REGARDING           RE>Wax moths
 
Tim Channell wrote:
>I have been beekeeping for several years and recently had a bad attack of
wax moths on my hives.  So I have one question: how do I get rid of the
moths?  They have wiped out one of my hives and I fear they will take on
the other soon.  Is it a lost cause?  Should I just start over with new
bee swarms in the spring?  Want the moths attack this new colony also?<
 
Generally, a large infiltration of wax moths is a sign that the colony itself
is in serious trouble.  Wax moths cannot gain a foothold in a healthy colony,
even though maybe one or two larvae may be able to hide away in a crack
somewhere.  A hopelessly queenless hive will be subject to such a wax moth
invasion, as will one dying of AFB or varroa mites (or diseases spread by
them).  As been has suggested, freezing weather will kill off wax moths - so
will putting the frames in a freezer for overnight or so.  As has also been
suggested, Certan will kill these larvae and PDB crystals will keep the moths
out of stored combs.  But none of these remedies can be used with a living
colony.  I suggest that you carefully inspect your colonies to find out what
else is going on, remedy that, and you can build your colonies up again
without fear of wax moth damage.
 
Teed Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA