Beehive DEADOUT - Wax Moth DAMAGE - Chickens and Wax Moth Larvae

[@GrammyMidwife]

Had my first experience with wax moths yesterday 😢 Went out to decrease space in my struggling colony and found them. Chickens got a treat though!

[@brucesbees]

Yes it will happen. Chickens do enjoy the nasty things lol.

[@privatebubba8876]

Nothing more satisfying than watching chickens pluck wax moth larva up.

[@brucesbees]

For sure lol! Thanks for watching!

[@jorgeschulz1571]

hi, yes you are right in the cause of this infestation, too much space in autumn time. Here I have seen this when beekeepers do not reduce hive space in winter, bees stay down during cold time and wax moths begin a party on top boxes. Would be good if you could get a steam wax melter, to recycle your frames. Beekeeping is learning, saludos!!!

[@brucesbees]

Thanks for checking in Jorge. Hope all is well down there in South America!!!

[@kylepittman2752]

I just love the videos of the wax moth and scraping out all the worms, I watch it over Andover. Sick me

[@donbearden1953]

Thanks Bruce! I have a few boxes and frames that have wax moth battle scars.

[@brucesbees]

Yeah the bees don’t care. Thanks for watching!!!

[@Zbee167]

One of my 2 hives went sour like this. :-( I will also be feeding mine to my chickens. Thanks for sharing.

[@brucesbees]

Yes. They love it!

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

Last fall I loaded fondant in the tops of all my hives. During the early spring one hive did not show sign so I opened it up. It was just starting to fly weather which here means above 40. So all the fondant was still there along with 120 or 30lbs of honey. So whatever I did they either absconded or disappeared right after I fed them. Ended up good for me and bad for them because I got it before wax moths or mice ruined my stuff. This is the second one of these in two years and puzzles the heck out of me as I seem a bad keeper somehow. My other hives are fine but hesitant to give this fondant and just give them syrup.

[@brucesbees]

Sometimes it a mystery. I just clean it up and move on. Was harder to do that when I didn’t have very many hives.

[@jayweddle7993]

Bruce you need to build a steamer for wax moth hives. Box with metal bottom and drain on end. Put screen wire on top, drill hole in the side below screen buy a simple steam box 50 bucks set your box or boxes on it with lid, and concrete block, let the steam roll catch the wax sterlize box and frames. Ps clean frames while hot. I sure wouldn't burn frames unless terrible damage.

[@brucesbees]

Good idea thanks for commenting! Most of these frames were beyond repair.

[@eng.knowledgeseeker]

Dead bee colony is a part of beekeeping Its a given bro man

[@brucesbees]

Yes that is true though I never like it to happen. It does free up some equipment every year though for the next bee season.

[@sentimentalbloke7586]

Wax moths = great chicken feed, I just let the chickens decide, then I clean up later with soapy water

[@brucesbees]

Yes!!!

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

Wish I lived near you I would sterilize by boiling these frames in very hot wax to use since I am so old and try to save stuff but you have so many you can't use the time improperly for your mass numbers since I have only a few. Too expensive to ship and I wouldn't anyway with contamination.

[@brucesbees]

Yes you can reprocess them but sometimes it’s just easier to start over.

[@fayekeller7411]

So sorry you lost a hive!

[@brucesbees]

Yes it is never fun but unfortunately part of beekeeping. Thanks for watching!

[@Les0613]

I hate those disgusting creatures!

[@brucesbees]

Me too!!!