Wax Moths: How to Keep Them Out Of Your Beehives

Wax moths can cause a lot of damage but it does not have to pose a challenge if you know how to deal with them, and either control or prevent an attack.

What types of wax moths attack beehives?

Wax moths exist in two species; the Greater wax moth, whose botanical name is Galleria mellonella, and the Lesser wax moth, also known as Achroia grisella.

Though they are active hives’ pests, there are opportunistic and therefore take advantage of poorly maintained hives that are either diseased or those with declining colonies.

An infestation is an indication of an underlying problem with the colony. They prefer eating unprocessed beeswax; larval honeybees’ remains, pollen, honey bee, and cocoon silk.

Characteristics and life cycle of wax moths

The greater wax moth measures 1.5 inches long, while the lesser wax moth 0.5 inches in length. The greater wax moth is mottled grey, but the Lesser wax moth is whitish silver.

Both species prefer to mate at night and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on hive debris and wax, and as they feed on discarded cocoons, they leave a sticky white web challenging to pull apart.

The larvae become cocoons after approximately 19 days, if in warm weather after which the pupae become adult moths after 14 days.

Can you tell if your hive has a wax moth infestation?

The most defining feature of a wax moth infested hive is the sticky web that is almost impossible to tear down.

The moths leave behind this web until they consume all the wax. Moreover, you can see some larvae crawling around the comb’s surface and faces, which are small black cylinders, on the surface of the bottom board.

To what extent do Wax moths damage a hive?

Wax moths attack hives with weak colonies and cause large-scale damage. They hinder the colony’s ability to store food and raise their brood by destroying the honeycomb. Within a couple of weeks, a hive can be completely devastated and lost.

In a healthy colony, they barely do any harm because bees patrol the hives regularly and remove wax that has wax moth larvae in it thus protecting the hive.

If you notice wax moths, you should know the underlying problem starting with any hindrances to an increase in bee population.

Keeping wax moths away from stored honeycombs

Honeycomb is a valuable resource because honeybees can refill a drawn comb and eliminate the need to build from scratch, which implies that you as the beekeeper and the colony enjoy a larger honey harvest.

It would, therefore, be a shame to improperly store the honeycombs after all the time bees have put in their construction and the money you have invested in your hives.

You can use these two methods to protect your honeycombs from wax moths:

Freezing frames- wax moth larvae will not survive in freezing temperatures; therefore, you should put your frames in a plastic bag. Place the bag in a freezer for two days after which you store them in an airtight storage container.

Ventilation and Light – wax moths love tiny dark places with minimal air circulation. You should, therefore, store your frames in a well-lit area with plenty of ventilation to create an environment unsuitable for the wax moths.

If you have an infestation, placing the frames in direct sunlight will force the larvae to exit the honeycomb.

If you prefer storing your frames in supers, ensure they you place them in an area with sufficient light and lots of space between supers to allow for maximum air circulation when not in use.

Make your wax moth trap

Prevention is always better than cure, they say. You should, therefore, make it your goal to keep moths away from your hive and avoid dealing with an infestation later, by trapping them before they can get to your hive.

What you need:

• 2-litre plastic bottle
• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup vinegar
• One banana peel
• Drill

Method

Using the drill, make a 1-inch hole on the bottle’s neck, below the slope. Pour the hot water into the bottle; add the sugar and the vinegar.

Mix thoroughly and then add the banana peel to the bottle.

Cap it and wait for several days for it to ferment. Once it does, tie it to a tree close to the hives so that it draws the wax moths away from the gives.

They will enter the bottle through the hole and drown in the liquid thus preventing damage.

Conclusion

Wax moths can cause massive losses for you and your bees, but with the proper storage of honeycombs and maintenance of hives, you can prevent an infestation.

With the above tips to trap moths and store combs, your hives will be safe, and your colonies will remain large enough for you to enjoy a bumper harvest.

Click on Image to Buy

New Beekeeping Journal Helps Beekeepers Keep Track of All Their Beekeeping Activity.

This Beekeeper Journal has been written for both the beginning beekeeper and experienced beekeepers.

With this Beekeeping Journal you will be able to:

• Become a more organized beekeeper.
• Record your observations.
• Keep notes and records of your hive activity.
• Compile and check off beehive to-do lists.
• Read through some common questions and answers relating to beekeeping.
• Learn from your previous experiences.

With abundant lined pages, you will have plenty of space to write down your thoughts about current hive conditions and future plans.

 The author is Jack Corcoran, who has been a beekeeper for years and is President of Buzz Beekeeping Supplies.

This Beekeeping Journal is available on Amazon.com 

The best way to reward yourself for your (and your precious bees) hard work is to put to good use the gorgeous honey they’ve been making all year long.

