Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: kedgel on October 24, 2009, 10:41:02 pm

Title: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: kedgel on October 24, 2009, 10:41:02 pm

I've been using Para-Moth that I bought from W.T. Kelley for wax moths.  I was about out so I had my wife pick up some moth balls thinking that it was essentially the same stuff only cheaper.  Apparently it isn't.  Para-Moth is paradichlorobenzene and moth balls are napthalene.  Any reason why I shouldn't use it?  They both stink about the same!  :-D  Anyone else ever used plain old moth balls for wax moths?

Kelly

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: the kid on October 24, 2009, 11:48:32 pm

napthalene is a NO,,NO for hive use
there is another mothball that is made with paradichlorobenzene ,, and those can
bee used for wax moth control
look at other brands and you will find it

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: Michael Bush on October 25, 2009, 12:57:34 pm

Napthalene will not air out, it will stick in the wax too much and it will kill bees.  Both PDB and Napthalene are carcinogens...

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: jclark96 on October 25, 2009, 08:47:20 pm

Look for moth crystals, but I have also seem PDB in the ball form, can't remember the brand name. Make sure you are checking the ingredients.

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: troutstalker2 on October 25, 2009, 08:51:20 pm

  I get PDB moth crystals at Walmart pretty cheap. I'm not a big fan of using it, but sometimes I use when I get an infestation. I'll pull the infested frames and zap em with it. I know I can freeze them, but I don't have alot of freezer space and I don't like cleaning up all the little worms off my lean cuisine boxs ;)

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: MacfromNS on October 25, 2009, 10:12:28 pm

"and I don't like cleaning up all the little worms off my lean cuisine boxs "
Maybe if you put them in a garbage bag and then freeze them it would make it better.

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: kedgel on October 25, 2009, 10:19:47 pm

Quote from: Michael Bush on October 25, 2009, 12:57:34 pm

Napthalene will not air out, it will stick in the wax too much and it will kill bees.  Both PDB and Napthalene are carcinogens...

I didn't know bees got cancer! :-D

Title: Re: Is there any difference between moth balls and Para-Moth?
Post by: kedgel on October 25, 2009, 10:28:11 pm

Quote from: troutstalker2 on October 25, 2009, 08:51:20 pm

  I get PDB moth crystals at Walmart pretty cheap. I'm not a big fan of using it, but sometimes I use when I get an infestation. I'll pull the infested frames and zap em with it. I know I can freeze them, but I don't have alot of freezer space and I don't like cleaning up all the little worms off my lean cuisine boxs ;)

If I have an infestation in the hive that trashes the frame, I bag 'em and freeze the little buggers too.  I use the PDB in my stored frames and foundation. They are bad in SW FL.  If I don't put the stuff in when I store them in a couple of weeks the wretched things are thrashing my combs, etc.

Kelly