Wax moths in dead hives?

[gpjohns]

Recently I inherited 6 hives. Wax moths had been in them. I see no signs of life in anything now and know that the hives have been empty for the last winter. I want to reuse the frames, so is there anything I should do to sterilize them?

[Juandefuca]

hi gp
It depends how bad is the damage. Usually any moth larvae are killed by low temperatures , like below 0 C deg. or in a refrigerator for 24 hours. Do not try to "Sterilize" . No need for that if you do not suspect other criteria , such as AFB evidence ,etc. The bees do the cleanup job quite expertly themselves and sterilize with their method.
If it should be too much of a mess. simply replace the foundation.
best wishes
catfish

[Tuskahoma]

gpjohns,
I too inherited several frames & hives that had the residue of wax moths. During my cleanup I discovered at least three "worms" that crawled out of holes left by their infestation. This equipment had been stored in barns for a very long time and had gone through more than one winter exposed to cold weather. I had even used a torch on one to burn away the build up, but while scraping, a moth larvae came out of a hole deep in a corner.
I also had taken them all to the car wash and hosed them down with very hot, soapy water previous to the torch.
Do not trust moths! They are sneaky so do sterilize them just to be on the safe side.
If those three little worm like crawly things weren't wax moth larvae, they were something else that you don't want in your hive.
Tuskahoma

[theriverhawk]

I just did the same recovery of 3 abandoned hives. Scrape off what you can and take the frames and freeze them overnight. Frames will be fine to use.

[Troy]

i bought an old upright freezer just for this kind of thing. I took out all the shelves. I will load it up with boxes sometimes full from bottom to top.

I just run it for a couple days to freeze everything and then unplug it and leave it until I need the supers. They are safe from further wax moth damage in the freezer.

Of course, I have way more boxes than can fit, so I cycle them out as needed and store combs in the garage. Now I am using the Bt Aizaway, (first season) with good results so far.