If you thought butter couldn’t get any better, just wait until you try this recipe. You’ll fall in love! You’ll put it on anything andeverything in your pantry.

Personally, I like salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter and add a little bit of sea salt to it, which is key to bringing out the flavors. Taste until its to your liking.

Make sure that the butter is soft, the beat with a mixer for one minute or until light and fluffy.

Then, mix in the honey until combined and transfer it to a jar or container.

This will keep covered in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

When serving, bring it to room temperature so it’s easier to spread. Feel free to drizzle a little extra on top.

The list below is our personal favorite foods to top with this delicious condiment:

• fresh bread
• toast
• biscuits
• cornbread
• rolls
• muffins
• pancakes
• French toast
• waffles
• sweet potatoes

Try it for yourself, and taste the difference!

The bee population is declining, and beekeepers need to conserve the remaining numbers and provide a right environment for repopulation.

However, they cannot do so without facing these common beekeeping challenges for which this article also suggests solutions:

Stings

Bees sense fear and focus their attack on the face, therefore, wear protective gear which comprises a bee suit, bee veil, and canvas gloves.

You should also avoid perfumes since it can attract the bees’ curiosity or irritate them.

Moreover, bees do not like dark clothing so you should wear tan or white clothing when going to visit your hives.

Remember to smoke them so that to make the docile and carry on your work with confidence. However, with time, they will sting you less when you get used to each other.

Insects

Mites weaken and kill hives, while wax moths destroy the brood comb. You should regularly maintain your hive so that you can control them.

Unhealthy Colony

Bees get sick too from a range of problems you may not understand if you are new to the practice but seeking help from experienced beekeepers will solve the problem.

Urban Area Resistance

Not everyone in your neighborhood loves bees, and they may try to scare them away.

Teach the neighbors how to respond to bees for safety purposes, or move to a rural location away from people.

Also, follow the proper regulations if living in a city, which requires a permit for beekeeping.

Lack of Persistence

Every endeavor requires persistence for it to succeed. Keeping bees is no different and even if you fail in the first few attempts, do not give up, maybe the next time you try will be the successful one.

Learn to Catch a Swarm

Bees move in swarms and if you want to split hives that is the best time to catch them since they are usually calm and less likely to sting.

Being around other beekeepers will help the bees to find a home thus increase your number of hives quickly.

Honey Collecting

Honey is healthy, but bees do not let you have it without putting up a fight. You must, therefore, learn how to collect it without upsetting the bees and have the energy to carry the honey boxes since depending on your hives; the honey collected can be in large volumes.

Beekeeping Equipment

Know how to use the equipment. As with every trade, beekeeping comes with its own set of tools; therefore, you should learn how to properly use the equipment which includes a smoker, hive tool and a bee brush among others.

Bee-Friendly Flowers

Bees make their honey from nectar, which they can only obtain from flowers.

You should, therefore, create a friendly environment for them by planting pollen-rich flowers and avoid using pesticides to have safe honey in the end.

Many people are embracing bee farming, and if one follows the above tips to overcome the setbacks, then bees will begin to increase their numbers, which will also be for our benefit.

There’s a fascination worth pursuing when it comes to bees.

They are an amazing, yet small, and very hardworking insect.

Are you dreaming of beekeeping?

There are beekeeping specific tools and equipment that will be necessary as you begin this journey.

Consider an apiary starter kit as you begin this captivating hobby.

A place where bees or a colony of bees is kept is called an apiary.

An apiary starter kit is a wise purchase as you begin with beekeeping.

Many times the starter kit will be cheaper, but the components may not be of the highest quality.

Components to Consider for Beekeeping

1. Hive System

This usually consists of hive boxes called supers or deeps.

There are various depths depending if they are for the workers or the queen bee.

Within this box there are hive frames, with 10 frames being standard. These hive frames will fill with honey.

If weight is a concern, you may use small or medium supers, which will weigh less than deep supers when filled with honey.

2. Personal Protective Equipment

Keeping a calm demeanor while around the bees is just as important as utilizing protective equipment.

It’s important to have leather beekeeping gloves. These will allow you to work with the bees, and if they attempt to sting you, the leather’s thickness will protect you from it. Ventilated gloves are recommended for warmer climates.

Another great choice for protection is the beekeeping jacket. This jacket has cuffed sleeves to keep bees out, is comfortable and allows movement. It should also have an attached hooded, veil to protect the face from the bees.

Many beekeepers prefer a full beekeeping suit, which covers you from head to ankle.

