honey? 
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: Wynoochee_newbee_guy on March 21, 2010, 12:25:04 PM
I got my Certan for free :-D have a fellow beek friend in the UK that sent me a case for a case of my knotweed honey.
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: Jim134 on March 21, 2010, 12:29:08 PM
Quote from: reinbeau on March 21, 2010, 11:33:17 AM
As for using 'mothballs', DON"T!!!  Mothballs (Naphthalene)will kill your bees.  What beekeepers have used for years is Para Dichlorobenzene (Paramoth).  Both are carcinogens, why would you want either in your honey?  

AND the  mothballs will smell up your wax for YEARS I got some bees wax 10 years old and it sill  smells like mothballs .                 (Para Dichlorobenzene) (Paramoth)


 BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: Jim134 on March 21, 2010, 12:35:45 PM
Quote from: Wynoochee_newbee_guy on March 21, 2010, 12:25:04 PM
I got my Certan for free :-D have a fellow beek friend in the UK that sent me a case for a case of my knotweed honey.


Wynoochee_newbee_guy ...


   I like free honey you can send it to me. I will PM if you like  :evil:


   BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: rast on March 21, 2010, 01:54:41 PM
 Just some advice from experience using BT. Try to make sure you mist it into the bottom of the cells and let them dry. The larva has to digest a small amount of wax with BT on it to die. If it is only on the outside edges of the comb, they can do damage before ingesting any. If stored damp, mold can form.
Title: Re: Something safe to spray on combs to protect from wax moth?
Post by: twb on March 21, 2010, 05:14:42 PM


As at Sinosad or Spinosad (sp)  :? Is BT Bacillus Thuringiensis in at  :?


    BEE HAPPY Jim  :)
[/quote]

It is called Spinosad.  Sorry for dropping that "P" the first time around :lol:.  The label reads like it would be ok but maybe I'll return it for something more people are using.  Thanks y'all.