Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: fishman on April 10, 2013, 04:25:09 pm
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I picked up some used (empty) equipment from a guy. He had put moth balls in it for storage when he quit the bees a couple years earlier. Looks as if maybe had wax moth in them? Question is... I can still smell the moth balls a little, does anyone know if this would harm or hinder new bees? Thanks
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Moth Balls are a no no. Moth crystals should have been used. -Mike
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Just remember if they are made with a n in the
Ingredient list it is no no but with a p it is fine.
David
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Not sure which ones were used...... So do you think I can still use the supers?
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Just remember if they are made with a n in the
Ingredient list it is no no but with a p it is fine.
David
Some thing you may like to read if this is true or not I do not know
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5782973_active-ingredients-moth-balls_.html (http://www.ehow.com/facts_5782973_active-ingredients-moth-balls_.html)
Legal Mothballs
Only paradichlorobenzene mothballs are legal in the United States.
Considerations
Naphthalene mothballs are illegal in the US.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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I use a product called DiPel PRO DF for wax moths.
It contains Bacillus Thuringiensis which is found in honey.
I spray my frames and let them dry before putting them in boxes and storing them.
Haven't had problems with wax moths bothering my frames since.
It's harmless to bees.
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Sounds like an interesting product - is it generally recommended for honey combs as well? What about residue of the product when honey is stored in those frames following season? Do the frames have to be washed before going back into hives??
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Using these products in a bee hive is not legal in the USA
http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18 (http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18)
http://www.vita-europe.com/products/B401/ (http://www.vita-europe.com/products/B401/)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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Hi fishman,
The conversation seems to have strayed from your original question! Mothballs are bad because their ingredients are poison and can, theoretically, contaminate the honey you harvest. They are also potentially harmful to the bees. But your question was whether or not you can use the boxes again, they having been exposed to mothballs in the past, not whether or not you should use mothballs.
If the boxes are well aired out you might try giving them a good scrub with soap and water then letting them dry in the sun. In my opinion, after that contamination would be pretty minimal.
I don't think it is worth scrapping the equipment. But that is just my personal opinion and not based on science or anything.
love,
ziffa
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Thanks Ziffa.... kinda what I thought. The frames were pretty bad anyhow so i scrapped them. It appeared he sprinkled the balls over the frames and comb. I was gonna give it a try.I think when he got rid of bees, he let the stuff sit and moths moved in is how story sounded? The boxes look ok and seems worth cleaning, dont think it was alot of direct contact? . I know while they are setting open, my bees sure seem to wanna nib in them alot, so must not worry them too awful bad???? Have a good one.
Fish
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>Naphthalene mothballs are illegal in the US.
For use in a bee hive, yes. But I've bought them. I would NOT use them in a bee hive.