Moth Balls

[Polyanwood]

Is it safe to use moth balls to keep supers free from wax moth??

Bought them in the ?1 shop. They are 99.6% paradichlorobezene. I thought that was what Ted Hooper recommended?

They don't smell that nice. Will the honey smell of PDCB???

Should I use them?

 

[BKF Admin]

Afternoon Poly,

Have a read of this: http://www.jordanbru.info/The prevention.htm

 

[ian]

Hi

The use of moth balls and pdb crystals was common, they are now however illegal and i think do leave residues in wax.



Regards Ian

 

[Heather]

Aaagghhh. I don't think so - it will stink the hive out - and your wax--and your honey. I tried it once- couldn't get rid of the smell - had to start again- But I was sold it from the bee farm shop....2 years ago.

I control the wax moth with carefully stacking all boxes and then totally covering with towels to seal any entrance. Any I am not sure of I put into a chest freezer for a week. Keep it natural
Heather

 

[jimbeekeeper]

Hi

How big a gap does a wax moth need to get in through?

Is there a season for them?

With the cold weather recently (-3 max) will that have killed thim off?

Jim

 

[Polyanwood]

I have stacked the supers with no gaps. That might keep them out.

I might put a few moth balls in the shed to discourage the moths, but not in the supers themselves I was surprised to see moth balls with that active ingredient. Maybe it hasn't been banned or maybe because Peckham feels a bit like the wild west you can buy more of less anything there.

There were huge African land snails alive in a box for sale to eat this morning.

 

[Blossom]

PDB crystals used to be the standard weapon for wax moth control in stored supers. Cold weather certainly won't be adequate protection

 

[Blossom]

Stacking supers without gaps or sealing them is no help if wax moth eggs are alpeady on the frames and in the cracks in the supers

 

[Bcrazy]

Hi Blossom

I see you live in Somerset, do I know you?

Regards;

 

[Blossom]

No idea, I'm at Cannington. How about you

 

[Bcrazy]

My apologies, you are not the person whom I thought you might bee.
Welcome to the forum and the fantastic world of beekeeping.

Regards;

 

[Frisbee]

Blossom has lots of knowledge about wax moth.

The insides of the hives he has given me are full of indents from where the cocoons have been.



Still I remember all the talk about gift horses and mouths so I'll shut up now



Frisbee

 

[Blossom]

No apology needed Bcrazy. The first sentence of your post was almost exactly what my x-wife said to me more than once!