When am I safe from new wax-moth infestation?

[TryingToLetThemBee]

So my supers are all acetic-acid treated and tucked up in piles in the apiary shed. This winter I want to clear out that shed and put in a better shelf etc, which involves moving the supers. And I want to air them out at some point before the new season. We have had a couple of frosts but nothing serious and none in the forecast.

Am I safe in ignoring the risk of a new infestation of wax moth at this stage of the year or do I need to re-bundle and re-treat the supers after disturbing them?

 

[Jimy Dee]

Surprised no one replied to this one. Answer - I really dont know but I would start with googling the life cycle of the wax moth and if they are not around in December/January I would go for it. Research the life cycle of the enemy first of all.

 

[YorkshireBees]

In general Honey supers are not at risk from wax moth unless frames have had brood in a some point. Wax moth prefer frames that have had brood in.

In my own experience I have only ever had wax moth in brood frames and so personally I would not worry about moving the supers.

 

[Heather]

They will be fine to sort now. Treatment should have killed any infestation, and the outside temperatures now will be a good time to sort your stock. If you see anything in your brood boxes get them into a freezer, or leave outside on a sub zero night.

 

[domino]

In general Honey supers are not at risk from wax moth unless frames have had brood in a some point. Wax moth prefer frames that have had brood in.

In my own experience I have only ever had wax moth in brood frames and so personally I would not worry about moving the supers.

Someone told me this and I put supers outside only for them to be destroyed by moths. So I suspect they would use it if they get the chance.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Someone told me this and I put supers outside only for them to be destroyed by moths. So I suspect they would use it if they get the chance.

You have to make sure they are moth tight.
I use crown board on the bottom and top and the whole stack strapped up.
Even better, store them wet.
Some folk have them in bin bags or even plastic wrap.

 

[Heather]

I get big hay polythene bags from Bodle Bros. Can get 5 supers in each. Fine for the smaller bee keeper (hives not height, before you start! )

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I store them wet, as Ericahalfbee - stacked up with crown boards top and bottom and strapped up tightly or the odd one sealed up in plastic bags - they're all stored outside so they get a good blast of frost- I'm lucky I have a covered (three sides open) dog run which is no longer in use, but you could also just stack them up with a hive roof on top.

 

[Thymallus]

The only moths active at this time of the year are the ones with antifreeze in their blood, aptly named Winter Moth... you sometimes see them in your car headlights.
I'd hate to be too definitive, but this is as good a time as any to stick your supers etc outside.
Any wax moths around should be in their pupal cases and not destined to hatch until the warmer weather.

 

[mbc]

The moths can be active at any time conditions are right for them, try storing combs in a heated building, just the other day I pulled an empty comb from the edge of an occupied mini plus hive to find it crawling with larvae. Cold slows them and a hard frost can kill them, but it needs to be a surprisingly sustained very cold spell to clear them from a stack of supers.

 

[Thymallus]

Yes, if you have a heated building with stored supers then all sorts can go on.
I was referring to unheated and the original question was asking if he could stack outside which should be fine.....unless he has a heated super store as well.