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Larvae?

  • 18 Nov 2022 8:57 PM
    Reply # 12995232 on 12993268
    do you think if the frame is stored in a zip lock bag would that control them.  
  • 18 Nov 2022 6:25 PM
    Reply # 12995148 on 12993268
    Jamie Hula (Administrator)

    I looked under the inner cover today and didn't see any webbing and I also didn't see any more larvae.  It was too cold and windy to pull any frames.  The hive seems full of bees and the inner cover was sealed down with honey.

    I am going to think positive. I switched this hive from sugar syrup to sugar blocks today.  Maybe the syrup was attracting moths?

    In any case, much research was done on my part on both wax moths and small hive beetles and I am wiser than I was.  I also know that I don't want either one of these pests!

    Thank you Brad and Claire for your responses. 





  • 18 Nov 2022 4:02 PM
    Reply # 12995056 on 12993268

    The only time I have seen wax moth larvae is on frames in storage. They make a horrible mess of webbing and destroy the wax.  I've heard they could cause problems to a hive if the hive was very weak.

    Did you see any webbing inside the hive?

    Kathy uses paramoth for her stored combs. It's not the same as moth balls which should never be used.

    I put a few frames at a time in the freezer and then seal them up in totes.

    Supposedly wax moths don't like light. So even an open hive box should work as long as you don't have mice problems.  One winter the wax moths didn't destroy my comb but the mice did.

    I don't think you can have wax moth larva if there's not a "colony" of wax moths in the hive.  They can't just be by themselves, I don't think. (But then I'm wrong 50% of the time!)






  • 17 Nov 2022 12:16 PM
    Reply # 12993324 on 12993268
    Brad York (Administrator)

    Yes.  Very.

    I think it is wax moth larvae. 

    Here is an excellent article on the issue.

    https://beekeepinglove.com/how-to-you-get-rid-of-wax-moths-in-your-beehive

    Last modified: 17 Nov 2022 2:01 PM | Brad York (Administrator)
  • 17 Nov 2022 11:49 AM
    Message # 12993268
    Jamie Hula (Administrator)

    I saw two or three of these little creatures while working in my hives yesterday. They were only on the outside of one hive. Should I be concerned?

    Thank you!

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