Things to consider when buying a beekeeping suit:

• Make sure the zippers are high quality – A broken zipper can result in getting stung.
• Pockets – Deep pockets are preferred, so everything doesn’t fall out when you bend over to work you hive.
• Veil – The veil should stay in place. You should not have to wear a hat to secure the veil.
• Neck collar – A collar inside the veil will prevent bee stings on you neck.

Protective clothing is important for your own safety and enjoyment and should not be overlooked.

3. Hive Tool

A must have tool for the beekeeper is a lifter and scraper tool This tool makes lifting out the frames and scraping the beeswax easier. They are a sturdy tool that resembles the letter j, and have a sharpened edge.

4. Bee Hive Smoker

Smokers are often used to calm the bees while working in the hive. Bees use pheromones to communicate. When they are alarmed they send hormones out to communicate with the others and soon the entire hive is angry and on alert.

With the use of a smoker, it masks the pheromones. The bees stay calm and you are able to go about your work in the hive.

It is often best to spend a little more and buy a decent hive smoker, as the cheap ones tend to warp from the heat.

5. Bees

A beehive wouldn’t be very useful without the bees. These can be purchased several ways.

One option is as packaged bees. They are mailed as worker bees with one queen. They are sold by the pound and are shipped in a small wood box.

A second option is to purchase a nuc bee colony. This is a nucleus colony from a nearby beekeeper. It consists of four or five frames with broods and bees and an actively laying queen.

All that is needed is to place the whole frames into your hive and you will have a head start to your new colony. This nuc colony usually adapts very well.

These five components will aid you on your journey into beekeeping. Once established, there are other items to consider.

Items such as a reference book, spacing tool, bee brush and a queen-excluder are all useful, but not necessary to get started.

An apiary starter kit that includes the above items will have you beekeeping in just a short time.

Honey has natural enzymes and nutrients, which are of medical and health benefits. It has thus been used as a remedy for years.

Honey still holds on its popularity gaining usefulness in hospitals as its used to treat wounds. All these advantages are however scaled down to unpasteurized honey.

Honey found in grocery stores is processed by the manufactures. This helps to remove unwanted crystals and improve the texture and color. Bacteria’s and beneficial antioxidants are also removed.

If you must go for raw honey, purchase it from a known producer.

Below are more uses of raw honey:

Reliable Source of Antioxidants

Raw honey has antioxidants known as phenolic compounds. Other types have as many antioxidants as those in vegetables and fruits.

Antioxidants are helpful in protecting one’s body from cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for heart disease, cancer, and aging.

Polyphenols in honey have been known to prevent heart diseases.

Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties

With raw honey containing hydrogen peroxide, which is an antiseptic, it kills fungus and bacteria’s.

Manuka honey has been used by European hospitals in the fight against bacterial infection (MRSA) resistant to antibiotics.

The type of honey dictates the effectiveness of the antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Heal Wounds

Manuka raw honey which has natural hydrogen peroxide is a germ killer effective in treating wounds. The honey reduces healing time and infections.

The honey used in the medical setup is, however, a medical grade.

Contains Phytonutrients

These are nutrients that protect the plant from damage.

They help the plant from their enemies and UV radiations that are harmful. Phytonutrients provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which keep you in perfect health.

Honey has been a product of plants thus contains these nutrients.

Helps in Digestion

Raw honey has been known to treat diarrhea though the research is still not authenticated. Helicobacter pylori are also treated with ram, honey.

Take 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey on an empty stomach to relieve stomach pains and induce healing.

Soothe a Sore Throat

Raw honey serves to reduce sore throats. Add a teaspoonful of raw honey to your hot tea with lemon to suppress coughs and soothe sore throats.

Raw honey just as dextromethorphan suppresses coughs by taking one or two teaspoons.

Is it risky?

Harmful bacteria such as botulism may be present in honey. This is risky for children under the age of one year.

Botulism is known for causing food poisoning of fever, nausea, and vomiting in adults. Consult your physician if you take raw honey and get persistent symptoms.

Honey is an ultimate solution to a cough or a sore throat.

It is in Cairo at 2400 B.C that first beekeeping can be traced. Many cultures including the Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks have used honey as food and medicine for long.

Honey is mostly used as a sweetener. Its composed of 70-80% sugar with the rest been proteins, minerals, and water. However, honey has many unrealized benefits which include:

Burns

Mayo clinic reveals that honey is a good cure for burns. It helps heal burns within a very short time. Unlike other treatment options like the use of silver sulfadiazine, honey is known for sterilizing wounds in a shorter duration and enhancing healing.

Memory

Menopausal and postmenopausal women recorded improved memory after using honey. Women taking honey to surpass memory increment against women who use progestin and estrogen hormone therapies.

