How to get rid of wax moth in a beehive with bees: ways to fight and the best means for processing

The wax moth, or moth, is a small butterfly that has a modest color. It is considered one of the most dangerous enemies of bees. Therefore, many are interested in how to get rid of wax moths in a hive with bees. The safest way to fight is the use of biological agents. Chemical preparations and folk recipes also help to destroy pests.

What is the danger of a pest for bees?

The wax moth is the most massive and dangerous pest of bees. It belongs to the firefly family. The pest is found everywhere. It prevails in areas where beekeeping is well developed.

This butterfly does a lot of damage to beekeepers. It affects weakened families and tinder fungi. Layers that have been incorrectly formed are also at risk. The pest lays its eggs at night. Voracious larvae subsequently appear from them. They infiltrate the cell store. These pests feed on honey, perga, and honeycombs.

During the season, three generations of moths can destroy up to 500 kilograms of land. If the parasite enters the hive, the queen stops laying eggs and the workers do not produce honey. When insects appear, bees begin to fight them. However, in a few hours, pests become very numerous. If measures are not taken in time, the bee colony will leave the hive. To protect dryness, it is important to use special products.

Causes and signs of appearance

The following factors lead to the appearance of parasites:

• violation of cleanliness in the hives;
• weakening of bee colonies;
• no uterus;
• increased temperature in the winter hut;
• high humidity;
• untimely removal of dead bees from hives.

Bee houses need to be cleaned frequently. Often, during harvesting, larvae and excrement of the wax moth are found in bee bread. In this case, you need to empty the hive, clean it well and disinfect it.

To identify the invasion of moths, you should pay attention to the following signs:

• slowing down the summer of bees - while all the forces of the family are aimed at fighting parasites;
• presence of pests thrown out by bees near hives;
• appearance of bees with cobwebs on their bodies;
• grouping insects near the notch - while they do not fly out;
• presence of moth butterflies in the apiary;
• accumulation of debris on the bottom - it includes cobwebs, particles of honeycombs, caterpillars and butterflies.

Methods for getting rid of wax moth

To deal with the wax moth, it is acceptable to use different methods. For this, biological and chemical methods are used. Folk recipes are also very effective.

Biological method

This option is considered the safest. It is based on the use of plants, the aroma of which repels parasites, and bacteria that can fight moths. To destroy pests, you should use the following:

• Walnut leaves. They should be mixed with dry hops and sprinkled on frames with dry hops when storing them in the winter.
• Mint. If you place this plant in a cell store, it will help repel insects and protect the dry land from moths. It is also possible to protect against larvae by treating the hives with a solution made from peppermint.

An even more effective remedy for the fight against caterpillars is the drug "Biosafe". It includes spores of Bacillus thuringiensis. This substance must be mixed with water and applied to the honeycomb. The drug gives effect within a year after spraying. The first results will appear in a day.

Mechanical method

To fight parasites, you can simply shake the larvae out of the honeycombs. The frame must be pulled out of the hive and cleaned of parasites with a light tap. Dropped larvae are recommended to be destroyed immediately.

Chemicals

Chemical agents are recommended to be used very carefully, strictly following the instructions. It is important to consider that many products leave traces on honey. They are dangerous not only for parasites, but also for bees. Effective remedies include the following:

• Stopmol plates - you need to hang them between the frames. As weathering, they are replaced by others.
• Use of OKEBM gases or methyl bromide - substances are used during the day. It is also acceptable to use carbon dioxide concentrations from 95 to 98.5%.
• Formalin, carbon disulfide or paradichlorobenzene - they can be used to process frames for destroying eggs.
• "Endobacterin" - the drug is used by spraying.
• "Dendrobacillin", "Insectin", "Turingin" - these agents have a detrimental effect on pests, but are not dangerous for beneficial insects.
• "Ascomolin" - this substance is required to be applied over hives with frames. It is recommended to use 10 tablets per 1 frame.
• "Paradichlorobenzene" - the drug should be placed between cells.
• "Tymol" - is used for double treatment with an interval of 5-10 days. To do this, it must be applied to the upper strips - 0.25 grams per 1 frame.

