Wax moths make me cuss!

FlexMedia.tv · October 31, 2016, 10:43:34 AM

...and I'm not a cussing man! I've made several post but I thought I would start another with different questions. I know I lost my queen and had a weak hive and that's why I got them. I pulled the frames out and I'm letting the birds eat away. I'll pull out all the combs and burn them but for next Spring should I do anything else like sanitation?

New cussing man...dagnabit!

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rober · October 31, 2016, 10:51:07 AM

with frames that aren't as badly infested you can freeze, clean, & re-use them. the hive bodies will be fine especially since you're in a cold climate.

Rurification · October 31, 2016, 12:20:47 PM

I feel your pain. The comb from those frames makes great firestarters, larvae and all. I just cut out the comb, freeze the rest of the frame, just in case, and burn the comb.

FlexMedia.tv · October 31, 2016, 12:56:08 PM

(And I wanted a calm hobby to take my mind off the day job!)
It doesn't take them long does it? I have two other friends who have lost a hive to those things. I can freeze the frames and wait until next year.

Michael Bush · October 31, 2016, 01:16:39 PM

I gave up hating wax moths. It's too much work... they are just part of beekeeping.

divemaster1963 · October 31, 2016, 07:19:21 PM

same here. wax moths only come after a hive gets week. I check hives and if I see the very first sign of moths i pull the frame and look for the problem. then if ok clean and I add brood and nurse bees from strong hive. I have not done this year because of surguries one after another. I have lost four hives because of this and they got wax moths and I just broke them down and let the night cold chill them and the birds clean them. then in the spring i'll scrape the bad frames and wash then reuse.

john

Beeboy01 · November 01, 2016, 11:29:26 AM

Wax moths and small hive beetles are opportunistic and love older comb. Don't over expand a hive and if you have a weak one shrink it down as small as you can.

FlexMedia.tv · November 02, 2016, 12:03:37 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on October 31, 2016, 01:16:39 PM
I gave up hating wax moths. It's too much work..

You got a point there, Michael Bush

FlexMedia.tv · November 02, 2016, 12:16:12 AM

Quote from: divemaster1963 on October 31, 2016, 07:19:21 PM
same here. wax moths only come after a hive gets week. I check hives and if I see the very first sign of moths i pull the frame and look for the problem.

Divemaster,
That's my plan for next year. Probably will take up a few more hives in case I lose more