Wax Moth 'Crevices'

[bjosephd]

So I have read in various places that regarding Wax Moth...

"• Avoid equipment with hidden crevices e.g. frames with split top bars."

Does this mean that ideally I go round all boxes and frames and Evo-Stick up every single crevis big enough for a wax moth to get it's ovipositor into?

i.e. ANYWHERE where two bits of wood meet I guess?

It's one thing with the boxes... is going to be rather a lot of time (and bottles of wine) if I sit to do that with all my frames.

BJD

 

[Millet]

Is that not a job for the bees to do,

 

[bjosephd]

Is that not a job for the bees to do,

Indeed! I kinda thought that too... but wondered why it was advised to avoid equipment that has crevices, when the bees would probably sort it out in the end.

Maybe that's the thing... 'in the end' and so the less they have to do the better.

Only asking as there is a theory that one of my hives might have a bit of wax moth going on (see another post) so I was just wondering how to give any future bees a head start in wax moth defence.

But yep... I'm mostly creating jobs of procrastination for myself... what I should really be doing is nailing/gluing/wiring a gazillion frames together

 

[Swarm]

Most pests like Waxmoth and even SHB can be kept under control by running strong colonies.

 

[bjosephd]

Most pests like Waxmoth and even SHB can be kept under control by running strong colonies.

Totally! Good to know. That's my number one mission this season, not honey or wotnot, but to get my colonies strong and steaming.

Health first honey later.


(shame the same doesn't apply to varroa)

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Most pests like Waxmoth and even SHB can be kept under control by running strong colonies.

Wax moth is easily dealt with by using Certan (aka B401)

 

[Hachi]

Wax moth is easily dealt with by using Certan (aka B401)

Just bought 1lb of it as I seem to get it a fair bit round these ere parts

 

[user 6228]

Just bought 1lb of it as I seem to get it a fair bit round these ere parts

the bees normally apply 2n Heptanone

 

[Tremyfro]

Most pests like Waxmoth and even SHB can be kept under control by running strong colonies.

I haven't had to deal with wax moth yet. Each winter I have sprayed my wax comb with certan. You say about having strong colonies and the bees will control the wax moth. So if you had a colony...coming out of the winter...so essentially needing to build up to full strength.....and you discovered wax moth in the hive during early inspections. After cleaning up.....Would you dummy the colony down and fill the empty space with insulation? So there are no unprotected wax frames. And then expand them back to full size as colony numbers increased? Or do you have other control measures?

 

[Hachi]

I found Queen Wasps hibernating under my roofs the other week when hefting my hives and I also found a wax moth or two in the same places that I assume were hibernating too? Either way they are both no more.

Having just found a bulk supplier for Certan I will be treating this year before storage.

 

[Swarm]

I haven't had to deal with wax moth yet. Each winter I have sprayed my wax comb with certan. You say about having strong colonies and the bees will control the wax moth. So if you had a colony...coming out of the winter...so essentially needing to build up to full strength.....and you discovered wax moth in the hive during early inspections. After cleaning up.....Would you dummy the colony down and fill the empty space with insulation? So there are no unprotected wax frames. And then expand them back to full size as colony numbers increased? Or do you have other control measures?

Simple answer, no. Waxmoth in stored comb is another thing.