It is worth considering that when working with chemicals, it is imperative to use protective equipment.

Gloves, gown, glasses can be used for this purpose. This helps prevent the product from getting on the skin and mucous membranes. After handling the hives, wash your hands well.

Using s alt

To prevent moths, you can use a saline solution. To do this, honeycombs freed from honey are recommended to be dried and treated with a s alt solution on both sides. It needs to be made strong enough.

After drying, excess s alt is recommended to be removed. In combs treated with s alt, moths do not start. With the advent of spring, honeycombs should be sprinkled with water. This is done before they are installed in the hives. This procedure will provide the bee colony with the required amount of s alt.

Fumigation

Smoke attack kills wax moth caterpillars. However, the rate of extermination is affected by the source of the smoke. In order not to damage the honeycomb, it is recommended to use a regular smoker.

To carry out the fumigation procedure, you should do the following:

• Place frames in cell storage.
• Inject smoke through the bottom hole.
• Fumigate the room during the day.

Smoke attacks are recommended to be carried out 2 times a year. This is required to be done in spring and autumn. A total of 3 fumigations should be done at 1 week intervals.

To deal with pests faster, it is recommended to use tobacco smoke. It helps to cope with the larvae of parasites and repels butterflies. Sulfur fumigation also kills moths. However, the intense sulphurous smell can also scare away the bees.

Special gas mixtures have a pronounced toxic effect. Therefore, their use is recommended to be trusted by specialists.

Freezing and heating

Temperature influences are highly effective, since the mole at all stages of development retains its vital activity only at specific values. So, storing combs at a temperature of -10 degrees for 3 days helps to completely get rid of the larvae. Heating up to +50 degrees gives a similar effect.

Vapours of acetic or formic acid

To remove the wax moth, you can place a container with formic or acetic acid on the bottom of the box with frames. The box must be securely closed, and the cracks must be sealed with sealant. Active substances are well weathered. This treatment does not scare away the bees.

Folk ways

If a wax moth is wound up in the hive, you can use folk remedies. To keep the bees he althy, it is worth using plants whose smell is not tolerated by pests. These include:

• mint;
• melissa;
• marigolds;
• thyme;
• black root;
• immortelle;
• elderberry;
• wormwood.

The combination of these plants enhances the effect and gives positive results. Herbs can be planted near beehives or laid out dry in a cell store. Also, the moth does not tolerate the smell of printing ink. Therefore, to maintain the he alth of the bee colony, fresh newspapers can be put in the hives.

Ordinary garlic is considered an excellent remedy for combating wax moth. To protect the hive for a long period of time, it is enough to cut one slice into several parts and put it in the hive.

Tobacco will also help to cope with the wax moth. To do this, during the flowering period, the plant must be cut at the root and laid out between the honeycombs. One bush is enough to process three hulls.

Prevention

To avoid wax moth infestation, it is recommended to follow these rules:

• provide the conditions for creating strong bee colonies;
• keep hives in good condition;
• keep the hive and the apiary clean and tidy;
• fumigate the cell with sulfur for 24 hours, then repeat the procedure after 2 weeks;
• ensure good ventilation and the required air dryness;
• keep the cell storage temperature at +10 degrees;

• replace a third of the cells every year with rebuilt ones;
• keep wax in tightly closed containers;
• make grooves with water around the bee house - this will help to avoid the spread of larvae between the hives;
• Pack stored beekeeping material in transparent bags to detect wax moth in a timely manner;
• clean pallets regularly when using tick traps and dispose of debris;
• destroy damaged cells.

It is important to consider that it is impossible to use sulfur in the presence of honey in the combs. The fact is that sulfur substances can harm bees.

Wax moth is a very dangerous pest that can lead to the death of bee colonies. To cope with parasites, you can use a variety of methods. In order for the processing of hives to be effective, it is important to strictly follow the instructions.

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