- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
- Messages
- 18,377
- Reaction score
- 9,785
- Location
- Fareham, Hampshire UK
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 6
OK. I don't usually get much of a problem with wax moth but this year has seen an absolute plethora of lesser wax moths in and around my apiary. My stored brood frames were treated with Certan(B401) last autumn but I noticed today that there were some fresh signs of wax moth on a few of the stored frames. I removed these frames from the stored empty hives and they are on the bonfire tonight.
But I suspect this could now be a recurring problem. So the questions follow ..
1.Can I use Certan again on stored frames at this time of the year ?
2.Will it be effective on any tiny larvae or wax moth eggs left on the other stored frames I have not burnt ?
3.Would Certan also kill any larvae that have burrowed into the polystyrene hive walls (Not that I saw any !) ?
4.How soon after treatment with Certan can the frames/hives be put back into use ?
And before anyone suggests I contact Vita or look at their website - it's Saturday evening and they are not there - I have Certan and can do a treatment tomorrow and I've looked at their website and it's not clear what to do in the situation I find myself in - I'm sure there's someone on here who will know.
And, yes, I know the best cure for waxmoth is strong healthy colonies but I'm not going to risk my strong healthy colonies by putting infested frames in there. And, no, I have not got any space left in the garage freezer and 'er indoors will not let me put wax moth frames in the kitchen freezer.
In addition:
5. I've seen a suggested wax moth trap - soft drinks bottle with a small hole below the neck and an attractant of:
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 Cup Sugar (Any type)
1 Banana Peel
Topped up with water
Which seems to work very well ... has anyone tried this ?
And lastly:
6.My stored hives are Paynes Polys, the entrances are sealed and the crownboards are a good fit ... how did the beggars get in there - the only thing I can think of is that a moth laid it's eggs below the mesh floor and the infant larvae were small enough to get through the mesh. Is this possible ?
Hopefully a useful thread because if I'm seeing lots of wax moths then it follows that there will be others.
Horrible bloody things ... glad they are just lesser wax moths at present rather than those fat slugs you get with the GWM.
But I suspect this could now be a recurring problem. So the questions follow ..
1.Can I use Certan again on stored frames at this time of the year ?
2.Will it be effective on any tiny larvae or wax moth eggs left on the other stored frames I have not burnt ?
3.Would Certan also kill any larvae that have burrowed into the polystyrene hive walls (Not that I saw any !) ?
4.How soon after treatment with Certan can the frames/hives be put back into use ?
And before anyone suggests I contact Vita or look at their website - it's Saturday evening and they are not there - I have Certan and can do a treatment tomorrow and I've looked at their website and it's not clear what to do in the situation I find myself in - I'm sure there's someone on here who will know.
And, yes, I know the best cure for waxmoth is strong healthy colonies but I'm not going to risk my strong healthy colonies by putting infested frames in there. And, no, I have not got any space left in the garage freezer and 'er indoors will not let me put wax moth frames in the kitchen freezer.
In addition:
5. I've seen a suggested wax moth trap - soft drinks bottle with a small hole below the neck and an attractant of:
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 Cup Sugar (Any type)
1 Banana Peel
Topped up with water
Which seems to work very well ... has anyone tried this ?
And lastly:
6.My stored hives are Paynes Polys, the entrances are sealed and the crownboards are a good fit ... how did the beggars get in there - the only thing I can think of is that a moth laid it's eggs below the mesh floor and the infant larvae were small enough to get through the mesh. Is this possible ?
Hopefully a useful thread because if I'm seeing lots of wax moths then it follows that there will be others.
Horrible bloody things ... glad they are just lesser wax moths at present rather than those fat slugs you get with the GWM.
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