how to store wet supers - ants/mice/damp

[Erichalfbee]

yeah caught it just in time I think ... or maybe didnt give enough Dipel in the sprayer

point noted about the crownboard every so often too !

I stock up with Payne’s crownboards. They are ideal for just that

 

[Millet]

I store mine on a perspex crown board (no feed hole) and another on top..and to date i have had no problems and i have used no chemicals...
Now i have said this i will get hammered with wax moth this year..

 

[citrus]

what about mould on your super frames ?

was maybe a bit generous with the Dipel/water mix and so with a bit of honey as well some of the bottom supers are showing mould on them in the stack in the garage.

any suggestions on how to handle this ... shake out the residue Dipel/water mix and let them dry out but then worried about wax moth reattacks

 

[Swarm]

You are supposed to spray the combs lightly and let them air dry before storing. They should not be dripping with the stuff, just a fine spray. I'd wipe down what I could with paper towel and then let them air.

 

[pargyle]

You are supposed to spray the combs lightly and let them air dry before storing. They should not be dripping with the stuff, just a fine spray. I'd wipe down what I could with paper towel and then let them air.

Yes .. those 2 litre pressure garden sprayers with the spray set to a very fine mist do a great job of it ... just a light mist is enough .. the spores are in their millions and they multiply if they find a host .. wax moth eggs and larvae.

 

[pargyle]

Storage... I've just picked up a second hand Keter Maxi store for a very small sum on Preloved.. it will take two stacks of supers side by side and there's a bit of space left for a couple of nucs I reckon.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4349516

 

[Beefriendly]

. the spores are in their millions and they multiply if they find a host .. wax moth eggs and larvae.

Spores don't multiply Pargyle, they "hatch" as living bacterium.
However, it's not the bacteria that kills the larvae it is the Bt toxin already crystallised amongst the spores which does the job. These toxins are produced during the sporulation phase of the bacteria as parasporal crystals. So the toxin (the lethal agent) is already there when you spray your frames.
When the wax moth larvae (not the eggs) ingests the spores it's also ingesting the toxin which stops the larvae from feeding (within hours), which then dies from starvation. This paves the way for the emerging bacterium to have a free feed on the tissue of the dead larvae.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Spores don't multiply Pargyle, they "hatch" as living bacterium.
However, it's not the bacteria that kills the larvae it is the Bt toxin already crystallised amongst the spores which does the job. These toxins are produced during the sporulation phase of the bacteria as parasporal crystals. So the toxin (the lethal agent) is already there when you spray your frames.
When the wax moth larvae (not the eggs) ingests the spores it's also ingesting the toxin which stops the larvae from feeding (within hours), which then dies from starvation. This paves the way for the emerging bacterium to have a free feed on the tissue of the dead larvae.

That’s really interesting
I never really understood how this stuff worked
Does it work the same way in cabbage caterpillars, sawfly larvae and vine weevils?

 

[Beefriendly]

That’s really interesting
I never really understood how this stuff worked
Does it work the same way in cabbage caterpillars, sawfly larvae and vine weevils?

Different strains of B.Thuringenesis produce different specific toxin , some for black fly and mosquito which won't kill wax moth lavae....but essentially this is the way it kills any of it's specific "hosts", although there are bound to be exceptions....BUt yes this is the wya it kills sawfly larvae etc. Biological warfare

 

[pargyle]

Spores don't multiply Pargyle, they "hatch" as living bacterium.
However, it's not the bacteria that kills the larvae it is the Bt toxin already crystallised amongst the spores which does the job. These toxins are produced during the sporulation phase of the bacteria as parasporal crystals. So the toxin (the lethal agent) is already there when you spray your frames.
When the wax moth larvae (not the eggs) ingests the spores it's also ingesting the toxin which stops the larvae from feeding (within hours), which then dies from starvation. This paves the way for the emerging bacterium to have a free feed on the tissue of the dead larvae.

I'll accept the correction ..my laymans terms. It's an interesting and clear explanation of how the stuff works, thank you .. I knew the basic principle .. I use Nematodes to control the slug population on my allotment - it has to be the way forward for controlling a lot of pests and parasites. We could really use one to assist with Varroa.

 

[citrus]

You are supposed to spray the combs lightly and let them air dry before storing. They should not be dripping with the stuff, just a fine spray. I'd wipe down what I could with paper towel and then let them air.

ah fair enough .... I just got a bit paranoid and so drenched them !

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

I'll accept the correction ..my laymans terms. It's an interesting and clear explanation of how the stuff works, thank you .. I knew the basic principle .. I use Nematodes to control the slug population on my allotment - it has to be the way forward for controlling a lot of pests and parasites. We could really use one to assist with Varroa.

Is there one for politicians?