I expect to have many boxes full of freshly extracted combs next weekend. I don't want to store the boxes & combs with moth flakes until they get back on the hives for refilling (boxes to be added as needed) over the next 6-8 weeks.
If I store the boxes of comb on their ends, in the open air & sunshine, will that work well to prevent small hive beetle infestation like it does with wax moths?
I know bees & wasps will cleanup the honey residue from the comb & that's OK with me, but there is some pollen scattered in the cells, which is extra incentive for the beetles & moths to get on the stored combs.
I'll have too many boxes to put back on their hives all at one time, which would result in too much empty space for the bees to patrol to keep pests away.
I don't have freezer space, and I'm trying to avoid buying one just to store the combs until needed...although that would probably be ideal.
Storing the combs under water would work too, but that would present a whole new set of problems in itself.
If I store the boxes of comb on their ends, in the open air & sunshine, will that work well to prevent small hive beetle infestation like it does with wax moths?
I know bees & wasps will cleanup the honey residue from the comb & that's OK with me, but there is some pollen scattered in the cells, which is extra incentive for the beetles & moths to get on the stored combs.
I'll have too many boxes to put back on their hives all at one time, which would result in too much empty space for the bees to patrol to keep pests away.
I don't have freezer space, and I'm trying to avoid buying one just to store the combs until needed...although that would probably be ideal.
Storing the combs under water would work too, but that would present a whole new set of problems in itself.