Acetic acid fumes have an effect and the method of use is the same as for pdb crystals, but the saucer is filled with 80% acetic acid instead of crystals. The acid is very corrosive and will attack metal fittings and fasteners. This kills the egg stage as well as all others and is useful to sterilise against {Nosema} spores.
Sulphur dioxide SO2 has been used, methyl bromide fumigation is offered by contractors, but it requires comb storage rooms that are completely moth tight. I believe this method gives protection against many diseases of bees as well as wax moth infestation.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) can be used to exclude air, from comb honey that is intended for sale as well as for storing drawn comb in sealed containers or comb cupboards.
Heat... This needs close temperature regulation ( -0°, +2°) and the air needs to be circulated in the enclosure by several small fans to ensure even-ness of temperature distribution. 47°C for 85 minutes is required.
Freezing can be used for comb honey or empty combs of any type -15°C to -20°C for 72 hours is my 'belt and braces' recommendation, but I have seen shorter times and higher temperatures quoted. If empty comb is used and the cold air is rapidly circulated by fans, much shorter times, say 5 or 6 hours can be used.
Bacillus Thuringenisis (BT)(Certan®) is available in UK and is a microbial bacteria that can kept alive by culturing in milk after macerating affected larvae.
{DIY Moth traps} will help, but will not give total control.
Biological Control... Trichogramma wasps that are used commercially in green houses will control wax moth larvae, but they have to reach a particular size before the wasps will parasitise them, so some damage to combs is inevitable before control is gained.
This post was made by David Brandon to a discussion group...
"I have found that by placing a layer of tobacco leaves between boxes of brood comb (in storage) and placing a lid on top, I no longer have problems with wax moth."
Percussive shock... I heard a story from an old timer that said waxmoth were susceptible to the sharp blast of pressure caused by firing a blank starting pistol inside a hive body. I tried this out on the occasion covered in the {bucket of waxmoth} saga. I used .22 rimfire blanks and 9 mm black powder blanks. Both sizes caused a few adult moths to fall out of the boxes stone dead with their legs in the air. When I tried this I did not have the presence of mind to fire duplicate shots in the same box or to fire a 9 mm after firing a .22. Although this appears to work it is not cost effective and is time consuming. Nor can I be sure that all moths in the box were killed.
Desiccating atmosphere... It is thought that wax moth eggs need a moist atmosphere to hatch. Therefore the addition of desiccants to the various methods would probably improve them as treatment against the waxmoth.
