Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: Blackbird on May 11, 2007, 04:29:26 pm

Title: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Blackbird on May 11, 2007, 04:29:26 pm

I live in California and cannot get paramoth here, nor do I have a freezer to store frames in. What can I do to keep the wax moths at bay. I initially froze all my frames to kill any moths that were there but they got re infested because I cannot store them in a freezer.

Any brilliant ideas?

Also the frames I have that are infested, can they be put on the hives for the bees to clean up? They are a real mess, not just a small amount of damage. Is it more work for the bees to clean this up or to simply build new comb.

I am so frustrated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Mici on May 11, 2007, 05:22:51 pm

look at the freezer, check out how much electricity it spends-to shorten the things, if it's 10+ years old it's most probably "elektro-eater".
so..buy a new one, an A+ class one, it will repay in matter of few years, and use the old one as a storage for the frames.

if that's not the deal, freeze the frames over and then store them in a bin-bag.

i think that bees will rather repair that comb than build new one.

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Michael Bush on May 11, 2007, 09:21:27 pm

http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Blackbird on May 11, 2007, 10:29:24 pm

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 11, 2007, 09:21:27 pm

http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18

Thank you. I will try that.

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: doak on May 13, 2007, 07:50:54 pm

You mean you cannot get regular house type "mothballs" in CA? Use themm whole or crush them.
doak

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: DayValleyDahlias on May 13, 2007, 08:37:20 pm

nope..not in California

http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/conprod/ch7.pdf
I was gonna try and bee funny and say that here in California, we are not allowed to neuter moths...hence...

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: doak on May 13, 2007, 09:35:19 pm

If I ever had any thought of moving there it's gone now.
doak

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: DayValleyDahlias on May 14, 2007, 12:02:37 am

Oh there are alternatives to moth balls...like BT...


I grow prize winning flowers all organically... I am a native Californian, so I am a bit biased... ;)

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Dr/B on September 10, 2007, 04:41:53 pm

Go to Walmart and buy "Moth Ice".  It's the EXACT same active ingredient as the paramoth.  I use this and it works great.  I may have the product name wrong but check the ingredients list to be sure.


Steve

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Michael Bush on September 10, 2007, 10:35:10 pm

PDB (para dichloro benzene aka ParaMoth) is a carcinogen and those are not allowed by the state in California.  They are also not allowed by me in my beehive.  :)  Even as moth ice etc., it's still a carcinogen and still not legal in California.

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Robo on September 11, 2007, 09:32:51 am

http://www.hidhut.com/catalog/xentari-bt-p-31.html

cheaper than moth balls too,  even if you buy them at Walmart.

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Dr/B on September 11, 2007, 10:17:03 pm

Is xentari FDA approved for use in a beehive in any State?  Just curious.

If we all need to stay away from  "non-approved" products, then this is an important question.

Out of the commonly used mite chemicals in this business, how many are actually FDA approved for application in beehives? (i.e. apistan, sucrocide, thymol, terramycin, coumaphos, oxalic acid, etc...)
 (I know the answer)

Just to clarify, I only use PDB in equipment that is not being used by my bees infected with wax moths, and only for a short duration, until the wax moths are dead.  This equipment is then allowed to vent for a period, before putting it back in use. 

I have my opinions as to my choice of chemicals I use.  I'm growing bees, not honey right now.  As long as I don't eat my bees, I think I'll be alright.


oh yeah.........
Alcoholic beverages, bath soap, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant contain carcinogens, but I also use these products.

Steve

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Michael Bush on September 11, 2007, 10:55:23 pm

>Is xentari FDA approved for use in a beehive in any State?  Just curious.

Bt was approved as safe for humans and bees and effective for control of Wax moths by the EPA.  The certification cost more than the company could make on it, so the certification has now lapsed.

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: sc-bee on September 14, 2007, 10:28:01 am

I found Xentari in my local area for $15 for a 1lb package. Google xentari and go to the Mfg (Valent) web site. There you will find a tel. that # that will get you in contact with a local distributor . It is use on a lot of fruits and vegetables and is approved for organic use where agree wg is not.

Here is a technical study sheet:
Would not let me post the link!!! :-x

Title: Re: Wax Moth Controll
Post by: Michael Bush on September 15, 2007, 11:53:30 am

http://www.valentbiosciences.com/agricultural_products/agricultural_products_6.asp

This will get you the saftey sheets etc.