SHB Eggs

[Ben Framed]

For educational purposes;  It is my understanding that SHB eggs will die when frozen. Now for the question, at what temperature will SHB eggs die ABOVE freezing?
Thanks,
Phillip

[Ben Framed]

Bump

[BeeMaster2]

Phillip,
It is the freezing acting of expansion of water that damages the egg. You have to get the egg cold enough to actually freeze solid.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Phillip,
It is the freezing acting of expansion of water that damages the egg. You have to get the egg cold enough to actually freeze solid.
Jim Altmiller

I am glad to know this Jim. Thank you for your good answer.
Phillip

[Ben Framed]

My curiosity still is not rested.  I will rephrase  the question, will SHB eggs die at any temperature above freezing?
Thanks all,
Phillip

[The15thMember]

My curiosity still is not rested.  I will rephrase  the question, will SHB eggs die at any temperature above freezing?
Thanks all,
Phillip

Based on what Jim said, and Jim please correct me if I?m wrong, I would say no.  It is not the cold that kills the embryo in the egg, but the actual expansion of the fluid and it becoming solid ice, which causes the egg to crack or burst, or simply destroys the embryo since it is no longer suspended in a fluid but now trapped inside a solid. The process of the ice crystals forming around the embryo could easily impale it or rip it apart.  Presuming the egg?s fluid to be essentially water, it would be almost exactly 32 degrees Fahrenheit at which this process would occur.

I would assume there is also a maximum temp the egg can withstand, but I?m also assuming the conversation here is regarding killing the eggs through cold means and not hot.

[Ben Framed]

Thanks member, yes I understood Jim?s angle and his assessment was completely correct as far as the freezing and bursting of the embryo goes. When I first asked the question I was in a tight spot.. I needed a quick education answer.
I had just extracted 5 gallons of honey, and there was wax mixed in. I had noticed SHB When I first opened one of the boxes. Not many Beatles, maybe four or five.  But Beatles just the same. All three freezers were Full.  I have read here, to ensure no lava hatching in our honey especially comb honey,  it is best to freeze. My only reprieve was an outside refrigerator. Which had plenty of room in the cooling department.  With no other choice, and wanting to be safe and save this cargo, not knowing what the results might be per the question. I placed a top on the bucket and put it in the refrigerator.  Hoping the cold would do the trick. Hoping it would kill any small have beetle eggs which may or may not have been present. My question to myself, Did I kill any eggs or simply none existed to begin with? Doing this tricky experiment turned out well.  But I still do not have the answer to my question. Will small have beetle eggs die, at cold temperatures above freezing? This I may never know. Did I kill any beetle eggs with cold? To bad I can?t borrow iddees crystal ball and find out.

Thanks,
Phillip

[CoolBees]

Phillip - not sure if this would help, but most refrigerators - when set to the lowest temperature setting - become freezers. This might be helpful to you for a short duration.

Regarding the SHB eggs - I think the answer is "no, above freezing they don't die". However, I thought I read somewhere the eggs can be removed from honey via straining ... but I don't know what screen size to use. ... just some thoughts.

 

[Ben Framed]

Phillip - not sure if this would help, but most refrigerators - when set to the lowest temperature setting - become freezers. This might be helpful to you for a short duration.

Regarding the SHB eggs - I think the answer is "no, above freezing they don't die". However, I thought I read somewhere the eggs can be removed from honey via straining ... but I don't know what screen size to use. ... just some thoughts.

Thanks once again Alan, for your input.. Much appreciated. 
Phillip