Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: adamant on July 16, 2012, 06:35:08 am

Title: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: adamant on July 16, 2012, 06:35:08 am

hive was robed ,what few bees left i shook off and took the hive out of service. i found wax moths in it and i cant freeze 30 frames. what else can i do to rid of the moths?

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: FRAMEshift on July 16, 2012, 07:43:33 am

You can split them up and add them to other healthy hives to clean up.  If you don't have enough other hives, you can place them outside in the sun.  Direct exposure to sun will prevent wax moths from destroying the comb.

You can freeze a few frames at a time in whatever freezer space you have (48 hours minimum freeze time) and then put them in some tightly sealed container.

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: asprince on July 16, 2012, 08:32:20 am

If it is to bad and it's plastic foundation, just scrape the wax off and start over. Don't underestimate how much a strong hive of bees will fix/repair.


Good Luck,

Steve

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: tryintolearn on July 16, 2012, 09:30:12 am

"cant freeze frames"..... when a persone freezes the frames,  does he need to place them in a tub or some sort of container?  just wondering here....tryintolearn

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: Kathyp on July 16, 2012, 12:40:04 pm

Quote

does he need to place them in a tub or some sort of container

depends on how tolerant your SO is!

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on July 16, 2012, 12:48:38 pm

Just put them is in a plastic bag and it won't cause a mess/srceeming.  :-D
Jim

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: BlueBee on July 16, 2012, 01:03:59 pm

Extreme cold or extreme heat will kill most anything.  I assume it’s pretty hot in NJ at this point.  I haven’t tried it yet, but adding heat to a hive in the summer may kill off the moths.  Might be an interesting science experiment too :-D

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: AllenF on July 16, 2012, 04:20:14 pm

Freeze them somehow.   But remember, you have to let them dry off before bagging them or sticking them into a tub for storage.   When they warm up, they will sweat.  That is how frames turn green/ grey real fast. 
And bees can clean up wax moth problems real fast.   

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: jredburn on July 21, 2012, 06:39:56 pm

Adamant.
Just a suggestion.  I have never tried this.
Put a frame with moths on it into a large plastic sandwich bag and squeeze most of the air out of it.  Take a Propane torch and squirt the bag full of Propane.  It is heavier than air and will drive the oxygen out of the bag.  Seal the bag and let it set someplace for a day or two.  If the moths and the larva quit  moving, they are probably dead.   
If it works, PM me and let me know.
Regards
Joe

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: BlueBee on July 21, 2012, 11:08:17 pm

Sounds good in theory, but I think I would go with dry ice (CO2) instead. 

Title: Re: robed hive, wax moth infestation, cant freeze frames - what to do with frames?
Post by: hardwood on July 21, 2012, 11:38:14 pm

If you put a match to that baggie filled with propane they are goners for sure!

Scott