Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: drgenegarris on June 22, 2006, 11:52:50 AM

Title: Wax Moth and Something else
Post by: drgenegarris on June 22, 2006, 11:52:50 AM
This morning I replaced the deeps in the brood nest with deeps that I had drilled 3 3/4" holes in to be used as upper entrances.   I also got to try out the new smoker that was my Father's Day present.

When I looked on the bottom board of my H1 hive I saw little worms and a a collection of debris.  I decided to do some housecleaning and the detrius had wax moth caterpillars in them.  Arrrggghh.  I smashed and cut with the hive tool.  I replaced the bottom board with a spare and put the formerly wormy one to bleach in the sun.

Tiny wormlike creatures were crawling around on the bottom board.  At least 30 of them.  Could they be wax moth also?  I know the big ones were.  What does the SHB look like pre beatle?
Title: Wax Moth and Something else
Post by: ctsoth on June 22, 2006, 01:25:58 PM
I would fill in those holes and keep your entrance smaller to make your hive more defensible.  I would reckon you have small rive beatle crawlin around.

Edit:  Yes, small Rive beatle, much worse than the dreaded smald Hive beatle.
Title: Wax Moth and Something else
Post by: Brian D. Bray on June 22, 2006, 10:48:50 PM
I do not use "ventilation holes" in my hives.  They cause more problems than they cure--I'd put a cork in them (Literally).  
Going to SBB will also eliminate things (SHB or Wax Moth) using it for a staging area to invade the hive.
I also use inner tops that hve been notched out and screen stapled over the notch for ventilation.  
If you have to drill anything, drill the sides of your tops so that air can flow across the toop of the hive between the top and the inner tops.  The bees will draw in how much they need for ventilation and evaporation of nector.  The screening doesn't let the parasites in.
Title: Wax Moth and Something else
Post by: Michael Bush on June 24, 2006, 11:22:13 PM
Sounds like SHB but it could be wax moths...