Wax moth damage

[Flyboy]

What can I do with (lesser) wax moth damaged brood frames?

I had these little monsters visit me this winter after freezing the surplus brood frames and storing them in bags. Somehow they managed to sneak in- probably an unscortched corner of a broodbox. I did not find extended acetic acid fumigation effective in treating them when I found them during late winter.

Will the bees be able to restore these if they are given back? I cannot see that it would be detrimental health wise to them or me. They are only one season old and its a shame to lose them.

 

[richardbees]

Yes ok to use but make sure they are free of WM eggs/pupae

 

[Mr C]

What can I do with (lesser) wax moth damaged brood frames?

I had these little monsters visit me this winter after freezing the surplus brood frames and storing them in bags. Somehow they managed to sneak in- probably an unscortched corner of a broodbox. I did not find extended acetic acid fumigation effective in treating them when I found them during late winter.

Will the bees be able to restore these if they are given back? I cannot see that it would be detrimental health wise to them or me. They are only one season old and its a shame to lose them.

I have the same happen this winter

 

[Amari]

What can I do with (lesser) wax moth damaged brood frames?

I had these little monsters visit me this winter after freezing the surplus brood frames and storing them in bags. Somehow they managed to sneak in- probably an unscortched corner of a broodbox. I did not find extended acetic acid fumigation effective in treating them when I found them during late winter.
Will the bees be able to restore these if they are given back? I cannot see that it would be detrimental health wise to them or me. They are only one season old and its a shame to lose them.

I'm surprised the acetic acid did not work - ?repeat. Or you could fumigate with sulphur strips - listed in at least one supplier's catalogue.
Richardbees (post above) is a tad optimistic to think you could spot and destroy WM eggs

 

[masterBK]

How long did you have them in the freezer? Try it again and leave for a few days. 80% Acetic acid is not cheap (would be cheaper to refresh frames with new foundation) and can be a hazardous liquid to use at that strength. Sulphur strip fumigation is cheap and fairly effective if done properly but can be a problem if you suffer from Asthma.

 

[Flyboy]

I froze it for at least 24h at -25'C in a vacuum sealed freezer. The acetic acid just seemed to have slowed them down; I had it on for one to two weeks. Needless to say the fumes are wicked!
The boxes are definately going into the freezer too this year!

 

[Heather]

looked on 'search'.. honest. Poly hive - what can repair the wax moth tunnels in the floor

 

[BeeJayBee]

Foam filler. Let it dry, then cut off flush with a knife and then paint over, otherwise the bees will mine it out.

Haven't tried it myself, but that's what I've been advised to do, if needed, by a very experienced local beekeeper who has a huge number of poly hives.

 

[Heather]

Cheers . Great help.

 

[Tom Bick]

This is a bit of wax moth damage probably the greater wax moth.

ps you should have seen the frames.

 

[Flyboy]

Ouch! That is bad - look as if you had a mad carpenter with a gouch visiting.

 

[masterBK]

Not probably but most definitely Greater WM as lesser doesn't do that to the woodwork

 

[Tom Bick]

Thankfully not my any of my kit but a friends, he had three supers like this and some of the frames with big holes in them. He said he treated once over the winter but something went wrong big time

 

[Cazza]

I've been using Certan for a while now. Working well for me as I haven't got a suitable freezer.
Cazza

 

[Roola]

agree Cazza, I use Certan and it seems to work a treat.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I've been using Certan for a while now. Working well for me as I haven't got a suitable freezer.
Cazza

I've been thinking about using it, what's the best way to apply?