Your Goto Method Of Detouring Wax Moths From Stored Comb?

[Ben Framed]

In your experience of storing comb, what are your findings through the years? What method or methods have you resolved to using to protect and prevent wax moth damage to your stored comb? ALL input will be greatly appreciated.

[Brian MCquilkin]

Keeping bees in a warmer climate I would put the frames in a freezer for 24 hrs and store them in the supers with para moth crystals,
Here in Wisconsin, I leave them on the hives till October and then stack them outside in their boxes with a  board on the bottom and lids on top of each stack.It's like putting them in a freezer for 5 months with the winters here.

[The15thMember]

Keeping bees in a warmer climate I would put the frames in a freezer for 24 hrs and store them in the supers with para moth crystals,

I do the same with drawn blanks, but if the comb has any little bit of pollen or honey I put the frames in plastic bins instead to prevent drawing mice or other critters. 

[Beeboy01]

I keep the frames in extra boxes, stack them in the corner of the shop on small moving dollies and treat with paramoth crystals about every three months. I don't freeze them before storage, just stack them and toss in some paramoth crystals. I was spending a lot of time digging through my equipment so I've started labeling the boxes as to what's in them like drawn comb, comb that needs replacing, foundation or naked frames. 

[iddee]

I spray them with BT to keep cabbage loopers away from them, since it hasn't been approved for wax moths. It does work for wax moths, too, you just can't say it is for that purpose.

[Ben Framed]

I spray them with BT to keep cabbage loopers away from them, since it hasn't been approved for wax moths. It does work for wax moths, too, you just can't say it is for that purpose.

I will remember this in case the needs arises in preventing cabbage looper problems,  as well as the bonus protection of wax moths!

[BeeMaster2]

I put a 1 inch tin container on top of 11 medium box?s of drawn wax and put moth crystals in them. I put a spacer and a lid on the stack. This has worked pretty well. Just make sure you air them out a week or more before you use them. I usually put the boxes in a half circle with a oscillating fan to make sure they air out and it keeps the moths out.
Jim Altmiller 

[Bill Murray]

I have a chest freezer that any comb goes in that is suspect. Other than that it all goes on para-moth. lid, Box with comb,piece of cardboard,(old beer carton cut up, 2 teaspoons of paramoth on that, another box etc. till i cant stack anymore. Start all over again  I used to tape all the joints but no longer do that.

[Oldbeavo]

What are para-moth crystal made from? Active ingredient?

[Bill Murray]

para-dichlorobenzene or PBD

[Ben Framed]

para-dichlorobenzene or PBD

Brian MCquilkin and The15thMember
I picked up a small chest freezer today just for this purpose.


Bill Murray & Beemaster2
I just checked out a link to a major retail store, one found in every town it seems these days. 
They sell moth ice crystals which claims to kill clothes moths. Active ingredients 
p-dichlorobenzene 99.9%.  I am assuming this is the same product as para-dichlorobenzene or PBD?

Beeboy01
I like the idea of placing the supers on moving dollies! Good idea that I will use. Thanks..

Last but CERTAINLY not least
Iddee
I plan to order some BT just in case the cabbage loopers invade as well. 
Kidding aside thanks Iddee you know your stuff. Will one treatment be enough until the next season, meaning how long will the treatment last?.... 

All these suggestions sound good and I am sure will do the trick!
Thanks All.... 

[iddee]

The treatment will last until you replace the wax. IE: several years.

[The15thMember]

Bill Murray & Beemaster2
I just checked out a link to a major retail store, one found in every town it seems these days. 
They sell moth ice crystals which claims to kill clothes moths. Active ingredients 
p-dichlorobenzene 99.9%.  I am assuming this is the same product as para-dichlorobenzene or PBD?

Yep, that's what I use, except mine are balls.  You do NOT want naphthalene!  Balls, crystals, what-have-you, all are fine if the active ingredient is PBD. 

Last but CERTAINLY not least
Iddee
I plan to order some BT just in case the cabbage loopers invade as well. 

[rast]

 I use Xentari brand of BT, be aware that it does have a shelf life of 3 years due to it being a living organism for want of a better description. I received a new bag last week and called the manufacture with the lot code, it was only a year old so is good for 2 more years. Some resellers don't realize there is a shelf life and (as they should) want to move old stock.   

[BeeMaster2]

Member,
Bee careful. As far as I know, only the ones in crystal form are safe. Even they are not safe if you don?t air them out properly. I had an observation hive Slowly die over 3 days after rebuilding it. The only thing that I have figured out that killed them was that the frames were still contaminated with moth crystals.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Kidding aside thanks Iddee you know your stuff. Will one treatment be enough until the next season, meaning how long will the treatment last?....

The treatment will last until you replace the wax. IE: several years.

Thanks iddee

[The15thMember]

Member,
Bee careful. As far as I know, only the ones in crystal form are safe. Even they are not safe if you don?t air them out properly. I had an observation hive Slowly die over 3 days after rebuilding it. The only thing that I have figured out that killed them was that the frames were still contaminated with moth crystals.
Jim Altmiller

Thanks Jim, I'll keep that in mind.  I've never had any issues, and I do air them out before using.   

[LawyerRick]

100% BT Certan.  Expensive but no toxicity to people or bees & no odor.  Why use stinky & carcinogenic para when nice little bacteria do a better job.

[Ben Framed]

100% BT Certan.  Expensive but no toxicity to people or bees & no odor.  Why use stinky & carcinogenic para when nice little bacteria do a better job.

Thank you Lawyer Rick...

[Bill Murray]

So just so I have this if I pull brood comb I can just spray it and store it with the  Xentari  BT and it will kill the young larva? How long does this work for before needing to be reapplied?
Thank you in advance.