The most reliable way to prevent wax moth infestation is to freeze your stored honeycomb. This process kills all stages of the wax moth life cycle—eggs, larvae, and pupae—that may be present in the comb. Whether you are storing frames to reuse in the hive or have packaged cut comb honey for consumption, freezing is the definitive step to protect your valuable resources.
The core challenge isn't just killing existing wax moths; it's preventing re-infestation. A successful strategy involves a two-step process: first, exterminating any pests by breaking their life cycle, and second, creating a secure storage environment they cannot penetrate.
Understanding Your Adversary: The Wax Moth
To effectively control a pest, you must understand its nature and life cycle. Wax moths are a natural and persistent part of the beekeeping environment.
The Target: What Moths Seek
Greater and lesser wax moths are not interested in honey. Their primary food source is the protein found in pollen, shed larval skins, and cocoons left behind in the beeswax comb. This is why they are most destructive in old brood comb, but they will readily infest honey supers as well.
The Life Cycle: From Egg to Destruction
The adult moth lays eggs in dark crevices within the hive or storage area. These eggs hatch into larvae, which is the destructive stage. The larvae tunnel through the comb, consuming wax, pollen, and debris while leaving behind a path of silk webbing and waste. Left unchecked, they will reduce a perfect honeycomb to a web-filled, foul-smelling ruin.
The Gold Standard: Freezing and Sealing
Freezing is the safest and most effective method for beekeepers to control wax moths in stored comb. It leaves no chemical residue and is 100% effective when done correctly.
The Freezing Protocol
To ensure all life stages are killed, place your frames or packaged honeycomb in a deep freezer. The combs must reach a temperature of 0°F (-18°C) for at least 48 hours. For thicker combs or densely packed boxes, extending this to 72 hours is a safe precaution.
The Critical Second Step: Sealed Storage
Freezing kills the pests currently on the comb, but it does not prevent a new adult moth from laying eggs on it later. After the combs have been thoroughly frozen and thawed, you must immediately place them in secure, airtight storage.
Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags (doubled up) or sealed plastic totes are excellent options. The goal is to create a physical barrier that adult moths cannot breach.
Understanding the Trade-offs and Alternatives
While freezing is the best method, logistical challenges like limited freezer space may require you to consider alternatives.
Viable Alternative: Light and Airflow
Wax moth larvae thrive in dark, warm, stagnant environments. You can disrupt their preferences by storing combs in a way that maximizes light and ventilation.
Stack supers crisscross style on their ends, or hang individual frames on racks with space between them. This should be done in a well-lit and airy room, like a barn or shed with open windows (screens are essential to keep new moths out). This method makes the combs an unattractive place for moths to lay eggs.
The Risk of Chemical Treatments
Traditional methods involved chemical fumigants like Paradichlorobenzene (PDB). However, these chemicals are no longer recommended. They can be absorbed by the wax and honey, posing a risk to both bees and human consumers.
Never use mothballs. Mothballs contain naphthalene, which is highly toxic and illegal to use on honeycomb. It will permanently contaminate your equipment and can kill your bees.
Biological Control: Btk
Bacillus thuringiensis (Btk) is a naturally occurring bacterium sold under brand names like Certan or Xantari. It is sprayed on combs before storage and only affects wax moth larvae, being harmless to bees and humans. However, it is a preventative, not a treatment for an existing infestation, and it is primarily used for empty drawn comb, not honey-filled supers.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Your storage strategy depends on what you are storing and why.
- If your primary focus is storing cut comb or extracted honey for consumption: Freezing is the only acceptable method. It ensures the product is safe and pest-free with no chemical residue.
- If your primary focus is storing a large number of drawn combs for hive reuse: Freezing followed by sealed storage is the most reliable option. If freezer space is a constraint, the light-and-airflow method is a proven, chemical-free alternative, though it is not as foolproof.
Protecting your combs is a crucial step in safeguarding the health of your hives and the quality of your harvest.
Summary Table:
| Prevention Method | Key Action | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Standard | Freeze at 0°F (-18°C) for 48-72 hours, then seal in airtight containers. | All comb types, especially honey for consumption. |
| Light & Airflow | Store combs with space between them in a well-lit, ventilated area. | Drawn comb for hive reuse when freezer space is limited. |
| Biological (Btk) | Spray on empty drawn comb before storage to target larvae. | Preventative treatment for brood comb. |
Protect your apiary's investment with the right supplies. HONESTBEE supplies commercial apiaries and beekeeping equipment distributors with the durable, wholesale-grade storage solutions needed to implement these prevention strategies effectively. From heavy-duty storage totes to equipment for handling large volumes of comb, we provide the tools for success. Contact our expert team today to discuss your specific needs and ensure your combs stay safe.
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