After reading the article regarding PDB showing up in wax and honey in the current issue of Bee Culture I have been thinking seriously about controlling wax moths.  They are a real pain, but using PDB religiously solves the problem.   Yet, I have no way of knowing if it shows up in my honey.

I do air out any comb that is stored with PDB before using it with the bees.  I was lead to believe by my seniors in beekeeping that PDB would not permiate the wax so therefore honey stored therein would be safe.  From the recent article, that seems not to be the case.

In searching the archives, I was interested in the use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.  I have used other Bt products to attach gypsy moths and mosquito larvea.  It seems that the israilensis works with wax moths.  As of the last archive entry (12/01) on the subject there was no US source for Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.  

Does anyone have any updated information?  I am thinking I would like to try to leave PDB behind.

Larry Krengel
Marengo, IL

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