STOP Wax Moths in your beehive | Beekeeping 101

[@donbearden1953]

Jason, you are so right! I bought a new one last month because I was letting my bees draw out extra comb and I freeze any that’s had brood in it for a couple of days before storing with moth crystals and I like to keep some frames of honey stored in case they consume all of their stores up before spring. Having my own means the wife no longer has a right to complain! lol

[@MikeBarryBees]

You’d is so clean. Makes me want to clean mine. Well, going to add that to my to-do list. Great teaching!!

[@BohemiaBees]

Shhh 🤫 I cleaned it for the video 😉

[@CastleHives]

Always a great idea freezing frames. I gotta get moving on Winter prep.

[@BohemiaBees]

Yes sir

[@gallowaylights]

That is a chilling idea, once frozen can you remove and store outside freezer with no fear of moths? Do I need to keep in bag etc. to keep new pests from getting in?

[@BohemiaBees]

Yes after 48 hours everything is dead. Put combs in a strong hive and they will clean it up.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

Here is also something that will help out a lot after you freeze your frames . Pull them out of freezer an let them throw out then find you some tooth picks that has a flat end on one end and use that flat end to trace the damage comb and the lines in the wax . You can clean out ALL the wax moth damage with OUT doing damage to a bunch of wax comb . It cuts out just the bad parts . WORKS GREAT . Straight edges . Try it

[@BohemiaBees]

Great tip

[@joanndryoel167]

Is The snake root plants near my hive attracting moths? 2:58

[@BohemiaBees]

Shouldn’t be. Wax moths are attracted to a weak hive and open combs with pollen in them

[@noahriding5780]

How do you guys keep colonies from smothering to death when the snow comes? I keep wondering about this... if you have more than 1 yard then you can't be there every time it snows. And I keep seeing the entrances do get covered by snow easily, especially with a really small entrance, which you need both for robbing before snow hits and to keep them alive to conserve heat. Many of you have yards so spread out there's no way you can check them everyday to keep entrances clear. Then you also have big snow drifts, deep snow in some areas. Thank you for the video. I really don't like wax moths either.

[@BohemiaBees]

Noah many times the heat of a strong colony melts the entrance open. We also keep our colonies a min of 18” off the ground. Except for a few on pallets. So unless we get a blizzard they are not under snow. And again most of the time if that entrance is blocked for a few days they are fine.

[@IDVDalot]

Help! I have this problem with all 10 frames in 1 deep. My small colony moved out and the moths took over every frame. A few days ago a new colony showed up and moved in. I checked it today and saw that every frame is is taken over. So since there are bees in there what do I do to clean up when the bees want to " bee there"

[@tatkinsful]

Do you put them straight back in the hive next year or clean them up ???

[@scotthenderson4376]

I had a hive get destroyed by wax moths I froze everything stripped all the comb. Plan on soaking in bleach water to loosen any stuck pollen and scrub it off. Question is can the boxes be re used as they have divits due to the moths eating it. Looks like a golf course if a golfer went nuts with a driver

[@BohemiaBees]

Yes boxes can be reused. Torch the areas with moth damage and the bees will likely propolize the divots

[@TedMaloney]

Do you need to scrape the comb off later or will the bees clean them up?

[@BohemiaBees]

It depends on how bad the comb is. Sometimes it’s better to error on the side of starting over but remember it takes a lot of energy to build comb. So whatever you can leave that isn’t too bad. The better edge you bees will have to rebuild it.

[@HigimuraStudios]

At what temperature does the freezer need to be for the 48hours to ensure that the pests are dead?

[@BohemiaBees]

Honestly I don’t know. Just that it’s cold enough to freeze water

[@motleydigger]

What if you don't have access to the freezing method?

[@normaspradlin3230]

I agree! I don’t have a freezer or room for one. Any other options?

[@taylorboysoutdoors]

Yep good tool

[@motleydigger]

How can i prevent wax moths? I know one thing is you don't want a hive too big for your hive so you can notice before it gets out of hand

[@BohemiaBees]

A strong hive and full sun is your best line of defense

[@GrammyMidwife]

I need another freezer! 😳🙄

[@BohemiaBees]

It’s a critical tool

[@Sassycowgirl17]

They also smell horrible

[@BohemiaBees]

Agreed 👍🏻