Herpes

According to a research done in Dubai, honey is effective in the treatment of genital and oral herpes. Honey serves the purpose of healing lesions just as ointments in the chemists and has the pus of reducing discomfort.

Diabetes

With honey having a lower glycemic index as compared to sugar, the blood level in your blood won’t go high once you use it. You can also use fewer sweeteners in food once you use honey as its sweet enough. Using honey instead of sugars will keep your blood sugar level balanced.

Cancer

Due to its antioxidant properties, the big question has been the ability of honey to treat and prevent cancer. A study done in Iran in 2011 raised concern over how honey can halt the multiplication of cancer cells hence intensifying the research on its usefulness.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are characterized by blood in the stool, pain, and itching of the anus. Honey is an appropriate remedy and more so a mixture of bee wax and olive oil.

Wounds 

For centuries, honey has dressed wounds. Mayo Clinic suggests that honey heals wounds, reduce pain, treat wounds after surgery, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Honey be superior to other dressing agents though the wounds will dictate.

Fertility

Honey has been known to boosts fertility to men and women. Through research was done in 2013 in Nigeria, giving honey to mice increased their sperm count though an excess of it was still harmful

Psoriasis

This skin condition is characterized by itching, redness, lesions, and blisters. Though treatment with Vitamin D and corticosteroids creams work, honey is more effective. Using a mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil is an ultimate solution to itching, scaling, and redness.

Varroa Mite Control – Dealing with Varroa mites at some stage becomes unavoidable if you are considering being a beekeeper or are one already.

Varroa mites also called Varroa destructors owe their origin to the United States where they first showed up in the western honey bees, biological named Apis mellifera, in the late 1980s.

Varroa mites are invasive and relatively harmless since the eastern honey bees, biological named Apis cerana, evolved so Varroa mites can be better handled through improved grooming practices.

The species Varroa mites are parasitic in nature and can easily damage any hive in more than one way.

In the United States, Varroa mites are famous for eradicating many feral bee colonies and have become a big problem form beekeepers who keep hives.

Their working model is very simple. A Varroa mite first latches on to a bee, then feeds on its blood like a parasite and transmits viruses through the blood. When it leaves the bee’s body, it leaves open wounds on the bee and moves to find more bees to feed upon.

Many a time, as a beekeeper you may not be aware whether your hives have a Varroa mite problem or not.

It is safe to say that most hives have at least some Verroa mites living in them. As such they do not cause a threat until their population is below a certain number. This safe population level is called the action or the economic threshold.

One of the ways you can reduce the population of Verroa mites in your hives is through sugar dusting. This process makes the surface dusty temporarily, which makes it difficult for the mites’ feet to move.

In an attempt to clean them of the dust, some mites dislodge themselves and fall loose.

This eventually helps them to fall into a trap that you have set for them to successfully remove them from your hive and never damage it again.

Sugar dusting is a very simple yet effective method. All you need to do is fill a baby powder bottle with powdered sugar and dust both sides of your hive’s frame fully.

Using this method, Verroa mites are not killed fully but when this method is used in combination with others such as drone foundation, it is found to drastically decrease the population of Verroa mites in your hive.

However, prevention is always better than cure. As a beekeeper, your aim should always be to be vigilant and perform regular hive inspections to look for potential Verroa mites’ threats.

• Has anything changed since the last inspection?
• Are the bees more active now?
• Is there still a queen in your hive?
• How does your hive smell?

Answers to all these questions will prevent your hive from a possible attack from Verroa mites.

Bee researchers have also found out that bees from certain hives are hygienic and better in cleaning dead cells from the hive.

When buying queens for your hive, always look for the hygienic queens that have been selectively bred from good hives to exhibit hygienic behaviors.

In natural comb building, bees build for the immediate present, with no evidence of a plan for the needs of the future.

When comb building begins, worker cells are built so long as the queen continues promptly to lay eggs in the new cells.

When first built, combs are light yellow or almost white in color, but after brood is reared in the cells the comb is darkened by the “cocoons” left by the brood.

The color varies with the sources of honey and pollen at the time the comb is being built.

It is also known that waxes vary similarly in certain physical properties.

These so-called cocoons consist of larval skins and excreta, with the possible addition of a portion of the delicate silken cocoon.

These deposits increase with successive rearings of brood until the bases of the cells are appreciably thickened while the outer parts of the side walls remain practically unmodified in size.

If an old comb is soaked in water the layers of deposits may be readily separated.

The combs are also darkened by deposits of propolis on the cappings of honey cells and the tops of combs are often strengthened by deposits of this substance, especially when the combs are attached to rough wood, as in a hollow log.

Excerpted and edited from:

Beekeeping; a discussion of the life of the honeybee … 1915. Phillips, Everett Franklin, 1878-1951.