Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: Nkwazi on June 09, 2013, 06:07:12 pm

Title: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: Nkwazi on June 09, 2013, 06:07:12 pm
I got two hives given to me and am in the process of cleaning them out.  Most of the hive seems fine, but two of the frames have something that looks like bits of wool in the middle part of the comb.  It doesn't look like it's mould or fungus or even anything like insects.  Is it possible that it's something the bees carried into and accidentally incorporated into the comb or is it actually a disease or something I haven't read about yet. (Which is very likely, since I'm just starting)
Title: Re: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: bailey on June 09, 2013, 06:17:09 pm
Probably wax moth webs
A pic would help be sure
Title: Re: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: Nkwazi on June 09, 2013, 10:12:57 pm

I'll send an image to the admins, since I can't post links yet.
Title: Re: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: asprince on June 10, 2013, 08:13:44 am
Look for wax moth larvae.

Steve
Title: Re: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: Nkwazi on June 10, 2013, 11:46:12 am
I looked at pictures of what a wax moth infestation looks like and it doesn't look anything like that.  The combs are all empty as well.  The cells were all built, but they never seemed to have had any honey or pupae in them.  Maybe wool was a bad description.  It looked like someone unravelled an old carpet and stuffed pieces in the comb.  There were no dead larvae or casings or anything else that would point in the direction of wax moths either.
Title: Re: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: Oblio13 on June 10, 2013, 03:01:36 pm
Mouse nest?
Title: Re: Pieces of what looks like wool in old hive
Post by: Nkwazi on June 10, 2013, 03:31:07 pm
Actually, that might just be it.  Never even thought of it.  One less thing to worry about.