Wax Moth Residue

[casper_zip]

Hey there:

Fellow gave me three hives (no bees). I got them home, and started disassembly. They are all grossed out with the web worm debri (what old timers called it). I think now it is called wax moth.

If I'm right this is a huge case of wax moth. The hives have been abandoned for almost 2 years.

Now my question is: How can I, or can I reuse this equipment after carefully cleaning it out ? My plan is a thorough cleaning (to the bone) per se', and maybe bleaching all. I am also thinking about when I get all clean, going over the parts with a propane torch and make sure no bad stuff is left. Please let me have your opinions/help/info. As always, appreciated.

Thanks and all the best,

casper_zip

[Merlyn Votaw]

It sounds to me that you are doing the right thing but maybe someone with more experience will comment. Hope so but good luck anyway

[fish_stix]

Frames are probably not worth saving, too much work. Use a hive tool and scrape the boxes clean, getting all the cocoons off, especially the cocoons that are embedded into the wood. The bees will clean up the rest. If you're worried about foulbrood then scorch the boxes with a propane torch; don't char them just scorch enough to kill any spores. No need to bleach them.

[Michael Bush]

The wax moths are gone by now. Scrape them down and use them.

[summer1052]

Web worms and wax moths are the same critter, just in different life stages. The adults are the moths; the larvae are the web worms.

Scrape, clean, scorch and pray. If you live in an area with fire ants, they will help clean it up some. I would also wrap in plastic trash bags and freeze in a deep freeze for 24-48 hours.

While there is some discussion on whether or no it will kill anything, it's not going to hurt it, either.

Good luck.

Summer

[casper_zip]

During my cleaning on these pitiful looking hive mess, I took my pocket knife and cut open a cocoon. It was hard as leather, but I keep a sharp knife, and opened it up. Lo and behold, there was a fresh looking larvae inside this cocoon.

These hives have been abandoned for a good two years, and so, to me; this is amazing how durable a critter we are dealing with in this moth.

After I clean, and reclean, will run over any/all likely looking places with a hand held propane torch. I'll see how good they do after being "bar-b-qued".

I'll don't intend to overdo it, just give them enough heat to kill these nasty guys.

All the best,

casper_zip


P.S. We have an abundance of fire ants here in La. where I live. I do use them to my advantage at times.

[bee_wrangler]

so would there be a viable future wax moth in the cocoons? is that there form of overwintering?

[valleyman]

Just my limited experience, I had a hive given to me about 4 years ago. It had been sitting for a while and I let it sit for about a year before I got to it. It had bunches of larvae residue, some web, and lots of damage to the boxes and especially the frames. I was told by an old beek to just clean it up and use it. I scraped down the boxes and then started on the frames. There was lots of boring, web, and old cocoons. I salvaged several of the frames, but I threw away the worst. I had to take a picking tool and clean out the boring. I have been using the equipment for 2 years now without any problems. I think that is all you need to do, everything else is over kill. I would say that I probably would throw away all the frames and buy new as the cleaning of all the cracks and crevices is very time consuming. Good luck.