I have recently discovered that my hive has left due to a massive wax moth infestation. I have pulled my hive apart and now starting the process of cleaning. I have dismantled the super flow frames and cleaned them with hot water (under 70C) however not all of the wax is coming off the flow frames. I plan on putting them all back together and freezing them so I can make sure all wax moth remnants are gone.
My main question is: Is it ok to leave some wax behind in the flow frames provided it’s not diseased?
Hi and welcome! I spray equipment for storage with aizawai strain of Bt, bacillus thuringensis, which is sold under the brand name XenTari. It’s harmless to bees and humans but kills wax moth larvae as they hatch and begin to eat the wax. You still need to handle it with great care as it will also kill larvae of butterflies and moths you don’t want to harm. I make a spray bottle’s worth at a time and do all the spraying inside my shed.
Here’s a link for buying in the US to give you an idea of what it is, pretty sure you can get it in Aus too:
Another option is to freeze your Fframes 24-48 hours, which should kill eggs that might be left behind. Handle them with care until they come back to room temp, since they’ll be more brittle when cold.
Xen Tari Bt is sold in Australia by Sumitomo Chemical. Unfortunately, use for wax moth is not approved. As with all.agricultural treatments, the label is the law and is only for crop moths. It’s a shame, because looks perfect for wax moth. The nanny state strikes again.
